Top 10 Home Upgrade Installers in the UK 2026
Finding a reliable home upgrade installer can make a big difference to the quality, cost and long-term performance of your project. With so many UK companies offering insulation, heating, solar panels, batteries and retrofit services in 2026, it helps to know which installers are worth considering before booking a survey.
In this guide, we rank the top 10 home upgrade installers in the UK, highlight what each company is best suited for, and explain the key checks to make before choosing one. Whether you are planning a full home energy upgrade or one specific improvement, this list will help you compare your options with more confidence.
Quick answer: Best home upgrade installers in the UK
The best home upgrade installers in the UK combine strong coverage, clear quotes, recognised accreditations, quality installation standards and proper aftercare. For 2026, our top 10 list includes national providers, renewable specialists and grant-led home energy upgrade companies.
| Rank | Installer | Best for | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Octopus Energy | Smart home energy upgrades | Visit Website |
| 2 | British Gas / Hive | National brand support | British Gas / Hive |
| 3 | Simple Green Energy | Heating, insulation, solar and grant-led upgrades | Visit Website |
| 4 | E.ON Next / E.ON Energy | Grant-supported home efficiency upgrades | E.ON Next / E.ON Energy |
| 5 | Aira | Heat pump-first home energy systems | Visit Website |
| 6 | EDF Heat Pumps / CB Heating | Specialist heat pump installation | EDF Heat Pumps / CB Heating |
| 7 | Glow Green | Multi-product home upgrades | Visit Website |
| 8 | Heatable | Digital quote journey and fast installations | Visit Website |
| 9 | Evergreen Renewable Energy | Regional renewable energy installations | Visit Website |
| 10 | UK Alternative Energy | Midlands renewable energy expertise | Visit Website |
This list was shaped around service range, public trust signals, upgrade coverage, accreditation signals and the selection style used in the attached reference blog, which compared installers using reviews, company background, accreditations, experience, service quality and sustainability focus.
1. Octopus Energy
Best for: Smart energy upgrades, heat pumps, solar panels, batteries and EV chargers.
Octopus Energy is one of the strongest choices for homeowners who want a connected upgrade journey. Its smart home tech offering covers heat pumps, solar, battery storage and EV charging, making it useful for households planning a full low-carbon setup rather than a single measure.
Octopus also offers solar and battery installation, with online cost estimates and post-installation support.
Why it stands out
- Strong national brand
- Heat pump, solar, battery and EV options
- Smart tariff integration
- Good fit for homeowners planning multiple upgrades
2. British Gas / Hive
Best for: Homeowners who want a familiar national provider.
British Gas offers air source heat pump installation and says it only installs a heat pump where it is confident the system can heat the home properly. Its heat pump page also highlights grant availability, subject to eligibility and scheme rules.
For solar, British Gas works through Hive, which offers solar panels, batteries, EV charging and heating control through the Hive app.
Why it stands out
- Recognisable UK energy brand
- Heat pump and solar options
- Hive smart-home integration
- Useful for homeowners wanting one large provider behind the process
e every household receives the same amount. The level of support depends on the property, the measure package, the supplier, the installer and the expected energy-saving score.
For this funding route, customer contributions may be required. Ofgem says energy companies decide which retrofit projects they fund, how much support they provide, and that customers may be asked to contribute towards installation costs. Ofgem also encourages households to compare offers before agreeing to work.
Ofgem’s ECO4 delivery guidance also confirms that, from May 2024, operatives must record the financial amount a consumer contributes towards any ECO4 measure in the Customer Contribution field of the TrustMark Retrofit Portal. DESNZ or Ofgem may request evidence of that contribution, such as an invoice, bank statement or other transaction record.
In simple terms: contribution amounts should be clear, documented and agreed before work starts.
3. Simple Green Energy
Best for: Heating, insulation, solar, ventilation and grant-led home upgrades across England and Wales.
Simple Green Energy focuses on practical home energy upgrades, including renewable heating, solar, insulation and ventilation solutions across England and Wales. Its website positions the company around home energy upgrades, government grant routes and professional installers.
The company’s LinkedIn profile also lists retrofit assessments and installations across boiler upgrades, first-time central heating, solar panels, air source heat pumps, EV chargers and ventilation improvements.
Why it stands out
- Strong fit for grant-supported upgrade routes
- Covers multiple home improvement measures
- Useful for households needing survey-led recommendations
- Good option for insulation, heating and renewable upgrades together
4. E.ON Next / E.ON Energy
Best for: Government-backed energy-efficiency upgrades.
E.ON’s energy-efficiency funding pages cover solar panels, air source heat pumps and insulation, with support through funding schemes and home efficiency grants.
E.ON Next also lists home insulation, solar panels, Warm Homes Local Grant and Boiler Upgrade Scheme support as part of its home efficiency offering.
Why it stands out
- Strong scheme-led route
- Solar, insulation and heating support
- Useful for households checking grant eligibility
- Backed by a major energy supplier
5. Aira
Best for: Heat pump-led home energy systems.
Aira is a strong choice for homeowners who want a heat pump-first upgrade. The company installs heat pumps across the UK and says its installers are trained through the Aira Academy.
Aira also offers solar panels and home battery installation alongside heat pumps, with system design, installation and setup included. Its installation page says Aira is MCS-accredited and a Which? Trusted Trader.
Why it stands out
- Heat pump specialist
- Solar and battery add-ons
- Trained installer network
- Good for households replacing fossil-fuel heating
6. EDF Heat Pumps / CB Heating
Best for: Specialist air source heat pump installation.
CB Heating, now operating as EDF Heat Pumps, has installed thousands of heat pumps across the UK and is part of the EDF group. Its about page says the business has been active in heat pump installation since the early 2000s.
EDF announced the acquisition of CB Heating as part of its move to support customers with zero-carbon heating solutions.
Why it stands out
- Specialist heat pump background
- EDF backing
- Strong fit for air source heat pump projects
- Good for homeowners prioritising heating over wider upgrades
7. Glow Green
Best for: Homeowners comparing several upgrades under one roof.
Glow Green offers PV solar, battery storage, EV charging, boilers, air conditioning and heat pumps under one brand.
This makes it a useful option for households that want to compare heating, solar, battery and electrical upgrades without speaking to several separate companies.
Why it stands out
- Wide product range
- Solar, batteries, boilers, EV charging and heat pumps
- Good for staged upgrades
- Useful for homeowners comparing finance and product options
8. Heatable
Best for: Online quotes and a simple buying journey.
Heatable is a UK-wide installer offering boilers, solar and battery storage, and it also provides heat pump installations. Its website highlights all-inclusive installations and Which? Trusted Installer positioning.
Its heat pump page focuses on fast estimates, savings guidance and installation within a few weeks, depending on the project.
Why it stands out
- Strong digital quote experience
- Boilers, solar, batteries and heat pumps
- Easy for homeowners who want quick comparisons
- Good for straightforward projects
9. Evergreen Renewable Energy
Best for: Renewable energy upgrades in the South West and surrounding areas.
Evergreen Renewable Energy installs air source and ground source heat pumps, solar PV, battery storage, EV charging and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery.
It is a strong fit for homeowners who prefer a renewable specialist rather than a large national energy supplier.
Why it stands out
- Heat pumps, solar, batteries and EV charging
- Renewable-focused installer
- Good for homeowners wanting specialist design
- Useful for regional projects
10. UK Alternative Energy
Best for: Midlands-based solar, battery and heat pump installations.
UK Alternative Energy is a Lincolnshire-based renewable energy specialist covering solar PV, battery storage and air and ground source heat pumps. Its LinkedIn profile states the company is MCS accredited and Green Deal approved.
The company says it has worked on more than 2,600 installations across the region since 2009.
Why it stands out
- Strong Midlands presence
- Solar, battery and heat pump expertise
- Long-running renewable energy background
- Good for homeowners wanting regional experience
How we chose these home upgrade installers
We looked at:
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Service range | The best installers can advise across heating, insulation, solar, batteries and ventilation |
| Accreditation signals | MCS, TrustMark, RECC, HIES and similar schemes help protect customers |
| Coverage | National and strong regional providers were prioritised |
| Upgrade journey | Clear survey, design, quote and aftercare processes matter |
| Public trust signals | Reviews, brand visibility, official information and customer support were considered |
| Grant knowledge | ECO4, Boiler Upgrade Scheme and Warm Homes routes require accurate eligibility advice |
MCS describes itself as the UK’s quality mark for small-scale renewable technologies such as solar panels, heat pumps and battery storage.
TrustMark is the Government Endorsed Quality Scheme for work carried out in and around the home.
Citizens Advice recommends choosing installers registered with recognised quality schemes such as MCS or TrustMark.
How to choose the right home upgrade installer
The best installer is not always the biggest company or the cheapest quote. Choose the one that can prove the right experience for your home, your budget and the upgrades you actually need.
1. Check accreditations first
For solar panels, heat pumps and batteries, look for MCS certification. For retrofit and energy-efficiency work, check TrustMark registration where relevant. GOV.UK says MCS-certified heat pump installers must also be registered with a consumer protection scheme such as RECC or HIES.
2. Ask for a full home assessment
A good installer should look at the property before recommending a system. For heat pumps, that means heat-loss calculations, radiator checks, pipework checks and hot water requirements. For solar, that means roof space, shading, usage patterns and battery suitability.
3. Get more than one quote
GOV.UK recommends getting quotes from more than one installer when looking for a heat pump installer.
Compare the full package, not just the headline price. The cheapest quote may not include the same products, warranties, scaffolding, electrical work, controls, aftercare or paperwork.
4. Check what is included
Before signing, confirm:
| Check | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Survey | Is it remote, in-home or both? |
| Design | Will I receive a proper system design? |
| Products | Which brands and models are included? |
| Warranties | What covers the product and workmanship? |
| Aftercare | Who handles faults after installation? |
| Paperwork | Will I receive MCS, building control and warranty documents where relevant? |
| Grants | Who applies, and what happens if funding is not approved? |
5. Avoid pressure tactics
Do not rush into a contract because of a “today only” offer. A good installer should give you time to review the quote, compare options and ask questions.
6. Match the installer to the job
If you want a heat pump, choose a company with strong heating design experience. If you want solar and battery storage, choose a solar specialist with electrical expertise. If your home needs insulation first, choose a retrofit-led installer that understands ventilation, damp risk and fabric-first upgrades.
Best installer by upgrade type
| Upgrade type | Best-fit installers from this list |
|---|---|
| Heat pumps | Octopus Energy, Aira, EDF Heat Pumps, British Gas, UK Alternative Energy |
| Solar panels | Octopus Energy, British Gas / Hive, Glow Green, Heatable, Evergreen Renewable Energy |
| Batteries | Octopus Energy, Aira, Glow Green, Heatable, Evergreen Renewable Energy |
| Insulation | Simple Green Energy, E.ON Next, grant-led retrofit providers |
| Grant-supported upgrades | Simple Green Energy, E.ON Next, Warmer Homes and ECO-focused providers |
| Full home energy upgrade | Octopus Energy, Simple Green Energy, Aira, Glow Green |
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Simple answers to common questions about choosing home upgrade installers in the UK, including insulation, heat pumps, solar panels, batteries, EV chargers, accreditations, quotes and aftercare. Speak to Simple Green Energy.
Need help choosing a home upgrade installer?
Speak with Simple Green Energy about insulation, heating improvements, energy-efficiency support, grant-led upgrades and available home energy measures.
Get home upgrade adviceFinal takeaway
The UK has more home upgrade installers than ever, but the right choice depends on your property.
For national smart energy upgrades, Octopus Energy is a strong first choice. For brand recognition, British Gas / Hive is a practical option. For heating, insulation, solar and grant-led upgrades, Simple Green Energy deserves its place at number three.
Before choosing anyone, check accreditations, compare quotes, read the paperwork and make sure the installer understands your home, not just the product they want to sell.
