NEWS EXTRA
WOLSELEY HIGHLIGHTS CHALLENGES IN HEAT PUMP TRANSITION
The UK’s largest plumbers merchant, Wolesley plc is in a prime position to help spearhead the take-up of heat pumps and renewable heating technology, as it explains in a far-reaching report, published last month.
THE TRANSITION FROM gas boilers to renewables will revolutionise the heating industry in ways not seen since the widespread adoption of central heating in homes. That’s according to John Hancock, chief operating officer, Wolseley UK, who adds that the industry should in no way underestimate the scale of the challenge.
He says: “If we are successful, every part of the sector in 2050 will look different than it does today: from the way in which heating systems are installed, and a home is heated, to fundamental shifts in supply chains and logistics. But with great challenge comes great opportunity.”
Wolseley, parent company of Plumb Centre and Renewables Centre, published a report highlighting both the scale of the UK’s transition to heat pumps and how industry and policymakers can work together to achieve upcoming decarbonisation targets. It was launched at Parliamentary reception hosted by Leamington Spa MP Matt Western.
The report highlights estimates from the Climate Change Committee that for the heating and building sector to hit the target of becoming net zero by 2050, 1.5 million heat pumps need to be installed a year by 2035. As Hancock points out, that’s over 15 times the nearly 100,000 that were installed last year. He believes that Wolseley group has a unique insight into the challenges for the sector. “Installers and consumers are at the heart of the heat pump journey. We need a skilled installer base that can be confident in delivering quality installations. We know that, when installed correctly, heat pumps can be three-to-four times more energy efficient than boilers, meaning they can perform just as
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are unlikely to have sufficient warehousing capacity, and, while the majority of installers collect gas boilers from local branches, that doesn;t really work for heat pumps, which are much heavier and larger.
well on a running cost basis. But without consumer confidence, we will not have the demand to drive the growth of heat pump installers. It’s therefore imperative that the right framework is in place to ensure heat pump, but also renewables, pathways are cost-effective, informative and achievable for installers and consumers,” he says.
“As the UK’s largest heating system merchant, we have the capability to support installers, developers and housing providers across the supply chain in successfully transporting and installing a range of technologies, such as heat pumps, direct electric, solar, EV chargers. Doing nothing is not an option”
The report highlights a number of issues that will need to be addressed if the take-up of heat pumps and renewables is to increase sufficiently. Heat pumps are larger and heavier that the gas boilers they will replace, requiring a rethink of logistics and deliveries. Small, local merchant branches
Consumer confidence needs to be boosted by incentives, to encourage heat pump purchases, and also to attract more installers into the sector. The report highlights that consumer demand will be a fundamental driver of building a trained installer base for heat pumps and renewables.
Legal target
The UK Government has a legally binding target to reach net zero by 2050, with an interim target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 68% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. With residential buildings being the second highest emitting sector in the UK economy, accounting for 12% of the UK’s emissions, decarbonising the UK’s homes is key to meeting that target. The UK’s transition from fossil fuel heating will require a complex shift for the built environment, requiring active engagement from homeowners, installers and the supply chain. The report points out that there is currently no mechanism that requires homeowners to change their heating system, meaning uptake relies entirely on voluntary
action. The UK still has lowest uptake of heat pumps in Europe, but stronger consumer demand would encourage installers to undertake more renewable work. Wolseley’s research found that most homeowners who bought a heat pump did so as part of a major home renovation, when moving house, or when replacing an ageing or broken heating system. At present, only 1% of homes use heat pumps as their primary heating system, despite research showing that around 80% of UK homes are technically suitable for installation. The report would like to see Government commit to: • timely release of and response to key consultations • publishing a detailed
implementation plan for the FHS, MEES for private and social rented homes, and related programmes. • confirming the continuation of support schemes, and an extension of the BUS beyond this parliamentary period. • defined timelines and funding details for all relevant policies and schemes. • clear targets for renewable measures and expected installation volumes.
Hancock says: “Decarbonising homes will be pivotal to the UK achieving its target of reaching net zero emissions by 2050. The transition to renewable heating in homes requires a drastic change in the technologies we use, the logistics behind how they are stored, moved, and delivered, and the accompanying skilled workforce to enable the change. “Wolseley has already
committed significant capital to support the shift to low-carbon heat and stands ready to invest further in response to clear signals from government. I invite this government to engage with us on the path to change.” BMJ
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net December 2025
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