Pipelife Obtains EPDs for its Qual-Pex Plus+ Pipe Range
Leading pipe manufacturer Pipelife Ireland has gained Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for its Qual-Pex Plus+ ‘Easy Lay’ pipe range – making them one of the first Irish-made pipes to have independently-verified embodied carbon data.
A high-performance, multi-purpose piping system, Qual-Pex Plus+ is engineered for reliable distribution of hot and cold water, central heating, and underfloor heating, designed to last for a building’s whole life – and therefore reduce the building’s whole life carbon impact. Pipelife’s decision to obtain EPDs for all seven sizes of its Qual-Pex Plus+ pipe range comes as larger developers and public bodies face obligations to calculate and reduce the embodied carbon of buildings.
Conor Manning, Managing Director of Pipelife Ireland said: “Securing EPDs for our entire Qual-Pex Plus+ pipe range reflects our commitment to supporting developers and public bodies as they work to measure and reduce the embodied carbon of buildings. It ensures that Pipelife continues to stand firmly behind our customers as embodied-carbon reporting becomes a compulsory requirement across the industry under new EU directives.”
Irish Green Building Council chief executive Pat Barry congratulated Pipelife, saying: “It is fantastic to see leadership in Irish manufacturers reacting to the imperatives of the EPBD and producing the data that will be needed in the coming years through production of verified EPD. It is particularly exciting to see data for components used in building services as this is one of the largest data gaps in whole life carbon assessment and we need more manufacturers to provide this data.” Policy changes such as the EU taxonomy on sustainable economic activities, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and the 2024 revision of the EU Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings are placing pressure on building material manufacturers to produce reliable, independently validated data on the embodied carbon of their products.
Meanwhile in September 2025 the Government’s low carbon construction procurement guidelines came into effect – including a requirement to conduct whole life carbon assessments on new buildings above certain budget thresholds, based on a new Life-Cycle Global Warming Potential Calculation Methodology published by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. The requirement also applies to infrastructure projects above certain budget thresholds.
To enable accurate whole life carbon calculation, product specific EPDs are the gold standard. The seven Qual-Pex Plus+ EPDs are published on EPD Ireland, a national platform set up by the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC) to enable Irish manufacturers to create EPDs for their products and verify them to Product Category Rules (PCR) created for Ireland. These PCRs provide specific, localised rules for various categories of construction products, enabling meaningful comparison between products on the Irish market.
The EPDs were created to EN 14508+A2 based on life cycle assessments by Dutch experts EcoReview Netherlands, and verified by third party verifier Stephen Forson, who was independently appointed by the IGBC from its panel of highly accredited EPD and LCA experts.
Why whole life carbon matters
The whole life carbon emissions of buildings are responsible for almost 40% of global carbon emissions, with 28% coming from operational energy use, and 11% from embodied carbon, according to the World Green Building Council. Operational carbon emissions are falling due to tightening regulations, the decarbonisation of electricity and fossil fuel boilers being replaced with heat pumps, a cumulative shift which means the emphasis must start to shift to embodied carbon too.
Consequently, embodied carbon has moved from obscurity to centre stage in Irish construction, due to new rules which mandate the calculation of the embodied carbon of buildings – including building services and all other construction materials used. While the second building services product of any type to be under the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, it will be mandatory to calculate the whole life carbon of all new buildings of 1000 m2 or more by 2028 – and all new buildings by 2030. Data on the embodied carbon of building services is relatively lacking, with some studies suggesting services can represent anything from 10% to 40% of the whole building total.
While Qual-Pex Plus+ is made from polyethylene, a form of plastic, it has a number of environmental advantages over metal pipes. Compared to metal pipes, it offers significantly lower embodied carbon, it is corrosion resistant and comes with a 50-year guarantee. The Qual-Pex Plus+ EPDs include a 50-year reference service life. Ireland’s whole life carbon calculation methodology sets a reference study period for each building of 50 years – meaning calculations done with Qual-Pex Plus+ will therefore avoid projected emissions from replacement pipes.
WHAT IS WHOLE LIFE CARBON?
It is all of the greenhouse gas emissions produced by a thing – such as a building – across its entire life cycle. It is made up of embodied carbon and operational carbon.
Embodied carbon includes emissions from manufacturing building materials, transport and construction, along with repair, replacement, maintenance and eventual demolition or – preferably – careful deconstruction.
Operational carbon comes from energy and water use during the building’s occupancy.
When you put together embodied carbon and operational carbon, you have whole life carbon.
For further information visit www.pipelife.ie
Wavin Plumbing Systems Offer Flexible, Reliable Solutions For Bathroom Projects
Bathrooms can be high-pressure environments for installers. Tight spaces, limited access and concealed pipe runs mean plumbing products must be quick to fit, dependable, and practical for both new build and refurbishment. For builders’ merchants, that translates into delivering solutions that help customers deliver a clean finish, first time.
Wavin Hep2O: designed for fast, reliable bathroom installations
Wavin’s Hep2O heating and plumbing system is ideal for bathroom installations because it offers fast, tool-free fitting and reliable performance. Its push-fit connection system removes the needs for hot works which is valuable in bathrooms with spatial restrictions. The process is simple: cut the pipe, insert and twist to check, with no specialist equipment required.
A key feature for installers is In4Sure™ joint recognition, which provides a distinctive ‘rumble’ feel when the pipe is fully inserted. That feedback helps ensure the joint is correctly made and supports a consistent, secure connection, particularly helpful when working quickly or in tight, low-visibility areas.
Hep2O’s polybutylene (PB) pipe is also highly flexible, making it easier to route pipework in the confined spaces typical of bathroom projects. It supports efficient runs behind bath panels and vanity units and is practical for running services under floors and through joists where access can be limited. In many layouts, the flexibility can reduce the need for additional fittings and allow for cleaner, more direct pipe routes.
Bathrooms are warm and humid environments, so long-term performance matters, especially for concealed installations. Hep2O is corrosion-free and resistant to limescale build-up, supporting durability and flow over time. For added reassurance, Hep2O pipes and fittings are backed by a 50-year guarantee, key when the pipework is hidden behind walls or under floors and is not something installers want to revisit later.
Noise performance is another consideration in bathrooms, particularly in apartments or where pipework runs through stud walls and between floors. Hep2O helps reduce friction noise, knocking and water hammer, supporting a quieter end result.
For refurbishments and retrofits, Hep2O is also designed to integrate smoothly with existing pipework. It is compatible with copper and other systems and connects easily to bathroom taps and appliances using straightforward solutions such as flexible tap adapters, hand-tighten tap connectors, and straight and bent tap connectors with brass nuts.
New Wavin HepvO: sleek design innovation in waterless traps save time and space
The recently updated Wavin HepvO retains its high performance silicone seal while delivering an easier, more intuitive installation. A sleeker design, perfect for bathrooms, it features clearly marked directional flow arrows to help installers achieve correct orientation and alignment, particularly in tight spaces or horizontal set-ups.
A hygienic alternative to traditional traps that can lose their water seal through evaporation, siphonage, leakage or movement, HepvO uses a self-sealing elastomeric membrane to perform the same function as a water-filled trap, without the associated drawbacks. This means it’s also an ideal solution for situations of infrequent use such as guest bathrooms or holiday homes.
In addition, by admitting air into the drainage system, HepvO can replace the need for air admittance valves in branch ventilation enabling pipework to be simplified in commercial bathroom or larger domestic bathroom layouts.
innovation in waterless traps.
HepvO’s space saving in-line design can be installed horizontally or vertically, making it suitable for many bathroom applications. There’s no need to cut into the floorboards under baths and showers saving time and labour and it’s slimline format means shelf space can be maximised in vanity units. The HepvO range includes 32mm and 40mm valves, running and knuckle adaptors, plus a 32mm tundish kit for use with an unvented hot water storage system and comes with a 15 year guarantee.
Wavin Sales Director Declan Conlon said: The Wavin plumbing range keeps the installer top of mind delivering latest innovations that are fast and easy to install. For merchants, they can be confident in offering their customers flexible, reliable products that suit a multitude of projects, all backed with the peace of mind that the product guarantees deliver.
See www.wavin.ie for more information.
Move To Tallaght Marks A Significant Step Forward For Niko
Niko Bathrooms is proud to celebrate one year at its new state-of-the-art showroom in Tallaght, Dublin 24, a space that has quickly become a go-to destination for homeowners, designers, and merchants seeking quality, inspiration, and expert guidance.
Spanning an impressive 500 sq ft, the showroom was designed with one purpose in mind: to give customers the space and freedom to fully explore an unrivalled selection of bathroom solutions under one roof. The move to Tallaght marked a significant step forward for Niko, allowing for a larger display area, improved accessibility, and a more immersive customer experience.
Why the Move?
The decision to relocate was driven by growth and ambition. The expanded showroom enables Niko Bathrooms to showcase a broader range of products from contemporary furniture and statement baths to premium brassware and designer radiators – all within thoughtfully styled settings. Its convenient Tallaght location also ensures ease of access for both trade and retail customers.
A Relaxed, Immersive Experience
From the moment customers step inside, they are welcomed into a relaxed and inspiring environment. Unlike traditional showrooms, this space encourages visitors to take their time – exploring fully designed bathroom settings and discovering how collections come together to create a cohesive, personal sanctuary. Customers can experience the tangible quality of Niko products first-hand – opening drawers to feel smooth soft-close mechanisms, touching surfaces, and seeing finishes in natural light. It’s an experience that builds confidence and brings ideas to life.
Expertise You Can Trust
At the heart of the showroom is Niko’s experienced team. With over 10 years of combined expertise in the plumbing industry, customers benefit from knowledgeable, practical advice at every stage of their journey. From initial concepts to final specifications, the team helps navigate both design and technical decisions with ease.
Supporting Merchants & Their Customers
Hardware stores and builders merchants are encouraged to make full use of the Tallaght showroom as a valuable sales tool. Inviting customers to visit allows them to see, feel, and understand the quality of the products, making decision-making easier and more confident. One year on, Niko Bathrooms continues to set the standard – helping customers turn ideas into beautifully realised spaces.
Experience It for Yourself
Whether your customer is planning a full renovation or simply gathering ideas, a visit to the Niko Bathrooms showroom is the perfect place to start. They can step into 500 square feet of inspiration, explore the latest designs, and get expert guidance tailored to their project. Make the call today and see how your next bathroom can come to life.
01 400 0000, Belgard Square North, Tallaght, D24 X8CT.
High Performance Heating Designed For The Irish Climate – The Grant Aerona R290
Demand across Ireland is growing for heating technologies that combine high efficiency with straightforward installation and dependable performance. For merchants and installers, the priority is no longer simply renewable heating, but systems that can deliver reliable output in real-world Irish weather conditions, while remaining practical to specify and install.
The Grant Aerona R290 air to water heat pump has been developed with these requirements in mind. Designed specifically for the Irish and UK climate, the next generation Aerona R290 heat pump range combines high efficiency, installer-friendly design and intelligent controls to support modern home heating systems in both new build and retrofit projects.
One of the key measures of heat pump efficiency is the Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP), which reflects how effectively the system converts electricity into usable heat. Barry Gorman, National Renewables Sales Manager at Grant explains, “The Seasonal Coefficient of Performance expresses how much heat a heat pump can deliver compared with the electricity it consumes. For example, a SCOP of 4 means that for every 1kW of electricity used, the heat pump produces 4kW of heat. Higher SCOP values indicate greater efficiency, as the unit produces more heat for less energy input. In turn, this makes efficiency a critical consideration when specifying systems for new build and retrofit projects.”
Available in five models with outputs ranging from 4kW to 16kW, the Aerona R290 offers flexibility when specifying systems for different homes and heating demands, making it suitable for a wide range of residential applications. Models within the range can achieve A+++ ErP ratings, with SCOPs up to 4.88. The Aerona R290 heat pump is also capable of 75°C flow temperature. However correct system design will ensure that a lower, more efficient flow temperature is utilised.
Another important factor when specifying heat pumps in Ireland is climate suitability. The Aerona R290 range has been designed specifically for the Irish and UK climate and has been rigorously tested to ensure reliable performance throughout the heating season. This focus on real-world operating conditions helps ensure consistent efficiency and dependable heating performance across a wide range of homes.
Ease of installation was also a key consideration during the development of the Aerona R290 range. Installers have highlighted the simplicity of the system design, including streamlined connections and integrated components which help simplify installation for heating engineers and electricians.
Barry adds, “A key feature of the Aerona R290 heat pump system is the Grant Aerona Smart Controller, which plays an important role in optimising heat pump performance. Using weather compensation, the controller automatically adjusts system output based on outdoor temperatures, helping maintain comfort within the home while ensuring the heat pump operates as efficiently as possible.
In addition to managing heating and hot water schedules, the Aerona Smart Controller can control multiple heating zones and enable installers to access system information through remote monitoring. This allows quicker diagnostics and helps reduce unnecessary callouts.”
Grant continues to support the heating industry through its integrated approach to system design and specification and dedicated aftercare service.
With its combination of high efficiency, climate-specific design and intelligent control through the Aerona Smart Controller, the Grant Aerona R290 heat pump provides merchants and installers with a reliable renewable heating solution suited to homes across Ireland.
Why Stock the Grant Aerona R290
– Strong demand for renewable heating solutions across Ireland
– Five models available (4kW–16kW) covering a wide range of property types
– High efficiency performance supporting modern energy standards
– Designed specifically for Irish and UK climate conditions
– Integrated with the Aerona Smart Controller for improved system performance
– Grant’s technical heating design and specification support
– Onsite technical and aftercare support
Visit www.grant.ie for more information on Grant’s range of innovative heating solutions. Follow Grant on Facebook @GrantIRL, Instagram @grant_irl, LinkedIn @ GrantEngineeringULC and YouTube @GrantEngineeringIE
