Renovations play an important role in ensuring homes continue to serve the needs of occupants and remain fit for modern living. This year, it is expected that around a third of homeowners will undertake some form of renovation work on their properties to modernise their homes, address maintenance issues and increase property value.
When it comes to making home improvements through renovation, kitchens and bathrooms often get the majority of attention. Likewise, when homeowners are looking to futureproof their homes and increase efficiency to improve value, plumbing and heating systems will be an area of focus.
All of this means that plumbers will have an important role to play in improving homes. To ensure homeowners get value for money, as well as long-term peace of mind through enhanced performance, reliability and efficiency, plumbers need to prioritise quality when undertaking renovation works.
Prioritising quality: what installers need to consider
Improvements made to plumbing and heating systems today will need to stand the test of time, making legislation a core consideration when it comes to upgrading plumbing and heating systems.
The Future Homes Standard, which is due to come into effect in 2025, prioritises the need for highly efficient systems that reduce carbon emissions. As a result, innovations such as heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular as homeowners move towards low-carbon heat sources. But there are even more opportunities for improving homes – and renovation projects provide the ideal opportunities to consider the array of choices that can improve homes for the long-term.
Experienced plumbers will be able to work with homeowners to identify other opportunities that promote efficiency – from centralising pipework and strengthening connections through to installing underfloor heating.
To maximise efficiency of plumbing and heating systems, planning is essential. So, when embarking on renovation projects, it pays to get every detail right. Using plastic push-fit fittings can help plumbers to consistently achieve strong connections, reducing the potential for leaks and improving efficiency. Similarly, centralising pipework – with the use of plastic manifolds – can ensure water is distributed effectively to optimise consumption.
Where heating is concerned, underfloor heating (UFH) systems have soared in popularity in recent years – particularly on renovation projects. Hidden beneath the floor, they heat spaces much more efficiently than traditional radiator systems by eradicating cold spots around rooms. An added benefit of UFH is that it allows homeowners to reclaim wall space that would previously have been occupied by radiators, allowing them to make an aesthetic difference to renovations.
Maximising space
While efficiency is a key consideration on renovation projects, ensuring their longevity, installers will also need to be conscious of maximising space to prioritise the functionality of homes. Here, selecting the right materials for the job is essential.
As we’ve discussed, effectively planning pipework and installing innovations that are hidden from view will all contribute to futureproofing renovations – and they’ll also help to save space. Increasingly, homeowners are looking to maximise the potential of every inch of their property, ensuring functionality for the long-term.
Where UFH is concerned, low-profile systems such as JG LowFit can be installed over existing floors while keeping increases in floor height to an absolute minimum – typically no more than the diameter of a £1 coin. Elsewhere around a plumbing system, the use of push-fit connections such as JG Speedfit can support plumbers to work in more confined spaces and minimise the areas that completed systems will occupy. Key to achieving this is the unique design of push-fit technology, requiring no tools or hot works to successfully make strong, reliable connections time after time.
As well as allowing plumbers to work more quickly and keep renovation projects on track – an important aspect of minimising disruption for homeowners – plastic components and push-fit technology also improve the longevity of systems. This is achieved through the quality of components which can support systems to operate efficiently and reliably for decades to come. As well as improving reliability for homeowners, this can also reduce the need for maintenance and repairs down the line. In practice, that means homeowners’ expectations are met, while elevating system efficiency contributes to the overarching government ambitions around sustainability which are increasingly prominent in plumbers’ work.
Technology designed for the future
With so many factors to consider when delivering high-quality installations, it is important for plumbers to choose components they can rely on. Plastic pipes and fittings are now a go-to solution for many plumbers, providing the durability, flexibility and ease of installation required to successfully meet expectations.
Built on decades of expertise and continuous product development, the range of push-fit pipes and fittings from JG Speedfit delivers everything plumbers need to carry out every job with ease. From ultra-flexible JG Layflat pipe through to innovative push-fit fittings, plumbers are increasingly relying on JG Speedfit to deliver consistently high levels of quality for their customers.
Find out more at www.johnguest.com/gb/en/products/jg-speedfit
