Survey reveals top five reasons for hiring an electrician

New research has revealed the most important factors when selecting and hiring a tradesperson to complete a job. The survey, which was commissioned by BigChange, highlights the importance of customer service, with word of mouth recommendations and positive online reviews coming out as the top two considerations for customers. Interestingly, when asked which platforms they use to find online reviews, Google and TrustPilot (42%) are considered more reliable than trade specific sites, such as TrustATrader and Check-A-Trade (28%). However, all of these mentioned platforms  secured a spot in the top five considerations when hiring for a job. Despite the current economic climate, cost is less of a consideration than recommendations and reviews, suggesting that customers are willing to pay more for a positive experience. The top five reasons for hiring and selecting a tradesperson or business: Recommended by friends, family or a colleague (54%) Great online reviews on platforms such as Google or TrustPilot (42%) Cost (34%) Five-star rating on Google or Trustpilot (29%) Great online reviews on trade sites like Check-a-Trade or Rated People (28%) When it comes to female vs male customers, women are more likely to turn to trade platforms such as Check-a-Trade and Rated People (43%) for reviews, whereas men are more likely to use Google and TrustPilot (41%). Respondents aged 18-44 all agreed that Google and TrustPilot reviews are the most important consideration whereas older respondents (55+) are more concerned with recommendations from friends, family and colleagues. The research also delved into which resources customers use to find a potential tradesperson or business, to which Check-a-Trade (46%) and a network of friends and colleagues (42%) came out on top. The top five resources Brits use to find and select a tradesperson or business: Check-a-trade (46%) Friends/colleagues network (42%) Family network (36%) TrustATrader (29%) Google (22%) When looking at the age breakdown, younger generations (18-54) are more likely to utilise industry sites such as Check-a-trade and TrustATrader as their first port of call, whereas those aged 55 and above selected their friends and colleague network above all else. Ian Burgess, Chief Customer Officer at BigChange, comments, “It’s really interesting and positive for the industry to see that despite the economic climate, customers are willing to pay more for a positive experience. However, this means that creating a customer experience worthy of an online review or positive recommendations is more essential than ever. “There are plenty of things tradespeople can do to tackle this, from a friendly exchange to providing honest and helpful advice, but it really starts with job management and providing an efficient and effective service. Keeping an organised business system and ensuring that all the elements of it, from booking the job in, sending your job sheets automatically and creating your invoice promptly once the job is complete means your team is always in the know, and your customer is informed of arrival times or potential delays in real time. “There’s nothing more frustrating for a customer who has taken the time off work to be home for a job, than sitting around waiting with no information being fed to them. Nail this with your job tracking and you’re already on your way to securing a positive review or recommendation." Click here for more latest news.

Omron relay extends current capacity for EV charging and UPS

Omron Electronic Components Europe has expanded its G7EB high-power relay portfolio, with a new 120A carry type for control and instrumentation applications including PV inverters, electric vehicle charging and uninterruptible power supplies. The new G7EB-1A-E provides the key advantage of heat generation suppression, which reduces contact resistance compared with competitors. The new G7EB-1A-E extends the existing G7EB relay capability by increasing the rated carry current from 100A to 120A and enabling 30000 operations with 40A make/break and 120A carry currents. Increasing demand for data centre capacity entails higher capacity for the relays in associated uninterruptible power supplies. For example, extending 400V three-phase UPS’ from 60 to 80kVA requires increasing relay capacity from 100A up to 120A. AC input applications in electric vehicle charging systems are another target application for these latest G7EB high-power relays. The 120A model is well suited to Mode3 EV chargers operating with single phase 19.2kW for inverter switching. Furthermore, the new relays deliver the 20kW DC charger requirements of DC-output EV chargers using Mode4 and V2H AC input inverter switching. The new G7EB-1A-E relays are available now from the company as well as its partners, authorised stockists and resellers. Click here for more latest news.

Kidde Safety Europe launches new CO2 monitor

Kidde Safety Europe has launched a new carbon dioxide (CO2) monitor to help people to understand and improve indoor air quality in homes, workplaces, schools and hospitality venues. The mains powered non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) monitor complies with the Scottish Building Standards requirements for the mandatory CO2 monitors that must be installed in all homes. Kidde is a part of Carrier Global Corporation. Warning users of rising CO2 levels or abnormal humidity or temperature level changes, the new Kidde CO2 Monitor, which has a 10-year lifespan, provides the current CO2 levels from 400 to 5000ppm (parts per million), as well as a seven day history of CO2 readings. It also shows the current temperature and humidity on the large, easy to read LCD display, which has automatic brightness adjustment to minimise night-time disturbance. The monitor has been designed to provide clear warnings and indications in several different forms. Detailed air quality information is displayed on the LCD screen. As many people will not be familiar with the acceptable ppm for CO2, the Kidde CO2 monitor provides a ‘traffic light’ LED notification to allow easy identification of the current CO2 levels, even from a distance. Green represents 400 to 999ppm, which signals good indoor air quality; orange denotes readings of 1000 to 1499ppm, indicating deteriorating indoor air conditions associated with poor air quality complaints; and red displays for readings above 1500ppm, the level associated with headaches, drowsiness and loss of concentration and where it is necessary to ventilate indoor space as a result. At this level, the monitor’s easily audible built-in alarm clearly alerts occupants to high CO2 levels. For clarity and convenience there is also an optional voice alert, which is available in six selectable languages. The Kidde CO2 Monitor has been designed for easy set up and installation. It works straight out of the box with a built-in automatic 24hr CO2 sensor calibration. The monitor is mains powered with a 12hr rechargeable battery back-up and can be free-standing or wall mounted. “From sick building syndrome to changes in building standards, to updated guidance for schools and workplaces, there has never been more of a focus on air quality, and in particular carbon dioxide,” says Simon Jones, Marketing Manager at Kidde Safety Europe. “CO2, which is often less commonly recognised as an issue compared with particulate matter pollution and carbon monoxide, can have a serious impact on health and wellbeing. Our new CO2 monitor has been designed to make it as simple as possible for people to be better informed about air quality in the spaces they occupy and allow improvements to be made.”

ESP expands the sales team

ESP has welcomed two new members to the sales team, as the company continues to grow and expand. Liam Wiltshire takes on the role of Area Sales Manager for the Southeast and Ashley Bown joins the company as the Area Sales Manager for the East Midlands region. In their new roles at ESP, Liam and Ashley will be responsible for developing new and existing customer relationships at an independent and national level within the regions they are covering. As ESP continues to grow and expand its product offer, it will ensure that customers are kept up to date with all the latest developments – from a product, technology and regulations point of view. Liam comes to his new role at ESP with a wealth of experience in the electrical industry. He started his electrical journey within the wholesaler environment where he worked for seven years before moving over to the manufacturing side. Ashley joins the ESP team with an impressive 12 years’ experience working with a number of leading wholesaler and distributer organisations. ESP continues to grow and expand its product category. The current portfolio includes Fort Smart Security, CCTV, access control – including the recently added IP door access range - fire protection, Beacon disabled refuge and assistance alarms, emergency lighting, the Essentials collection, which includes external area protection systems and the Sangamo range of specialist time switches and heating controls. Click here for more latest news.

Toolstation launches latest catalogue with deals and products

Toolstation has launched its latest catalogue offering new offers and products at amazing value to help customers conquer any job. The catalogue will be available in all 550+ Toolstation stores across the UK. To celebrate the launch, colleagues have been supporting tradespeople by hand-delivering the new catalogue to hard-to-reach local construction sites in London and across the capital, making it easier and more convenient for them to get hold of the new catalogue deals. Many offers are available on trade quality power tools from DeWalt, Makita, Einhell and more. Tradespeople will also be able to browse a huge selection of new power tools from trade quality brands. As customers start to prepare for colder days and darker evenings, the catalogue offers a wide array of great value heating, lighting, home security and plumbing accessories as the nation gets set for the big switch on. Homeowners who are looking to give their interior a stylish upgrade for autumn can make the most of Toolstation’s new own brand painting and decorating range Pinnacle. The range also includes painting and decorating essentials such as masking tape, dust sheets, protection film and more. Toolstation will also be introducing over 150 hand tools from trade quality brands such as Draper, Stanley, Wera and more, ideal for any DIYer looking to take on a renovation project during the wet weather. Trade account customers will also be able to benefit from a 5% discount available on every purchased product from the new catalogue, with no minimum spend. Signing up to a Trade Account offers customers added support with financial management, up to 60 days interest free credit, flexible credit limits and online account management. Customers can apply online or via the app. An overview of the best value products and offers from the catalogue can be found below: DeWalt 18V XR Brushless Impact Driver 2 x 2.0Ah DeWalt DCS355 18V XR Brushless Multi Cutter 1 x 4.0Ah Milwaukee M18FSAG115XB-501B FUEL Angle Grinder 1 x 5.0Ah WAS: £159.98 - NOW: £99.98 WAS: £287.92 - NOW: £179.98 WAS: £229.98 - NOW: £189.98 tado° Wireless Smart Thermostat Starter Kit V3+ with Hot Water Control Smart Control tado° Smart TRV Thermostatic Radiator Valve - four pack Honeywell Home Smart Thermostat Table Stand TR6 WAS: £149.99 - NOW: £109.99 WAS: £219.99 - NOW: £199.99 WAS: £190.78 - NOW: £170.78 Swann Smart Security 1080p CCTV System 4 Channel - two cameras Yale HSA App Enabled Alarm Kit B-HSA6610 Ring Floodlight Cam Plus Black WAS: £249.99 - NOW: £179.99 WAS: £189.98 - NOW: £141.98 WAS: £178.98 - NOW: £158.98 Wessex LED Twin Tripod Work Light with Socket IP54 240V 2 x 50W 2 x 4000lm Wessex LED A60 GLS Dimmable Bulb 7.3W ES Cool White 806lm - five pack Integral LED Classic GU10 Dimmable Lamp Bulb 3.6W Warm White 400lm - 10 pack WAS: £79.98 - NOW: £69.98 WAS: £8.98 - NOW: £7.63 WAS: £17.98 - NOW: £16.18 Arctic Hayes Polar Professional Pipe Freezing Kit 8-22mm Ariston Andris R 10L Under Sink Water Heater 3kW  Rothenberger Pipeslice Tube Cutter 22mm WAS: £110.28 - NOW: £99.25 WAS: £165.68 - NOW: £124.26 WAS: £25.98 - NOW: £20.58 Mira Sprint Multi-Fit Electric Shower 8.5kW Mira Sport Max Electric Shower 10.8kW Triton Riba Electric Shower 8.5kW WAS: £139.98 - NOW: £119.98 WAS: £289.98 - NOW: £239.98 WAS: £68.98 - NOW: £61.98  

Ovia expands the sales team

Ovia has announced two new appointments to the sales team as the company continues to enjoy growth and expansion. Peter Stubbs joins the team as Area Sales Manager for Yorkshire and the Northeast, and Gary Middleton has taken up the position of Area Sales Manager for South Wales and the lower West Midlands regions. Peter brings with him a wealth of experience, having worked in the electrical industry for over 15 years. He has held a range of roles including sales and business development manager, and his background with both manufacturers and wholesalers will make him a valuable addition to the Ovia team. He will be responsible for developing new and existing customer relationships at an independent and national level, as well as engaging with contractors and specifiers to grow brand and product awareness and to assist where lighting design and specifications are needed. In his new role, Gary will be responsible for building and maintaining strong relationships with key customers and business partners within the area and ensuring customer satisfaction. As Ovia continues to grow and expand, he will play a critical role in keeping customers up to date with all the latest developments – from a product, technology and regulations point of view. Gary comes to Ovia with impressive experience, having been in the industry since 2005. The majority of that time was spent at a leading wholesaler, and most recently he enjoyed a six year spell working on a commercial projects team. The comprehensive range of Ovia lighting and lighting control products offers solutions for a whole spectrum of projects in a broad variety of sectors, including domestic, commercial, industrial, utility, amenity, emergency lighting and floodlighting.

Carhartt launches easy-to-use DIY repair kits

Don’t part ways with your beloved Carhartt clothes because of worn-out zippers or wear and tear holes just yet. Instead, breathe new life into your old gear with the new Carhartt DIY repair kits. For over 130 years, Carhartt has been known for its rugged construction, innovative designs, exceptional quality standards, durability and unmatched comfort. Its comprehensive range encompasses tough yet comfortable work trousers, jackets, T-shirts, hoodies and shorts – each piece a testament to its commitment to quality, craftsmanship and performance. To make sure you really get the most out of its gear, Carhartt’s free DIY repair kits contain the buttons, zipper sliders and fabric patches you need to fix up small bits of wear and tear that happen over time. The Patch Kit is designed to tackle those small tears or holes on your trusty trousers, dungarees and jackets. Suitable for any hole smaller than 1.5", these patches, available in black, dark brown, and Carhartt brown, simply iron on. The Slider Kit makes it easy to repair zippers on jackets, coats, vests, overalls, coveralls and trousers, while the Button Kit (in two colour options) needs nothing more than a hammer from your toolkit and a solid surface to fix any broken buttons that come your way. If you are ready to embark on your repair journey, simply fill out the contact form on the Carhartt website and the dedicated customer service team will be quickly back in touch. Don’t hang up your old Carhartt clothes just yet! Click here for more latest news.

KNIPEX WireStripper now available in a metric version

Electricians will be unwilling to let the new all-rounder from Wuppertal out of their hands and nor will they have to. The KNIPEX WireStripper (13 7X 200ME) five-in-one combination pliers is hard to beat in terms of versatility: you can cut cables, strip conductors, twist, deburr and grip with just one tool. The KNIPEX WireStripper (13 7X 200ME) excels in five different areas, especially when it comes to stripping wires. The pliers offer impressive performance with a large capacity range of up to 50mm², sharp stripping profiles and intuitive positioning. The precise profiles can be used for solid wires in diameters from 0.75 to 6mm² and finely stranded wires in diameters from 0.5 to 4mm². Positioning bars ensure the accurate positioning of the wire. The innovative cutting-edge geometry makes it easier to cut cables with the tool as well, such as stranded copper and aluminium cables up to a diameter of 15mm (1/2in). Wide, cross-seared gripping surfaces are particularly effective for twisting wires, a commonly used method in some countries for connecting individual wires. While the milled groove ensures that even small workpieces can be securely held and pulled, the convex gripping surface on one side simplifies the secure gripping of flat material and the burner hole makes it easier to grip round material. In addition, the distinctive outer edge can be used to deburr the inside of empty pipes. The hybrid design of the WireStripper - as flat as needle-nose pliers and as wide as combination pliers - ensures high stability with good accessibility even in confined work areas.

Hamilton Verve white plastic range

The increased demand for white plastic has not gone unnoticed across the industry, nor by Hamilton. Keeping pace with today's demands for increased functionality, the Verve range now offers ultra-fast combined USB-A&C charging plates and 250W LED rotary dimmers. Increased USB charging options: Charging smart devices has become an everyday necessity and Verve doesn’t disappoint. New ultra-fast combined USB-A 2.4A and USB-C 3A double switched sockets (4.8A Total) provide a faster and more convenient way to simultaneously charge laptops/tablets and mobile devices. This complements the existing ultra-fast dual 2.4A USB-A (4.8A Total) double switched socket. Increased LED dimming: Our new 250W LED 2-Way rotary dimmers offer two and a half times the dimming capacity of the standard 100W dimmer in the range. With its proven LEDIT-B dimming technology, it’s the intelligent choice for controlling mains dimmable LEDs in rooms with two entrances/exits – available in one to four gang plates. Modern curved design and slim profile, at a price you will love! With its subtly tapered top and bottom plate edges, Verve’s simple design is a classic case of ‘less is more’. A traditional box-fix design with an ultra slim profile, the face plates come with white screw cap covers to give a sleek, screwless appearance. Micro-grid switch plates: Micro-grid switch options are available in one to six gang plates and EuroFix module plates are available in one, two and four gang. The modules themselves sit snuggly within the moulded recess of the face plate and firmly secured with a top and bottom locating screw. A comprehensive range of 20AX switches with printed appliance words and symbols makes them user-friendly. Quality is guaranteed! As with all Hamilton products, the Verve range is rigorously quality tested in its Bristol factory. Plate finishes undergo both destructive and non-destructive testing. They are put through many processes to test their resistance to corrosion, scratching and the like, and come with an impressive 25-year guarantee. Verve at a glance: White screw cap covers give a sleek screwless appearance New Ultra-fast Combined USB-A (2.4A) and USB-C (3A) chargers New 250W LED 2-Way rotary dimmers – one to four gang 50A double pole one and two gang switches with neon 45A double pole neon cooker control switch +13A neon switched socket Ultra-fast Dual 2.4A USB-A (4.8A Total) double switched sockets 100W LED rotary dimmers – one to four gang Micro-Grid switch options – one to six gang EuroFix module plates – one, two and four gang 20AX switches with printed appliance words and symbols Fit and forget: 25-year guarantee *Excludes Verve Dimmers (one year) and Verve USBs (two years). To find out more about Hamilton’s Verve white plastic range, download the 2023 range brochure or visit your local stockist.  

Put yourself at the forefront of the sustainable lighting revolution

The EU Green Deal umbrella, with its 153 legislative acts, has set the pace for a global trend of green regulations that are coming at an unprecedented speed. The lighting industry is facing a complex and broad scope of regulations and standards that will impact product design, manufacture, distribution and use. At Circular Lighting Live, on 21 September, Maurice Maes, Head of Standards and Regulations at Signify, will delve into the background of this wave of green regulations and explain how it differs from the past. But that's not all - the industry is also seeing a surge in green label initiatives, third-party certification programs, and customers demanding proof of sustainability. Should you go all-in with Environmental Product Declarations to prove your green claims, or adopt a different strategy? The event will provide practical and strategic insights on how companies can prepare for this new landscape, and how collaboration within the industry can make things more manageable. You will: Learn the steps you need to take to get ahead Hear inspirational case studies from pioneers in the sector Get valuable actionable insights from the experts See the latest innovations from event sponsors in the exhibition area Join in illuminating your path towards a sustainable future, get seven hours of CPD, and put your company at the forefront of the sustainable lighting revolution. A snapshot of the programme How to prepare for an ‘avalanche’ of green regs, by Maurice Maes, Head of Standards and Regulations at Signify. TM66: The important changes in the next version, by Bob Bohannon, Head of Policy and Sustainability at the LIA. How to gather environmental data, by Simon Fisher, Founder of F-Mark and Recolight. Case Study: The Building Crafts College, London, by John Bowden, Principal of Silent Design and Cliffe Tribe, UK Specification Manager at Casambi Technologies. How to use recycled plastics in luminaires, by Robert Sant, AO.com’s Group Recycling Director. Lighting metrics for designers, by Kristina Allison, Senior Lighting Designer at Akins Global. Case Study: Holburne Museum, Bath, by Ali Kay, Head of Development at Stoane Lighting. A creative solution to Cat A fit-outs and luminaire take back, by Nigel Harvey, CEO of Recolight. Circular Design – The challenges, by Benz Roos, Associate Partner at Speirs Major. A Life Cycle Assessment for designers, by designers by Marci Song, Director of Seam Design. Balancing creativity with specification targets, by Gary Thornton, Associate Designer with Nulty+. Case study: Entopia Building, Cambridge, by Colin Ball, Lighting Director at BDP, and Jono Redden, Senior Lighting Designer at BDP. Circular Lighting Live is sponsored by Signify, TRILUX, ASD Lighting PLC, BELL Lighting, Commercial Lighting Systems, Casambi Technologies, EGG lighting, FUTURE Designs, Glamox Luxonic, Helvar, Holophane Europe, Llumarlite, The Regen Initiative, Revitalite, Schréder, Silent Design, Smart Systems UK, Sylvania Lighting and TRT Lighting. Register at: https://circularlighting.live/