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\u201cI think to myself: \u2018If they were on gas or oil, it would be costing them an absolute wedge.\u2019 I enjoy that aspect of the job: sitting back and watching it all run smoothly. There\u2019s a sense of reward, and a sense of peace of mind.\u201d<\/p>\n
GE has been in the renewables game for more than 25 years, but branched out into designing and fitting green tech systems such as heat pumps and solar panels three years ago. <\/p>\n
Willis joined when GE acquired the heat pump installers, Igloo. He thrives on the creative challenge of his work, dreaming up innovative ways to simplify the complex logistics of installing heat pumps on volume, but he\u2019s equally happy giving his geekier side free rein.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you get a customer that\u2019s really enthusiastic, you end up spending hours on the phone, just nerding out with each other!\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
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\n Alex Willis, a design and technical manager at Good Energy (GE) thrives on the creative challenge of his work, dreaming up innovative ways to simplify the complex logistics of installing heat pumps on volume, but he\u2019s equally happy giving his geekier side free rein\n <\/p>\n
Heat pump installations enjoyed a record year in the UK in 2024, despite the best efforts of mainstream media blowing cold on the idea. For Willis, much of the challenge in his work comes in tackling negative press and the rogue installers that give the heat pump industry a bad name.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you get people who don\u2019t do it well, it leaves a nasty stain on heat pumps in general, so part of my job involves helping turn that around,\u201d he explains. \u201cIf I get the opportunity to speak to customers, I try to put them at ease. Sometimes I\u2019ll get involved in the comments in Facebook groups and forums.\u201d<\/p>\n
When he\u2019s not spinning plates at work, Willis enjoys spinning records as his DJ alter-ego, putting on under-the-radar parties and tearing up dancefloors in Ibiza.<\/p>\n
You know that feeling of low-key excitement, that feeling in the bottom of your stomach that something big is coming? That\u2019s what it feels like right now<\/p>\n
Being part of the clean energy revolution comes as a secondary bonus with his design role, but he still gets a kick out of GE\u2019s annual internal reports, which details the hundreds of tonnes of planet-warming carbon saved by his team\u2019s installations.<\/p>\n
He likens the current buzz around heat pumps to the solar PV boom 15 years ago, but \u2013 Willis says \u2013 this time it\u2019s different.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know that feeling of low-key excitement, that feeling in the bottom of your stomach that something big is coming? That\u2019s what it feels like right now. The future is a whole home approach: solar tying into EV charger, storage and heat pump.\u201d he thrills. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe excitement is in making all these things work really well together, and bringing them to the masses. The push now is holistic \u2013 and that gives me optimism.\u201d<\/p>\n
Photography: Good Energy\u00a0<\/p>\n
The facts:<\/p>\n
\n 3\n <\/p>\n
times faster. That’s how quickly the net zero sector is growing compared to the overall UK economy, according to analysis by the Confederation of British Industry. <\/p>\n
\n 10
\n %\n <\/p>\n
The net zero sector soared by this amount in 2024 alone. <\/p>\n
\n \u00a3
\n 83
\n bn\n <\/p>\n
The gross value generated by UK companies in the net zero sector through goods and services last year.<\/p>\n
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