Heat & Energy Efficiency jobs in the UK

Cutting the energy used to heat buildings

Heating homes and workplaces uses a large share of the UK's energy, so this sector covers a wide range of work: heat pump installation, heat networks, retrofitting homes, insulation and the building services that keep larger buildings efficient. Most of the jobs are close to where people live, because every town has buildings that need work.

Some cities have a head start on heat networks. In Leeds, the council's Leeds PIPES network, delivered with Vital Energi, supplies heat to homes and public buildings. Gateshead, across the river from Newcastle upon Tyne, uses heat from flooded mine workings in its district energy scheme. London has many heat networks and a large concentration of building services consultancies and contractors.

Rules and schemes that shape the work

Government schemes and regulation drive a lot of hiring. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme in England and Wales only pays grants for heat pumps installed and commissioned by an MCS-certified installer, so certified firms need qualified engineers. Funded home retrofit generally follows PAS 2035, which sets out roles such as retrofit assessor and retrofit coordinator, and installers often need TrustMark registration. Scotland runs its own support for homeowners through Home Energy Scotland, so rules and paperwork vary by nation.

Heat networks became regulated by Ofgem, the energy regulator, in January 2026, and a Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme is being phased in. That is increasing demand for people who can design, commission and run networks to a recognised standard.

Roles you'll see advertised

Installation and servicing

Heat pump engineers, plumbing and heating engineers, electricians, insulation installers working on lofts, cavities and solid walls, ventilation installers and service engineers make up the largest group. Many work for installers serving homeowners, housing associations or councils.

Assessment, design and coordination

Retrofit assessors survey homes, retrofit coordinators manage projects and risk, and retrofit designers specify measures. Heat pump system designers, domestic energy assessors, energy managers and mechanical and electrical building services engineers also work in this area.

Heat networks

Heat network developers and operators hire design engineers, commissioning engineers, operations and maintenance technicians, metering and billing specialists, and customer service teams. Construction contractors need pipework supervisors, site managers and project managers.

Project and commercial roles

Large retrofit and heat programmes rely on contracts managers, quantity surveyors, site managers, bid writers and resident liaison officers who keep tenants informed while work is carried out in occupied homes.

Qualifications employers ask for

Common requirements by role include:

• Heat pump engineers: a heat pump installation qualification, unvented hot water and water regulations certificates, and F-gas certification if you work on refrigerant circuits
• Gas engineers moving into hybrid systems: Gas Safe registration plus heat pump training
• Retrofit coordinators: the Level 5 Diploma in Retrofit Coordination and Risk Management
• Retrofit assessors: a recognised retrofit assessment qualification, often alongside domestic energy assessor experience
• Building services engineers: a relevant degree or HNC, and CIBSE membership or chartered status for senior roles
• Site staff: a CSCS card, and SMSTS or SSSTS for supervisors and managers

Firms also look for experience working under MCS and TrustMark quality systems, because the business's certification depends on staff following them.

Moving into heat and efficiency work

In England, the Level 3 low carbon heating technician apprenticeship trains new entrants to install heat pumps and other low carbon systems. Plumbing, electrical and building services apprenticeships are also common starting points.

Experienced gas engineers and plumbers are a natural fit for heat pump roles after additional training. Surveyors, housing officers and construction managers often move into retrofit coordination. Graduates in building services or mechanical engineering join consultancies and contractors, and service leavers with trade or project management backgrounds are welcomed by many installers.

If you are switching trades, look for an employer that will let you shadow experienced engineers on commissioning and servicing visits. Practical experience of setting up systems and explaining controls to customers counts for a lot when firms hire.

Finding heat and energy efficiency jobs here

Use the search to find heat pump and retrofit roles near you, filtering by salary, employment type and on-site or hybrid working. Many installer jobs include a van and regional patch.

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Installers, contractors and consultancies can post heat and efficiency vacancies, and new employers can ask about our founding employer offer.