Renewable Energy Installer December/January 2017 | Page 26

Installer Spotlight : GoEcoRenewables

A growing company with a focus on excellent service and happy customers

GoEcoRenewables is a young business built on impressive credentials in the sustainable heating industry . Co-owners John Gilham and Chris Delaney may be celebrating their company ’ s first Christmas but between them they have 16 years ’ experience in the renewable energy market , and York-based GoEcoRenewables has already established a reputation for delivering challenging installations and happy customers .
Company background Chris Delaney started out in 2008 working for City of York Council , looking after the energy efficiency of eight local authorities across North Yorkshire , before moving on to Vaillant as Renewables Development Manager in the North of England . With three young children , he made the decision to base himself closer to home and took on a development role with a York-based installer , tasked with expanding its renewables business . After a period on the front line with GoGeothermal , he found his ideal business partner in John Gilham and the pair entered into a 50 / 50 partnership to create GoEcoRenewables . While Chris manages the commercial aspects of the company , including sales , purchasing and compliance , John looks after the operations side . Also a family man , and a keen sports fan , he has been involved in energy efficiency his entire working life , first in the insulation market and then , for the past eight years , in renewables . After making that move , he initially specialised in solar PV , then made what he describes as the natural progression into heat pump installations . “ This is where my real passion is ,” John says , “ I ’ ve been installing and commissioning systems for six years and there is no better feeling than seeing your service customers every year and being told their savings and comfort with renewable products .”
The first year Chris and John made the brave decision to ‘ go it alone ’ during uncertain times for the industry that have seen many companies close their doors or move away from renewables . However , they strongly believed – and continue to believe – that there is a market for renewables and ,
14 | www . renewableenergyinstaller . co . uk in particular , growth for heat pumps as people look to take control of their energy bills and move away from fossil fuels . That faith looks as though it has paid off with GoEcoRenewables on target to install 30 heat pumps in the first year of trading . With a further five people who work with them when needed , Chris and John have created a company based on in-depth knowledge and a genuine passion for the products , and a determination to offer honest , practical solutions . GoEcoRenewables ’ primary areas of focus are air and ground source heat pumps in domestic new-build and retrofit markets . The business offers additional technologies to complement this core service , such as solar PV , solar thermal , heat recovery and underfloor heating , and does also operate in the commercial arena , having recently installed a heat pump for Whitby Marina . The company is currently working with or has recently carried out renewables work for East Riding Council , Scarborough Borough Council and City of York Council . Chris and John typically work within a two-hour radius of York , but will travel further if required . Looking ahead , Chris explains : “ I have extensive background working with and for Local Authorities so I would want to build on that knowledge and experience and forge links with social housing providers across Yorkshire and the North East . That is in addition to targeting specifiers and a range of small and medium-sized developers .”
The products Currently , the company mainly installs Vaillant heat pumps , crediting the brand for fantastic back-up and support from its onsite group service engineers to the sales team out on the road . “ It also helps that having worked for Vaillant I know the product inside out ,” Chris points out . “ And I ’ ve seen the quality and attention to detail that goes into the design and manufacture first hand , having visited the factories in Germany several times .” Materials are purchased from GoGeotherm , with whom Chris has again enjoyed a long working relationship . “ They provide excellent service and knowledge when it comes to heat pumps and their range of ground source collector kits held in stock allow us to work very effectively on site if the situation changes ,” he explains .
Finding solutions GoEcoRenewables ’ stated aim is to deliver projects that save customers money and reduce their carbon footprint , in whatever way this is best achieved in each situation . “ It depends on the customer and there isn ’ t a one-size-fits-all solution ,” Chris says . “ We offer a bespoke , tailored approach and