Research suggest that many UK consumers are concerned about low water Pressure and poor performing showers, but don’t always know how to Address the problem. Salamander Pumps is looking to link up with moreInstallers to help provide the right solution.
In a wide ranging survey, Salamander Pumps has found that when it comes to poorly performing water in the home, todays consumer is on the case and online. A broad sample of Google search data indicates thousands of relevant UK searches every month, with showering problems far and away the dominant issue. Many conversations relate to specific circumstances like fitting a new bathroom or having experienced a ‘dream’ shower on holiday, and, of course, a will always see a surge of online
Though problem awareness is high, consumers in the early stages of looking for products or installation advice often abandon their search with many questions unanswered, like how can I improve my water pressure, how do pumps work and where can I find a suitable plumber? On the basis of its research, Salamander believes that consumers are increasingly turning to the internet and social media to demystify their domestic plumbing and heating systems, defining the consumer experience as a combination of online research and consultation with
a plumber.
Even after receiving a quote, customers are more than likely to return to the internet to validate the proposed solution before they commit to it. However, there are plenty of pitfalls and obstructions which might mean a loss of interest, whereby householders, at worst, just accept the situation and put up with weak showers.
In the know
By better understanding the buyer journey and interplay between consumers and plumbers, Salamander aims to help consumers identify their water pressure problems, explain the solutions available and connect them to an approved local plumber network to quote for the work.
“Consumer digital behaviour is fuelling our communication strategy,” says Chris Vallance, Sales & Marketing Director of the Sunderland based pump manufacturer. “through a variety of engaging content, we will answer enough of their questions to be able to give consumers the confidence to talk to their plumber about improving the water performance in their home. Our aim is to bring the consumer and the installer together at a point where the purchase decision ready to be made,” adds Chris, “so this becomes a lead generation programme for our loyal installer base.”
With this in mind, the company is currently building a nationwide register of plumbers to whom all consumer leads will be directed. The Plumbers Network will help to generate new business opportunities, but Salamander also expects to provide, over time, a long term support programme for those involved, including tailored promotional offers and marketing tools. This could include advantageous trading arrangements with local merchants, warranty extensions and priority sales and technical advice through PumpWise, the companys support service to customers.
A successful recruitment drive has already been launched in the London area, with installers acknowledging the value of a manufacturer supporting their business through better consumer understanding of low water pressure problems and how to fix them. More trade events are to follow across the UK.
With most people already familiar with low water pressure, Salamander believes consumers at least need to know what their incoming water pressure is. What factors, for example, cause variations in water pressure and how might it be affecting the flow of water through their taps, toilets and showerheads? Water authorities only guarantee a minimum water pressure from the mains and often vary the supply, so a top floor flat, recent house extension or loft conversion may well experience poor performance at times of peak demand.
Consumers also need to know what kind of plumbing system they have. Is it mains or gravity fed? A combi boiler or unvented system might be operating inefficiently on low incoming water pressure. Stored hot and cold supplies maybe providing poor natural flow of water to some outlets higher in the house or limiting how much water is available at any one time. A basic level of information should go a long way to explaining why there is poor water performance and help both the homeowner and installer to quickly find a solution. “We know that low water pressure is a concern for installers and consumers alike in many parts of the UK. The real prize is finding the consumers who, up to now, have thought nothing can be done about it,” says Chris. “Its all about attracting new leads and helping our installers push those leads towards a purchase. Digital content consumption is the new driver and becoming more and more relevant to the plumbing and heating sector.”
In most cases, a pump can improve performance or simply provide better continuity of supply and pressure. Whether boosting mains pressure or the water supplies to individual showers, taps and cisterns, Salamander has a family of products to help provide a solution. HomeBoost is an innovative, compact and competitively priced solution for low mains water pressure and flow. Installed directly onto the incoming mains before the boiler appliance, the pump recognises when pressure is low and automatically regulates flow to 12 ltrs/min in compliance with water fitting regulations. CT Xtra and brass model CT Force represent the companys improved range of entry level shower pumps that deliver greater hydraulic efficiency and a significant noise reduction. ESP pumps are Salamanders electronic range of premium shower and whole house pumps that operate in positive or negative head installations.
Find out more
To find out more about Salamanders Plumbers Network please visit the website:www.salamanderpumps.co.uk/plumbers-network. Registration for the scheme can also be completed online.