PHAM NEWS | MARCH 2026 6 News Review Record-breaking year for UK renewables


A record 267,032 rooftop solar panels were installed across UK homes and small businesses in 2025, marking the highest annual fi gure since records began. Heat pump and battery storage installations also reached all-time highs. Data from the Microgeneration


Certifi cation Scheme (MCS) shows more than 60,000 heat pumps and over 40,000 battery storage units were certifi ed last year. This equates to one new renewable energy system every 90 seconds, a 34% increase on 2024, bringing the total number of certifi ed installations since 2009 to 2.4 million. The energy produced by 2025’s


installations is estimated at 1.8 billion kWh annually, enough to power the London Underground network, including Overground lines and


Call to add lead solder checks to property surveys


Prospective homebuyers want to see


lead in homes in pre-sale surveys, research by WaterSafe


shows.


The national survey found 82% of people believe it is important for home surveys to include checks for lead pipes, with almost half (48%) saying this is very important. Only 8% said such checks were not important. Business owners also called for property surveys to check for lead pipes, with 50% saying it is very important and 42% saying it is fairly important. Only one per cent said it is not at all important. The fi ndings echo concerns


Plumbing complaints on the rise


New fi gures from Citizens Advice reveal a 33% increase in complaints about plumbers and plumbing, rising to 2,986 in 2025


from 2,175 in 2024. Overall, nearly 40,000 complaints were made in England about home maintenance and improvements last year. Plumbing ranks fourth in complaint numbers, behind roofi ng, major renovations, and window/door work. Floor covering installations saw the largest percentage increase, up 181% from 2024, while glazing services halved. The fi gures account for complaints which fall under the categories of ‘home maintenance and improvements’, ‘glazing products and installations’, as


well as ‘fl oor coverings’. Jack Reading from Emperor


Paint, which supplied the recent Citizens Advice data, highlights key practices for installers to build trust and maintain a strong reputation. His best practice tips are: provide clear, detailed quotes outlining scope, materials and timescales; explain how the work will be carried out and what results the customer should expect; show evidence of previous similar projects; and be transparent about the products you use, why they’re suitable, and their limitations.


recently raised by the Chief Inspector of the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), Marcus Rink, who said all fi ttings, taps and solder should be checked, in addition to pipes. He said: “Water supply elements should be included in homebuyers’ reports as standard, so when someone buys a property, they have clear information on the type of water supply, and whether there is


greater transparency about


topping the list. Solar installations on new-build properties account for 36% of the total. Government funding supports uptake, with 27% of installations funded wholly or in part by public schemes. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is particularly influential for heat pumps, covering 43% of certified units in 2025, with 95% satisfaction among recipients. Ian Rippin, CEO of MCS, says: “It’s


associated offi ces, for a year. Total installed capacity across all MCS- certifi ed systems now exceeds 10GW. Installation growth is widespread, with Cornwall, Somerset and


North Yorkshire recording the highest volume. When adjusted for household numbers, Welsh local authorities lead, with Isle of Anglesey, Ceredigion and Gwynedd


any legacy lead in the property’s water system.” Lead solder has been banned for use in drinking water systems for more than 30 years, yet cases continue to emerge where it has been used illegally, including in newly built or recently refurbished homes. Lead exposure is particularly harmful to children, aff ecting development, behaviour and long-term health, and growing public awareness places increased pressure on the housing and plumbing sectors to ensure compliance and prevent illegal materials from entering drinking water systems.


Jonathan Samuel, MD of


WaterSafe, comments: “The public is sending a very clear message: they want lead risks identifi ed before they buy a home or business property, and they expect action when lead pipes or illegal lead solder are found. Including these checks in surveys would give people the information they need to make safe decisions.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/326/05


great to see the record-breaking uptake of small-scale renewables across the UK, and these fi gures are only set to increase following the release of the government’s Warm Homes Plan. This represents a fantastic opportunity for the sector to grow, but it’s critical that as more people invest in home-grown energy, certified installations continue to underpin consumer confi dence.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/326/04


NEWS IN BRIEF


◼ Glow-worm has signed a 12-month corporate sponsorship with UK charity Band of Builders, supporting tradespeople and their families in times of crisis. Building on its Got Your Back campaign, Glow-worm aims to raise awareness of the charity’s 24-hour wellbeing services, while encouraging installers and the wider construction industry to volunteer and support projects nationwide throughout 2026 (see page 8).


◼ Dublin-based plumbing and heating


special ist


Instantor celebrated its 100th anniversary last month. Founded in 1926, the firm claims to have patented the original brass compression fitting and has since introduced a portfolio of press tools and fi ttings. In 2024, Instantor expanded into the UK market, and in 2025 launched six new products.


Returning to the UK for the fi rst time since 1990, this year’s World Plumbing Conference will focus on the theme ‘Worldwide Problems, Global Solutions’ to guide conversations across the three-day event. The conference will be hosted by both the CIPHE and the World Plumbing Council, in collaboration with InstallerSHOW. Taking place from 23 to 25 June at Birmingham’s NEC, the conference is set to welcome over 500 international delegates to discuss key global challenges facing the industry. Registration is now open, with a full three-day delegate pass priced at £415+VAT, and concessions for CIPHE members starting at £200+VAT. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/326/06


Clean water project in Nepal


Four members of the CIPHE/WCoP Plumbing Professionals Development Scheme have completed a community-led water supply project in rural Nepal, delivering a 24-hour gravity-fed system to the remote village of Bokhejunda in Rasuwa District. The upgraded infrastructure provides safe running water to around 60 residents, improving hygiene, health and quality of life. Volunteers Ruben Duggan, Daisy Turner, Ollie Salmon and Ethan Wynn also visited local plumbing schools, donating educational resources and fos- tering knowledge exchange between the UK and Nepal plumbing communities. The project was made possible thanks to the support of City & Guilds Foundation, Nineteen Group, Mark Vitow, Intergas Heating and Catchpole & Rye, whose support helped fund essential costs. Kevin Wellman, CEO at CIPHE, says: “This project is a shining


example of how skilled plumbing professionals can make a meaningful and lasting diff erence to communities in need.”


◼ DAB Pumps has launched a refreshed brand identity, ‘Making Water Easy’, refl ecting its focus on simplifying water management. The update includes new visual guidelines and a consistent tone across digital and physical channels, aimed at supporting installers, specifi ers, merchants and end users.


◼ As part of National Appren-


ticeship Week, JTL launched a campaign highlighting the people behind successful apprenticeships: apprentices, employers, and JTL training officers. Developed with Leeds-based agency Harris Creative, the campaign showcased JTL’s employer- led approach, personalised support and nationwide training network.


◼ SkillsForge is the name of Knipex’s online learning hub for apprentices, launched last month. The platform provides free access to practical training content and tailored resources designed to help apprentices develop skills, confi dence and good working habits from the start of their careers in the trades.


◼ To support its ongoing


growth, AKW is relocating to a larger 170,000ft2 facility at Droitwich 170 on Berry Hill Industrial Estate. The sustainable, BREEAM ‘Excellent’ building will consol idate UK head office, warehousing and distribution. AKW partnered with Uniserve to manage logist ics, with phased relocation of operations expected to continue through the year.


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