PHAM NEWS | FEBRUARY 2025 18 Energy Matters Trades more focussed on efficiency


A new survey has found that UK tradespeople feel more confident in their energy efficiency knowledge, helped by an 8% rise in training courses being completed in the last year. The survey, undertaken on


Growth in demand for small scale renewables


Last year saw a record- breaking number of small scale renewables installed across the UK, according to the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). Figures from the MCS Data Dashboard show there were more than 260,000 certified installations in UK homes and small businesses last year, including heat pumps, solar


and battery storage. This is a 7% increase compared to 2023, which itself was a record year for installations. The record-breaking numbers from last year have also taken the total number of certified installations past the 2 million mark, highlighting the nation’s growing commitment to renewable technologies for heating and powering homes and businesses. Heat pumps saw a significant


rise, with almost 60,000 certified installations – a 43% increase on 2023. This milestone brings the total number of certified heat pump installations in the UK to over 275,000. It is thought that the Boiler Upgrade Scheme


(BUS), available in England and Wales, and the Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan, available in Scotland, have both played a key part in accelerating demand from homeowners. Solar PV continues to lead the way as the most popular renewable technology, with over 180,000 certified installations recorded last year, while battery storage saw record-breaking numbers with nearly 20,000 certified installations. “It’s fantastic to see the


record-breaking uptake of renewable energy technologies across the UK,” says Ian Rippin, CEO at MCS. “More consumers are making the switch to home- grown energy, placing their trust in MCS certified contractors to give them confidence in their renewable installations. As the numbers rise and more people benefit from home- grown energy, it’s crucial that standards are maintained in order to continue the momentum.” Minister for Energy Consumers


Miatta Fahnbulleh adds: “It is excellent news that clean energy is now within reach for more people than ever. From heat pumps to solar panels, renewables are essential for supporting working people to secure affordable, homegrown power for their homes and businesses.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/225/28


behalf of Screwfix, also revealed that two thirds (66%) of all jobs conducted by the nation’s tradespeople over the past year have had an energy saving focus. This is up from just over half (54%) in 2023 as more homeowners are motivated to make the switch to energy saving products, to help them save money on energy bills. With rising consumer demand


for energy saving solutions, tradespeople are committing to further training so they can offer customers the best-informed advice and product choice. More than 600 tradespeople


took part in the survey, with 25% of those completing in-person training and a further 15% completing training online that was focused on installing energy efficient products or renewable energy technology. As a result, 90% of tradespeople say they now feel ‘very knowledgeable/


somewhat knowledgeable’ when it comes to advising customers on energy efficiency – compared to 84% in 2023. The survey also revealed


that tradespeople are being asked to undertake a range of energy saving jobs, including the installation of new radiators (37%), smart thermostat installation (33%) and central heating maintenance (29%). When asked which potential


government-led incentives would


encourage more homeowners to invest in energy efficient measures, 61% of tradespeople said energy efficiency grants for home improvements. The removal of VAT on labour also remained a popular choice, advocated by 35%. To make it easier for customers


to identify products that offer at least one sustainable feature, Screwfix has added a Green Star mark to certain products such as smart thermostats, taps and TRVs. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/225/29


Survey identifies top energy suppliers


Consumer advocate Which? has named Octopus Energy, Utility Warehouse, and 100Green as the top energy suppliers for 2025, based on a survey of nearly 12,000 customers across Great Britain. The annual survey evaluated


17 suppliers, assessing customer feedback alongside operational practices. Key factors included customer support, complaint handling, smart meter performance, and ease of contact. Utility Warehouse scored


highest overall but fell short in customer satisfaction. Despite


Trial to promote low carbon homes


With the aim of promoting sustainable living across the UK, British Gas has announced the launch of Low Carbon Homes – a pilot scheme launched in partnership with Strata and heat pump manufacturer, Daikin. In anticipation of The Future


Homes Standard, customers will move into new build homes which have been fitted with a full range of the latest low-carbon technology at no extra cost to the housebuilder or owner. The homes will be equipped with a 6-8kWh Daikin air source heat pump, 4kWh solar panels, 5kWh battery storage, Hive electric vehicle charger and thermostat. All these items will be integrated into the Hive app, providing customers with one-


stop visibility and control of their energy usage. The first trial phase will launch


at Strata’s ‘Breathe’ development site in Kiveton, Rotherham. As a thank you for participating in the pilot, British Gas is giving homeowners access to a fixed rate tailored British Gas tariff. Participants in the trial will also have access to a dedicated energy manager to help them optimise the technology and keep bills as low as possible, while still meeting their desired comfort levels. Strata currently builds more


than 700 homes a year and will work together with British Gas and Daikin to identify more locations to roll out the offering following


the initial launch. “Through this partnership, we


are empowering homeowners with the latest green technology and providing them with more control and transparency over their energy usage,” says Catherine O’Kelly, MD at British Gas Energy. “Our proposition will allow new build development sites to equip their properties with the very best low-carbon technology, meet new legislative requirements and deliver energy-efficient homes that are fit for the future. This is all part of our ambition to energise a greener, fairer future.” Iain Bevan, new business


director – renewable heating at Daikin, adds: “Connecting air source heat pumps to technology


strong operational scores, customers reported difficulties in reaching support and found communications unclear, which negatively impacted customer perceptions. In contrast, Octopus


Energy and 100Green stood out for their high customer satisfaction ratings. Octopus Energy, now the UK’s largest electricity supplier, received praise for its service quality and effective communication. Both companies earned the title of Which? Recommended Provider, requiring a minimum customer


score of 70% and at least three stars in all categories. The lowest-ranked suppliers


were British Gas, Ovo Energy, and So Energy, all scoring poorly in customer satisfaction and operational practices. Ovo Energy and Scottish Power had particularly low customer scores, indicating significant dissatisfaction. The average customer score


across all suppliers this year was 66%, showing a slight improvement from previous years. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/225/30


platforms like Hive is a key part of the UK’s decarbonisation journey, opening up the potential for significant benefit to homeowners and housing developers alike.


We look forward to supporting the ongoing development of the customer experience at Strata’s Breathe site.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/225/31


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