The construction industry continues to grow and research by Uponor has found that 90% of heating and plumbing installers are enthusiastic about the year ahead.

 

The survey which was carried out across the whole of Uponor’s supplier network providing a great understanding of how plumbing and heating technicians perceive the market as well as how their customers feel.

 

45% of respondents believed that the most important factor in growth in the coming year would be customers wanting more fuel efficient systems whilst 52% felt the recovering economy would be the most important factor affecting their business.

 

Chris Greaves, head of offerings and markets at Uponor UK, said: "It is no surprise that as the house building and construction markets begin to improve, installers’ order books also expand as more and more homeowners have the extra cash to invest in new heating systems or extensions."

 

Heating and plumbing installers also indicated there has been a shift in demand with around 73% of installers suggesting underfloor heating (UFH) as one of the most important solutions for the coming year, a figure that was closely followed by heat pumps and solar thermal (59% and 39% respectively). The installers questioned were less impressed with the outlook for combined heat and power and cooling technologies.

 

UFH has had a very slow takeup in the UK, even though our installers have good knowledge of the systems and the applications so as an industry it’s important was dedicate some of our expertise to information the consumer about the benefits of the technology. Interestingly around 31% of the installers Uponor questioned said they don’t think UFH is suitable for UK homes, while a separate survey by Uponor found UFH to be at the top of the wish list of consumers.

 

Discussing the research, Greaves said: "The research provides a great snapshot of the plumbing industry and the rising optimism within the market. What’s great to see is the rising importance of technologies such as UFH but also the need for education within the marketplace.

 

"Many European countries already utilise UFH systems for both heating and cooling, so if temperatures continue to rise here in the UK, as predicted, it could be an interesting new development for the plumbing industry."

 

Here at OBAS we've seen demand for heating and plumbing supplies increase hugely over the second quarter of 2014, and it's a trend that seems to be continuing with the whole of the UK generally benefiting from the recovery and the place the construction industry has in it.