How merchants can support low-carbon repair and maintenance

Andrew Lenton, Director of Business Development at Pipe Centre, explores the changing role of merchants in supporting contractors and SMEs to deliver more efficient, lower-carbon outcomes through better repair and maintenance practices.

As the construction and building services industry continues to evolve in line with decarbonisation goals, contractors and facilities managers must adapt to a changing landscape or risk being left behind. While much of the focus is often on new-build and next-generation technologies, the importance of existing building stock and the role of repair and maintenance (R&M) in achieving carbon reduction targets should not be underestimated.

The role of repair and maintenance
With such a large proportion of non-domestic and residential buildings requiring ongoing maintenance, R&M will continue to play a central role in improving energy efficiency and reducing operational carbon. In many cases, upgrading and optimising existing systems can deliver meaningful improvements without the need for full system replacement.

This shift is being driven by a combination of factors. Legislative targets, corporate ESG commitments and rising energy costs are all pushing building owners to improve performance. At the same time, the UK’s net zero commitment by 2050 is reshaping expectations around how buildings are maintained, not just how they are built.

New expectations for existing systems
What is becoming increasingly clear is that decarbonisation is not just about installing new technology, but about getting more out of what is already in place. For many buildings, particularly older commercial assets, there is a significant opportunity to improve efficiency through targeted maintenance and component upgrades. Whether that’s optimising heating system controls, replacing inefficient pumps or improving pipework insulation, small interventions can add up to a meaningful reduction in energy use.

For contractors and facilities managers, however, this is not always straightforward. They are working in environments where systems vary widely in age, specification and condition, often under tight timeframes and operational constraints. As a result, having access to the right products, guidance and technical support becomes critical, and this is where merchants can make a real difference.

Traditionally, merchants have been viewed primarily as distributors. But as the demands placed on the industry have evolved, so too has their role. Today, merchants are increasingly acting as technical partners to contractors and SMEs who are navigating the complexities of low-carbon repair and maintenance. That means going beyond simply supplying products and instead helping customers make better-informed decisions at an early stage.

In practice, this might involve advising on suitable replacement components for ageing systems, highlighting more efficient alternatives, or supporting the selection of products that improve overall system performance rather than just maintaining the status quo. It is often these early conversations that make the biggest difference, which in turn help to avoid inefficiencies, reduce rework and ensure that maintenance activity contributes to wider decarbonisation goals.

One of the key challenges in the R&M space is balancing the need to support existing systems with the transition towards lower-carbon solutions.

Many buildings still rely on traditional heating and water systems, meaning there is an ongoing requirement for conventional components and replacement parts. At the same time, demand is growing for more efficient technologies such as advanced controls, high-efficiency pumps and low-temperature system upgrades.

Merchants therefore need to maintain a dual focus: ensuring availability of legacy components while continuing to evolve product ranges to reflect where the market is heading. This requires close collaboration with manufacturers, a strong understanding of customer demand, and the flexibility to respond to regional and sector-specific variations.

Closing the skills and knowledge gap
A major barrier to effective low-carbon R&M is the ongoing skills gap within the industry. Contractors and FM teams are being asked to work with increasingly complex systems, often with limited time to upskill or retrain. This is particularly evident among SMEs, who may not have the internal resources or dedicated training functions available to larger organisations. Instead, they often rely on external support and supply chain partners to help bridge knowledge gaps.

Through product training, technical workshops and day-to-day support at the trade counter, merchants can help build confidence and capability across the supply chain. Increasingly, digital tools are also supporting this shift, providing easier access to technical information, installation guidance and product data when it is needed most. While this does not replace formal training, it does help improve decision-making in real time.

Supporting compliance and best practice
Alongside technical challenges, contractors and facilities managers are also dealing with an increasingly complex regulatory environment. Building regulations, energy efficiency standards and sustainability requirements continue to evolve, placing greater emphasis on system performance and compliance.
In this context, merchants can help reduce uncertainty by staying close to regulatory changes and ensuring customers understand what they mean in practical terms.

This could include identifying compliant product solutions, providing supporting documentation, or simply offering clear, practical advice based on real-world application. In doing so, merchants help reduce risk and support better outcomes for both installers and building owners.

Collaboration across the supply chain
Ultimately, successful decarbonisation of the built environment cannot be achieved in isolation. It requires closer collaboration between manufacturers, merchants, contractors and end users.
Merchants sit in a unique position within this ecosystem. With visibility across supply and demand, as well as direct engagement with those delivering work on the ground, we are well placed to connect technical innovation with practical application.

By sharing feedback from customers with manufacturers and translating new product developments into usable solutions for contractors, merchants can help ensure that innovation is not only available but also adoptable.

As the industry continues its transition towards net zero, the importance of repair and maintenance will only increase. Improving the efficiency of existing systems remains one of the most immediate and cost-effective ways to reduce emissions in the built environment.

For merchants, this represents both a responsibility and an opportunity. It is about continuing to evolve by moving from product supply to technical partnership, and from reactive support to proactive guidance.

At Pipe Centre, we see this as a natural extension of our role within the industry. By combining product expertise with practical support and strong supply chain relationships, we can help contractors and SMEs navigate the complexities of low-carbon repair and maintenance with greater confidence.

Those who embrace this shift, invest in knowledge, collaboration and innovation, will be best placed to support the industry’s journey towards a lower-carbon future.

www.wolseley.co.uk/pipe-centre/.