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Precise Installs
Case study

Precise Installs: adapting to growing heat pump installation demand

Scott Murphy and William Walker at Precise Installs share why and how they diversified their business by recruiting more staff and increasing their online presence so that they could meet the increased demand for heat pumps.

Location notice

Please note that this page contains information and links most relevant for people living in Scotland.

Scott and William standing in front of their Precise Installs van.

Background

To meet the Scottish Government’s net zero 2045 target, it’s estimated that at least one million on-gas homes need zero emissions heating by 2030. As a result, many businesses such as Precise Installs are seeing the demand for heat pump installations increase.

To meet this demand, engineers Scott Murphy and William Walker, directors and owners at Precise Installs, took steps to diversify and increase the capacity of their business.

Based in Blantyre, South Lanarkshire, and established seven years ago, Precise Installs has a team of 30 staff members and six apprentices. The business offers a wide variety of services, including plumbing and heating solutions, bespoke bathroom design and installation, and new build housing projects. It also offers design and installation services for air and ground source heat pumps.

Man installing heat pump

Growing demand

With Scott and William having undertaken their BPEC Heat Pump Qualification training, they set out to increase their understanding of heat pump installations further by attending multiple manufacturer training modules. It was clear to them that heat pump installation would become important to their sector. Scott explained:

“Our motivation came from two things: the organic demand from our customer base and the natural progression that our industry will need to adapt to. We wanted to be ahead of the curve!”

The increase in demand was a big motivator to diversify. Scott said:

“In the last three months, our customer’s focus and demand for heat pumps has grown month on month. This has seen the demand [for heat pumps] far outweigh our gas boiler leads.”

Scott and William decided to expand their team and grow their business to meet this demand. They’ve hired two more engineers, and they’re also looking for an in-house sales and design manager and two additional engineers.

The business is also Microgeneration Certification Standard (MCS) accredited for both design and installation. MCS certification is a mark of quality that shows that products and installation contractors comply with recognised industry standards.

Scott feels having this certification has created “security and stability” for Precise Installs’ clients and customers. The certification also allows potential customers to access loan and grant funding available from Home Energy Scotland (HES) because only MCS-certified installers are eligible for HES funded installations.

Scott and William are both encouraged by the enthusiasm their engineers have shown for heat pump installations. William explained: “Our engineers love it! It’s a different challenge for them than the normal day they face.”

Man installing heat pump

Results

It’s clear that by diversifying the business and increasing capacity, Scott and William are investing in the future of Precise Installs and reaching net zero targets. Scott pointed out:

“I think we will see exponential growth within our business as the demand is naturally going to continue to grow to meet the targets and expectations set at government level.”

An additional step Precise Installs has taken is to improve its online visibility by being more active on social media. Scott and William have found using a copywriter valuable, as they regularly post blogs aimed at their customer-base.

They’re also redesigning their renewables web page to include a quick quote tool. They hope this tool will further simplify the journey for customers who want to get a heat pump.

If you’re thinking about diversifying your business to prepare it for a renewables shift, read about how to become a heat pump installer in Scotland in our guide.

You can also browse through our resources on our support for green heat installers page or contact our team at greeninstallerscotland@est.org.uk.

Last updated: 2 February 2023