Managed lighting supplier Ember Lighting launches LightBulb Lab initiative 

Managed lighting supplier, Ember Lighting, has announced the launch of its brand-new industry resource; the LightBulb Lab. The LightBulb Lab is an online collection of useful information, curated by Ember Lighting founders Marcus Steffen and Gresh Braglewicz. The partners have brought together their expert knowledge and drawn on their collective decades of first-hand lighting industry experience to answer some of the burning questions that clients, architects, interior designers and others may have. LightBulb Lab brings together Q&As, step-by-steps and how-to guides to address a plethora of issues and queries. The online resources cover topics such as different ways of dimming LED lights, how to avoid project delays and the questions you should ask when sourcing a lighting designer. Ember Lighting are redefining the lighting supply service. Where most lighting suppliers just provide the components, Ember Lighting nurture their clients want and needs by project managing a lighting transformation from start to finish. The LightBulb Lab is a further example of where Ember Lighting have evolved with the lighting community; responding to the ever-growing needs for knowledge and industry insight. Marcus Steffen, co-owner of Ember Lighting and owner of MS Lighting Design, says: “Working in the lighting industry, we recognised the need for information as the sector and solutions are changing at such a rapid pace. We spotted a gap for an all-encompassing knowledge hub, and the idea for the LightBulb Lab was born.” Ember Lighting co-owner and owner of Capital Rewire, Gresh Braglewicz, adds: “Our collective experience and expertise puts us in a strong position to share our knowledge with the wider industry. We’re confident the LightBulb Lab is going to become a ‘go-to’ resource across the sector. We’re already planning its expansion and the Ember Lighting team are excited about the future as we evolve and grow.” The LightBulb Lab was soft launched in December with a small event before Christmas 2021. A number of professionals from the design community came together at the Lutron Electronics showroom in London to experience the LightBulb Lab, as well as offer final thoughts on useability before the national roll-out.

Get set for the end of the financial year!

Got a question about cash flow for your electrical business?  Ask our panel of experts! The first quarter of the year is always busy, especially after the Christmas break. And with 5th April approaching fast, do you really have your finances in order as much as you’d hope? Join simPRO and their panel of experts in this free to attend webinar to unravel all of your cash flow woes! We have pulled together an unmissable panel from across the electrical industry, including speakers from the ECA, Sllick, Fusion Electrical and Bright Business Advice. Join us for the opportunity to ask our panel any questions you have about cash flow and preparing for EoFY. simPRO's cloud-based job management software for electrical contractors features tools for accurate quoting, material & labour tracking and project costing. The result? Better financial visibility for better cash flow! The roundtable commences on the 23rd March at 11am GMT. Click here to register NOW!

DW Windsor's Ren blossoms at RHS Garden Wisley 

Located in the heart of leafy Surrey, RHS Garden Wisley is one of the UK's most frequented gardens and one of the horticultural charity's premier green spaces. With a splendid array of flora and fauna spread across 240 acres, Wisley is home to some of the largest plant collections in the world. As the Royal Horticultural Society's flagship garden, Wisley is committed to 'Building a greener future', and regularly embarks on improvement projects to enhance the visitor experience. The society is currently undergoing a £160 million redevelopment programme encompassing several major projects, including the UK's first dedicated horticultural scientific centre of excellence at Wisley, RHS Hilltop – The Home of Garden Science. RHS Hilltop is surrounded by four acres of 'living laboratories' set in three new gardens, with the Wellbeing Garden designed by Matt Keightley of Rosebank Landscaping, and built by Mark Gregory of Landform Associates. The site is open to the public and will highlight educational opportunities and scientific work in the field of horticulture. Lighting was a key element of the Hilltop project. It was vital that functional lighting was provided to ensure the safety of all staff and the 1.5 million annual visitors to RHS Garden Wisley. Ben Brace (MCIHort CMLI), Greenspace Projects Manager at RHS, specified the lighting. Having a working knowledge of DW Windsor through previous roles, Ben approached the leading British manufacturer to supply the exterior lighting. Ben specified DW Windsor's Ren bollard to illuminate the surrounding pathways within the Wellbeing Garden. The luminaire's narrow profile and discreet design made it the ideal choice to aid wayfinding without interrupting the look and flow of the garden space. Ren is an award-winning architectural lighting solution offered in two widths, three heights and a range of colour temperatures from 2700 - 4000K. In addition, it utilises a unique optical system featuring reeded diffusing glass to improve lateral distribution whilst also delivering zero back spill. This makes Ren an incredibly versatile solution while still offering impressive lighting performance for outdoor environments, with the ability to achieve P5 lighting classes at a 6m spacing. For the RHS Hilltop scheme, a colour temperature of 2700K was specified, helping to create an inviting ambience within the garden while minimising the impact on the surrounding flora and fauna. Ben Brace says: "Embarking on the Hilltop project has been very exciting for the RHS. While the lighting was an important part of the development, we wanted to ensure the gardens looked as stunning as possible. Ren is the perfect solution to provide function with perfect form; blending in with the surroundings and not disrupting the appeal of the green space." Dean Johnston, Area Sales Manager at DW Windsor, adds: "As experts in public realm projects, we were thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase our capabilities on a garden project. RHS Wisley is a stunning green space, and the aesthetics, form and function of our Ren bollard work in perfect harmony with the look of the new Hilltop gardens."

The top-rated system that’s quick to install and saves on energy bills...

The rise in underfloor heating continues – but how do consumers know which system to buy? Underfloor heating is no longer reserved for the lucky elite. Growing at a rapid rate of 13% year on year, it is becoming more desirable and affordable than ever before. But with so many systems to choose from it can be hard to cut through the noise. Wunda Group, a British heating company with more than 16 years of experience, explains how its flagship underfloor heating product, Wundatherm, offers the ultimate luxury of heat underfoot while still being easy to install and affordable for a range of renovation projects. Sam Jump, Product Manager, Wunda Group comments: “Simply put, there has been a large boom in underfloor heating. This has been a long time coming, but is now here thanks to our desire for energy efficient solutions at home driven by the green revolution. More recently this has been compounded by the increasing time we have spent at home over the past two years and a desire to invest in our comfort and spend more on home improvements. Insulation aside, underfloor heating is one of the best things you can do to improve heating at home during retrofitting, but not all underfloor heating systems are equal. We knew that for underfloor heating to be desired by the masses, we had to solve the problem of performance, control, easy installation and affordability. This is how we came to reinvent underfloor heating and develop our Wundatherm underfloor heating system.” No more burying under inches of screed Underfloor heating was originally developed to heat large spaces such as airport lounges, runways and all-weather football pitches. This was achieved by burying pipes in screed which heated a thermal mass under the floor and warmed the surface. This system can work well if the heating is permanently switched on but it is not an efficient solution in homes where we want to quickly adjust the temperature to suit our needs. “A common misconception of underfloor heating is that installation requires huge disruption,” explains Sam Jump. “But the truth is that this school of thought has been overplayed in domestic settings for too long. We have reinvented underfloor heating and our quick to install Wundatherm system can actually be laid directly on top of your existing flooring rather than digging up your floors which is required for screed systems that need to be buried beneath six inches of screed and cement. Thanks to the aluminum and polystyrene boards with close pipe centres, Wundatherm is a hassle free dry-fix solution which turns your whole floor into a radiator of warmth.” Input temperatures for Wundatherm can be as low as 45°C, using half the energy required to heat a radiator at 70-80°C. This allows users to only heat the rooms they’re using, removing the need to leave the heating on at all times, as is the case with traditional screed systems which take days to heat and cool. When compared to even the fastest of screed systems using close pipe systems and modern anhydrite concrete screeds, the reaction time of Wundatherm is in a league of its own. Instead of the 24-72 hours a screed system can take to heat up, Wundatherm can be turned on or off, or adjusted, to reach desired temperatures in as little as 30 minutes. Wundatherm is based on a lightweight, extremely strong grooved board which is covered with a thick aluminium foil and the grooves hold a special 16mm plastic pipe with a core of aluminium. This combination results in responsive use and lower energy requirements to run Wundatherm, making it a low carbon solution that makes current heating technology like gas/oil boilers 40-50% more efficient; as well as working efficiently with alternative fuels of the future like hydrogen boilers and air & ground source heat pumps. Wundatherm is compatible with any heat source, including future heat pumps which have an efficiency rating of 270% -  400%. “Our Wundatherm underfloor heating system is ‘heat pump ready’ which means you will easily be able to switch to this alternative heating source whenever you are ready” comments Sam Jump. “Heat pumps operate most efficiently at lower temperatures meaning underfloor heating, which runs at around 45°C, is extremely compatible with a heat pump compared to radiators which require temperatures of 70-80°C. Using an underfloor heating system with a heat pump will result in less money spent and less energy used. Alternatively, simply turning down the thermostat on your boiler to 45-50°C will save you up to 50% in energy bills in the long run as this ensures your underfloor heating system is running as efficiently as possible.” Wundatherm has many benefits, including improved energy efficiency, better insulation, silent operation, and even minimizes the movement of dust around the home. Opting for a wet based system will have more energy and cost saving benefits than an electric system– a Wundatherm underfloor heating system will cost on average 60% less to run than electric floor heating. Wunda Group has also developed intuitive smart controls which are completely compatible with Wundatherm. Wunda’s WundaSmart heating control system, which is Good Housekeeping Approved and highly recommended by TechRadar, allows you to control, schedule and zone your heating room by room through your smartphone or via thermostats for even greater efficiency. Wunda has now sold over 30,000 Wundatherm systems and prides itself on its unrivalled customer care which has been rated Excellent by Trust Pilot. When you contact Wunda to discuss your project a personal Project Manager will guide you along the way and can point you to installers experienced in its system. Wunda will work in collaboration with your builders and support with floor plans on where to lay the materials, boards and pipe.

Janus Technology partners with Rako Controls

Janus Technology has partnered with Rako to offer a faster, slicker and more streamlined lighting control integration solution. The new Janus Technology Control4 driver is a huge step forward in driver technology and will make the integration of Rako lighting control as part of a Control4 solution easier and quicker. “We are delighted to announce this new Control4 driver for Rako lighting control,” comments Richard Caton, Managing Director at Janus Technology. “Our two companies have a passion for making the lives of integrators easier and with this new solution we will be able to do just that. The new driver makes integration between Rako and Control4 much smoother and will save time and cost for integrators.” According to Paul Wafer, Director at Rako, “When integrating third party systems there is always a separate driver needed. Many of these drivers have not been updated and maintained over the years’ so they require manual programming by the integrator. This can be time consuming and complex, which is the last thing you need when you are working on site. The new Control4 driver that Janus Technology has developed offers seamless integration with the Rako HUB interface. We have tested it internally and are really impressed with the results. We’re sure it will prove a huge advantage for Control4 dealers who want to implement Rako lighting control in their systems.” Building on a relationship that spans more than 10 years and an extensive knowledge of the Rako product range, Janus Technology has adapted the Control4 driver to work with the new Rako HUB. The driver extracts all the room, channel and circuit information from the Rako HUB and then automatically adds all the required proxy drivers, vastly streamlining the commissioning process for the installer. It uses the new HUB API for faster communication and more reliable feedback. Also included in the driver suite are RGB and RGBW drivers that support full compatibility with Colour Wheel, the webview driver by Janus that allows rapid and easy adjustment of colour across multiple lighting channels in a Rako system – and this now works on the Control4 mobile App as well as TouchScreen. Rako’s HUB is a feature-rich interface designed to make Rako system installation, integration and remote management quicker and easier. It is a compact, counter-sized unit that offers time-based functionality as well as conditional logic and advanced system features that can be triggered from either a wired or wireless command.

Former Bristol City legend Scott Murray opens new Travis Perkins site

Travis Perkins has opened the doors to its latest branch in Bristol, with a little help from former Bristol City winger Scott Murray. The Robins' former star made more than 350 appearances for the team in the 1990s and 2000s was the guest of honour as Travis Perkins opened its new branch. The existing 11 strong team from the old Albert Road site made the move to the new branch. It has also created an extra 15 roles, half of which have been filled by women,  in what is traditionally a male dominated industry. The new branch is 2.6 acres in size, almost the size of two football pitches. The site is one of the first branches to pilot Travis Perkins' new ambitions to reduce carbon emissions by 90% and will include electric forklift trucks and electric charging points. For the first time, the branch will include hard landscaping. The site also boasts a brand-new Hire Service from where customers can hire tools, plant and equipment and more. Its brand new Benchmarx kitchen display showroom offers a wide range of high quality kitchen ranges and increases Travis Perkins offering to their customers. The branch will stock bricks for the first time and also its extended range in the yard will include timber, blocks, drainage and lintels. Customers can choose to shop online, by using the Travis Perkins App, or in branch. The industry-first App has been designed in conjunction with customers to help them save time and work smarter by enabling them to check and order stock on the go at their personal trade prices in real time from their local branch. As well as a chance to look around the newly relocated site, visitors had a chance to meet Scott who signed and gave away several Bristol City shirts/footballs to give away to customers. Branch manager Simon Brierley says: “We’re really excited to have opened the doors to our relocated site to the tradespeople and builders of Bristol. We’re delighted to be offering hard landscaping for the first time as well as showcasing our new Benchmarx kitchen showroom and Hire Service. We have a great team in place and have everything you need, when you need it, all in one place. It’s all about doing what matters for the trade.” Its new Delivery Management Service also aims to give customers the best possible delivery notifications without having to make a telephone call too.

Retrofit lighting key to energy saving and carbon reduction says Tamlite

A leading independent lighting manufacturer says retrofitting outdated lighting systems will be key to improving energy use as businesses face increasing operational costs. Tamlite Lighting’s comments come at a time when energy prices are predicted to remain high for the next 18 months to two years. It believes that with the emphasis on innovative energy efficient technologies, many will have forgotten the impact simple building system upgrades can have when it comes to reducing energy consumption and operational costs. By replacing outdated lighting with modern LED systems, coupled with intelligent control systems, buildings can be made more efficient, generating savings of between 60% to 80%. With electricity for lighting accounting for approximately 15% of global power consumption and 5% of worldwide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, such upgrades can also reduce carbon emissions as part of wider sustainability efforts. Debbie-Sue Farrell, Tamlite’s Marketing and Wellbeing Manager, comments: “Lighting is a huge source of energy consumption, and small changes can make a big difference. All too often building owners and operators are forgetting the simple steps that can play a pivotal role in saving energy and reaching ambitious climate targets. “By replacing outdated lighting with modern LED systems, it cost effectively reduces energy use and carbon emissions. With an increasing need for building systems to perform both effectively and cost-effectively, such upgrades are easy to do and should be seen as a key component of any energy saving and decarbonisation plan.”

Get into electrotechnical! ECA launches new content series for #NAW2022

The ECA is set to launch a raft of content for National Apprenticeship Week 2022. This includes insightful blogs from industry leaders and a bespoke webinar for those who employ electrical and construction apprentices, which will be broadcast live this Thursday at 3pm. ECA will also share key information about the range of Government funding, support and incentives on offer for electrotechnical businesses that employ apprentices. ECA’s schedule of content throughout the week will include: • An ‘expert comment’ column by Carolyn Mason, ECA Head of Education and Training, on the skills for installing electric vehicle charge points • An update on the innovative new TESP Data Dashboard, providing new facts and figures about the industry • A blog on the future of construction apprenticeships by Jill Nicholls, Head of Construction and Transport at the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) • An interview on the importance of green skills and net zero in today’s industry, by Ian Rippin, CEO of MCS • On Thursday, 10 Feb at 3pm: an exclusive webinar with Jill Nicholls of IfATE and Andrew Eldred, ECA’s Director of Workforce and Public Affairs, on the construction apprenticeship route review – sign up now! • A blog on the increased importance of diversity in the electrotechnical industry, and how it can be achieved, by Ruth Devine, MD of SJD Electrical • Video interviews with current and former apprentices from across the industry, sharing their journeys to a successful electrotechnical career Carolyn Mason, ECA Head of Education and Training, says: “National Apprenticeship Week is the perfect time to bring together electrotechnical businesses, from within and outside the ECA, with apprentices across the country. “In such an unpredictable business environment, we want to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals and businesses in the construction sector, and the wider economy. “Around 6,000 electrical apprentices are recruited each year – this must increase if we are to bridge the skills gap, and training must include the Net Zero skills that are vital to delivering our national Zero Carbon goals.”

BGEN expands apprenticeship programme to more than 50 employees

BGEN has expanded its apprenticeship programme to more than 50 employees as the company continues to invest in its future and create a more diverse workforce. This year’s intake comes on the back of a number of recent new business wins including National Grid and Scottish Water. “After undertaking a craft apprenticeship at the start of my career, I’m proud that BGEN invests significant resources in developing a young and diverse workforce,” says Robin Whitehead, chief executive at BGEN. “Our business is evolving. And only by moving with the times and investing in the workforce, are we well set to meet our customers’ current and future engineering requirements.” The new intake will be a mix of traditional, project controls, and more technology-focused apprentices. Those taking the traditional apprenticeships are looking to forge trade careers as an electrician, mechanical engineer or pipefitter, while the more technology-focused apprentices are training to fulfil roles such as a quantity surveyor, network or systems engineer. Alongside the current apprenticeships, BGEN is using the scheme to upskill its wider workforce. In recent times this has resulted in one employee training to become a mechanical project manager, while another is currently undertaking a master’s degree to further enhance their technical knowledge as a systems integration engineer. “At BGEN we are fully committed to supporting our employees in developing their careers,” says Michelle Stott, HR Director at BGEN. “Many have been at the company for more than 30 years, with some now running business units. As we continue to build a more diverse and inclusive workforce, we look forward to welcoming this year’s intake throughout the year.”

New SUN@HOME range makes lighting feel good

LEDVANCE launches new SUN@HOME smart lighting range that reproduces natural daylight for a better quality of life. The new SUN@HOME range from LEDVANCE offers lamps and luminaires that use unique SunLike full-spectrum LEDs to increase well-being and performance in the home. The dimmable LEDs provide rooms with the highest quality of light (CRI >95), similar to natural daylight, with colour that can be adjusted across a wide spectrum of 2,200K to 5,000K. Commenting on the range, Peter Alexander, Head of Retail Sales UK and Ireland at LEDVANCE says, “Human Centric Lighting has been the most significant recent functional advancement in intelligent lighting, and our SUN@HOME range represents its next step. These products can make a real difference to personal routines, such as concentration-enhancing light during the day for working at home, and a high quality of light in the evening to prepare for sleep. LEDVANCE are proud to launch a new lighting range that users can not only see, but feel.” The SUN@HOME range fluctuates lighting in line with the human circadian rhythm, a 24-hour body clock that governs our natural cycles of activity and rest by managing hormone levels. Humans are known to be heavily influenced by variations in natural light throughout the course of the day. The SUN@HOME lamps and luminaires offer smart lighting solutions that counteract the listlessness caused by working indoors through their bright, white light during the day to increase concentration, improving performance and motivation. In contrast, the low blue light component of the full-spectrum LEDs improves sleep intensity at night. Alongside their positive impact on well-being, SUN@HOME products can be easily controlled with the free LEDVANCE SMART+ WIFI APP or by voice command. The products can be smoothly integrated into the home network and controlled via WiFi without any additional hardware. The Smart Home controls empower users with even more intelligent functions, such as a natural wake-up with fade-in light or weather-dependent adjustment of the lighting. The SUN@HOME luminaires even monitor the room climate with an innovative coating that disinfects ambient air by eliminating any pathogens that come into contact with it. This keeps the air free of germs, fungi and unpleasant odours to ensure room freshness and hygiene are preserved. The new smart SUN@HOME lighting range from LEDVANCE includes home office desk lighting to create the ideal office working space. Easy to install Planon plus WiFi luminaire panels in different sizes with Frameless versions in further size options provide homogenous lighting for indoor spaces. A Moodlight, FLEX strip lighting, Downlights, Spot PAR 16, Classic B25 and A40 lamps round off the range for a complete home transformation to wellbeing.