Renewable Energy Systems
MPM Plumbing & Mechanical Services installs renewable and low-carbon energy systems for commercial and domestic properties across London and the South East, helping clients reduce their carbon footprint, lower energy bills, and meet increasingly stringent sustainability requirements.
About This Service
The transition to net zero is reshaping how buildings across the UK are heated, cooled, and powered. From heat pumps and solar thermal to energy recovery systems and low-carbon district heating connections, renewable technology is moving rapidly from niche to mainstream — and MPM is at the forefront of this shift, with the mechanical expertise to install these systems to the highest standard.
Our renewable energy work covers the full mechanical installation scope — from primary pipework and plant connections through to integration with existing building services infrastructure, controls, and BMS. We work alongside specialist equipment suppliers, M&E consultants, and main contractors to ensure renewable systems are correctly integrated, properly commissioned, and handed over with full documentation.
Decarbonising existing buildings presents particular challenges — legacy pipework, space constraints, and the need to maintain heating continuity during switchover all require careful planning and experienced engineering judgement. MPM has the knowledge and track record to navigate these challenges, having delivered low-carbon installations across a range of commercial and residential project types.
What We Offer
- Air source heat pump (ASHP) pipework installation
- Ground source heat pump (GSHP) pipework and manifold installation
- Solar thermal collector and cylinder connections
- Low-temperature distribution pipework for heat pump systems
- Buffer vessel and thermal store installation
- Integration with existing heating systems
- Energy recovery unit pipework connections
- System commissioning, pressure testing, and handover
Frequently Asked Questions
MPM installs the mechanical pipework and plant connections for a range of renewable energy technologies, including air source heat pumps (ASHP), ground source heat pumps (GSHP), solar thermal systems, and energy recovery units. We manage the full mechanical scope — from primary pipework and buffer vessel connections through to integration with the building's existing heating and hot water infrastructure — working alongside the specialist equipment supplier and electrical contractor.
Renewable energy systems — particularly heat pumps — are highly sensitive to the quality of the pipework installation. Undersized pipework, incorrectly positioned buffer vessels, poor insulation, or inadequate system flushing can all significantly reduce system efficiency and increase running costs. MPM installs renewable energy pipework to the manufacturer's requirements and current best practice guidelines, ensuring the system performs as designed and the client realises the full energy savings available.
Yes. MPM has experience managing the particular challenges of retrofitting renewable technology into existing buildings — working around legacy pipework, maintaining heating continuity during the changeover, and adapting existing distribution systems to work effectively at the lower flow temperatures required by heat pumps. We work closely with the design team and equipment supplier to plan the retrofit in detail before work begins.
Solar thermal systems use roof-mounted collectors to capture heat from the sun, which is transferred via a glycol circuit to a twin-coil hot water cylinder. The solar circuit pre-heats the stored water, reducing the amount of energy the boiler or heat pump needs to provide. MPM installs the solar circuit pipework, twin-coil cylinder connections, pump station, expansion vessel, and all associated controls — delivering a fully functional solar thermal installation ready for commissioning.
In most cases, domestic renewable energy installations — such as air source heat pumps and solar thermal panels — fall under permitted development rights and do not require planning permission, subject to specific size and location conditions. Commercial installations or properties in conservation areas or listed buildings may require consent. MPM always advises clients to confirm the planning position for their specific property before installation begins, and can provide guidance on the permitted development rules.
Government incentives for renewable energy change periodically. At the time of writing, schemes such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) provide grants toward the cost of heat pump installations for domestic and small commercial properties. Commercial projects may also benefit from enhanced capital allowances and other tax incentives. MPM recommends that clients check the latest available incentives with an energy consultant or via the relevant government websites before committing to a renewable energy installation.
