22 May 2026
The UK’s shift to electrification is accelerating. For plumbing and heating merchants, it represents one of the most significant transitions in decades.
As heat pumps, solar PV, battery storage and smart energy systems move further into the mainstream, the traditional lines between plumbing and electrical trades are blurring. New technologies demand new skills, new partnerships and new supply chain models. For merchants, the opportunity lies in evolving alongside installers and becoming a central hub for integrated low-carbon solutions.
In a recent feature for Electrical Contracting News (ECN), Hemal Morjaria, Chief Commercial Officer of Heating & Renewables at City Plumbing, explored how the sector is already adapting to this change.
Electrification is reshaping who merchants serve and how they serve them. Electrical contractors are increasingly entering the heating market, particularly through heat pump installations, while plumbing and heating engineers are upskilling to deliver renewable and low-carbon technologies. This convergence means merchants must think beyond traditional trade silos. Installations that once sat squarely within plumbing now require collaboration with electricians, and technologies such as solar PV and battery storage are often specified alongside heat pumps. Customers expect joined-up solutions, not fragmented supply chains.
For merchants, that means broadening product ranges, deepening technical expertise and supporting customers with more complex product ecosystems. Heat pumps rarely operate in isolation; they form part of wider home energy systems that may include underfloor heating, smart controls, hot water storage, EV charging and solar generation. By bringing electrical and plumbing products together under one roof, merchants can help installers save time, reduce risk and streamline installations. The ability to source a complete solution from a single, knowledgeable partner reduces friction and improves project outcomes.
This evolution isn’t just about adding products to shelves. It requires investment in training, branch expertise and strategic partnerships with manufacturers to ensure installers have confidence in specifying and installing new technologies. As installers expand into renewables, they need accessible, affordable training and practical support, and merchants are uniquely positioned to facilitate this, acting as connectors between manufacturers, training providers and the trade.
City Plumbing continues to invest in heat pump training through its partnership with GTEC Training, its centres of excellence and mobile training rigs. Since 2023, more than 650 installers have been supported through accredited heat pump training, with further dates and incentives planned as demand continues to rise. With the £500 Heat Training Grant and a £160 City Plumbing credit available following completion of the course, the £660 training cost becomes effectively free, removing a key barrier for many sole traders and small businesses.
Ultimately, electrification is redefining the role of the wholesaler. Where once merchants primarily supplied individual components, today they are becoming strategic partners in the energy transition – helping customers navigate new regulations, technologies and funding mechanisms. By embracing electrification, investing in capability and breaking down traditional trade boundaries, plumbing and heating merchants can position themselves at the heart of the UK’s low-carbon future.
