This month, we are proud to announce the 10 products shortlisted for the 2019 HVP Innovation Showcase, which our expert judging panel are now tasked with whittling down to five final winners.

Welcome to this year’s HVP Innovation Showcase shortlist. Over the next few pages, we will be running you through the products which have been lucky enough to be shortlisted for this year’s competition.

When we launched the Innovation Showcase last year, it was with the aim of highlighting some of the truly innovative products you might have missed from the previous year. After an intensive judging process, our panel of judges picked five worthy winners, which were put on display at PHEX Alexandra Palace in 2018.

After its resounding success, we decided to bring the Innovation Showcase back for another year. So, this year, we invited manufacturers across the industry to submit their most innovative products launched in 2018. We received a number of excellent entries, so a huge thank you to all those who entered.

Our talented panel of industry experts (see right) had a huge job on their hands sifting through all of the submissions we received but, as ever, they were up to the task of whittling them down so that only the best of the best remained. We thank them for their time and efforts so far. I hope you’ll agree that our shortlist comprises an impressive mix of product innovation from all parts of the industry. 

We look forward to revealing our winners in June’s issue. Visitors to the new PHEX Tottenham will also have the opportunity to get hands-on with the winners at the show, which is held at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 12-13 June.

Many thanks to our expert judging panel, consisting of: Hattie Hasan, Peter Booth, Paul Hull, Raff Agalliu, Steve Bartin.

Here are the shortlisted entries for this year's HVP Innovation Showcase:

Daikin Altherma 3

Daikin Altherma 3 is, according to the company, the first ever air-to-water heat pump powered by low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant R32.

Daikin Altherma 3 uses Daikin’s Bluevolution technology with R32 refrigerant to deliver superior performance and make renewable energy an increasingly attractive heating option for newbuild homes, low energy houses, and refurbished properties for use with both underfloor heating and radiators.

Bahco ice-hardened tools

Bahco designers have found a way of using ice hardening technology to give their stainless steel tools superb hardness and durability. 

This pioneering breakthrough was achieved following extensive research and scientific testing involving independent experts in the field of cryogenic technology.

The Bahco range includes a stainless steel adjustable wrench, vice grip, and plier sets. Stainless steel slotted, Phillips, Pozidriv, or Torx screwdrivers and bits are also available in a range of sizes.

Baxi IFOS

Baxi IFOS is a weather compensation device designed to meet one of the Boiler Plus requirements as set out in the Building Regulations introduced in April 2018. It measures the air temperature directly and the flow temperature to the radiators is adjusted depending on the outside temperature.

IFOS can be fitted to any horizontal flue, regardless of the aspect of the wall, because it fits under the air duct and is kept out of direct sunlight. The cable runs back to the boiler through the flue air duct, so there is no need to drill walls to route unsightly cables. 

RF Solutions MAINSLINK-PRO

MAINSLINK-PRO is an innovative electronic product that provides a solution to a problem that has been around for a long time, but not previously addressed.

That solution is as easy as providing a radio link that replaces/removes the need to lay 230vAC cables through a building. For example, from the boiler in the kitchen to the wiring centre in the airing cupboard.

MAINSLINK-PRO consists of two identical easy to install (via screw terminals) units. One unit is installed by the boiler and the other within the wiring centre. They are supplied ready to go, so no programming or setup is required.

Heatrae Sadia Multipoint Eco

Heatrae Sadia upgraded its popular Multipoint to create the Multipoint Eco, which it says is a smarter, safer, more efficient range of unvented point-of-use water heaters.

Suitable for light commercial environments such as washrooms, canteens, and commercial kitchens, the Multipoint Eco includes a number of innovative features designed to make life easier for the customers working on these projects while delivering high performance to the end-user. 

Chief among these is the inclusion of smart thermostatic control. The Multipoint Eco is able to learn typical usage patterns within the first two weeks of operation, reducing fuel compensation and improving efficiency by up to 19% as compared to its predecessor. 

TapMedic

TapMedic was developed to combat the frustration and injustice of seeing people forced to pay for needless new taps. Now, instead of replacing otherwise perfectly serviceable taps, approximately 90% of taps with separate hot and cold controls can be set back to perfect functionality using TapMedic. 

You can make a perfect and safe WRAS-approved replica of the cartridge you are replacing in less than five minutes. Costing less than manufacturer’s versions, it means installers make more from a repair and consumers pay less than a new tap but also regain control of their homes.

testo 300

The new testo 300 flue gas analyser allows boiler engineers to truly work in a ‘smarter’ way.

As the first analyser on the market with a fully embedded Android operating platform and full 5in HD touchscreen display, the testo 300 allows engineers to directly email reports from the analyser and to link to third party apps for true integration into fleet software.

Unlike other flue gas analysers on the market that rely on the engineer linking a mobile phone running an app (which then ties up the phone and stops the engineer making/taking phone calls) the ‘smart’ is built into the 300, and the only thing it needs a phone for is to create a mobile hotspot for the built-in WiFi.

Flowflex Top Up Mate

Top Up Mate is the silent plumber, preventing dangerous over pressurisation, protecting one’s property from flooding, while maintaining the optimal pressure to ensure one’s boiler works efficiently and continuously. It is fully mechanical and requires no batteries and no electrical supply. 

The Top Up Mate is preset and factory sealed being easily installed in under five minutes, says the company, making it suitable for a DIY installation. It is also supplied with a detailed 15-page information manual.

Methven Turoa

Turoa is the Maori meaning for long lasting and enduring, and Methven’s design team has successfully managed to encapsulate this in its new bathroom collection. 
Crafted from high-grade stainless steel, Turoa features Methven’s latest patented spray technology, VJet – a variable spray pattern that can be personalised to each user.

The Turoa shower is designed to be simple to operate and allows the user to choose between a firm, invigorating shower spray to a gentle, enveloping warmth – all at the slide of a button.

All of the products are supported by Methven’s five-year warranty to stand the test of time.

Wirquin NEO

Wirquin NEO is a full new range of basin and sink traps boasting a zero-leak bottle trap. Thanks to bi-injection technology, all washers are over-moulded onto the body so there can be no loss of washers giving total protection against leaks.

The Wirquin NEO Air system function is an innovative option that replaces the traditional ventapipe air admittance valve, preventing noisy gurgling and bad smells. It allows the pipes to be naturally ventilated; when a negative pressure is created in the pipework, the membrane rises, thus creating continual ventilation to prevent the suction of the water seal. 

All Wirquin NEO products have been designed to be quick and easy to fit thanks to the ‘quick safe’ function, a ¼ turn captive nut that ensures a quick and reliable installation and easy to clean with a simple ¼ turn base.  

The winners of the 2019 HVP Innovation Showcase will be announced in our June issue, and the winner's will be on display at PHEX Tottenham on 12-13 June.