Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
Wolseley Group, parent company of Plumb Centre and Renewables Centre, has 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.
Shared at a Westminster reception hosted by Matt Western MP, the report shows that heat pump installations must increase fifteen-fold to meet the UK’s net zero targets. Hitting this target means rapidly expanding the trained installer base and removing barriers that currently make the switch harder than it needs to be.
Wolseley has already begun scaling up to meet demand. The business has invested in a 100,000 sq ft fulfilment centre, opened Renewables Centre locations across the UK, and trained more than 250 installers since June 2025.
John Hancock, chief operating officer at Wolseley Group, says “Installers are at the heart of the UK’s low-carbon future and they can’t be expected to make the transition alone. Our report highlights not just the scale of the challenge, but the practical support needed to get there training, investment in supply chains, and clear long-term policy signals. We’ve seen this kind of transformation before, when Wolseley helped drive the rollout of gas heating in the 70s and 80s. Now we have an opportunity to do it again, supporting the trade to grow their businesses and lead the shift to low-carbon heating.”
Wolseley’s policy recommendations include extending the Heat Training Grant to March 2029 and rolling it out across Scotland and Wales, publishing clear timelines for the Future Homes Standard and Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards and strengthening consumer protection and supporting a flexible approach so installers can choose the right solution for each home.
The full report is available online.
