Retaining folks toasty by way of renewable vitality 


Alex Willis – design and technical supervisor at Good Power

Sub-zero temperatures may give most of us the shivers however for Alex Willis, a design and technical supervisor at sustainable vitality stalwarts Good Power (GE), a chilly spell ensures a heat, fuzzy feeling.

Willis heads up a small crew designing warmth pump programs, and nothing offers him larger satisfaction than the sure information that GE’s clients are toasty of their cosy properties.

“Within the depths of winter, when it’s minus 10 exterior and the telephones are quiet – that’s when you already know there are a whole bunch of homes on the market that you just’ve put well-designed programs into, and so they’re snug.”

“I feel to myself: ‘In the event that they have been on gasoline or oil, it will be costing them an absolute wedge.’ I take pleasure in that facet of the job: sitting again and watching all of it run easily. There’s a way of reward, and a way of peace of thoughts.”

GE has been within the renewables sport for greater than 25 years, however branched out into designing and becoming inexperienced tech programs corresponding to warmth pumps and photo voltaic panels three years in the past.

Willis joined when GE acquired the warmth pump installers, Igloo. He thrives on the artistic problem of his work, dreaming up revolutionary methods to simplify the advanced logistics of putting in warmth pumps on quantity, however he’s equally blissful giving his geekier facet free rein.

“While you get a buyer that’s actually enthusiastic, you find yourself spending hours on the telephone, simply nerding out with one another!” he says.

Warmth pump installations loved a report 12 months within the UK in 2024, regardless of one of the best efforts of mainstream media blowing chilly on the thought. For Willis, a lot of the problem in his work is available in tackling detrimental press and the rogue installers that give the warmth pump trade a nasty title.

“While you get individuals who don’t do it effectively, it leaves a nasty stain on warmth pumps generally, so a part of my job includes serving to flip that round,” he explains. “If I get the chance to talk to clients, I attempt to put them relaxed. Typically I’ll get entangled within the feedback in Fb teams and boards.”

When he’s not spinning plates at work, Willis enjoys spinning information as his DJ alter-ego, placing on under-the-radar events and tearing up dancefloors in Ibiza.

You realize that feeling of low-key pleasure, that feeling within the backside of your abdomen that one thing large is coming? That’s what it looks like proper now

Being a part of the clear vitality revolution comes as a secondary bonus along with his design function, however he nonetheless will get a kick out of GE’s annual inside reviews, which particulars the a whole bunch of tonnes of planet-warming carbon saved by his crew’s installations.

He likens the present buzz round warmth pumps to the photo voltaic PV growth 15 years in the past, however – Willis says – this time it’s totally different.

“You realize that feeling of low-key pleasure, that feeling within the backside of your abdomen that one thing large is coming? That’s what it looks like proper now. The longer term is a complete residence method: photo voltaic tying into EV charger, storage and warmth pump.” he thrills.

“The joy is in making all this stuff work very well collectively, and bringing them to the lots. The push now’s holistic – and that provides me optimism.”

Pictures: Good Power