Exeter Installer shortlisted for major national award

Matthew Bird of Devon Renewables Ltd in Exeter has been shortlisted for Best Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Installer (Best HVAC Installer) at the Heating Installer Awards 2026.

As one of only four HVAC installers to be shortlisted out of thousands across the UK, Matthew now enters the final stages of the competition, where he’s in with the chance of being crowned the overall national winner.

To secure the shortlist, Matthew showcased a project he ran for a family of five, in their five-bedroom detached in the local area. The house had been heated using an old boiler, yet the homeowner’s goal was to move away from fossil fuels and find a low-maintenance, eco-friendly alternative.

Comfort was also a key driver: one occupant tended to feel cold while another preferred cooler conditions, so the family needed a flexible solution that could handle both heating and air conditioning without the need for bulky, intrusive units.

Matthew designed a system that included a heat pump paired with a discreet ducted air distribution system. He was able to show the homeowner how the cooling system worked beforehand in his showroom, which was important with this new technology. The family continued to live in the home while Matthew and the Devon Renewables team worked at the house, and within just one week, the new system had been installed. 

Matthew adds: “Our team completed the full installation, including the heat pump and the Unico small-duct heating and cooling system. The result is a discreet, energy-efficient solution that provides both heating and cooling while remaining low maintenance for the customer. We’re very pleased with the result.”

Established over 11 years ago to raise the credibility and celebrate the achievements of the best installers across the UK, the nationwide awards scheme champions heating installers who deliver exemplary work for homeowners month in, month out.

Representatives from the awards’ partners and sponsors Danfoss, Powered Now, Samsung Climate Solutions, Stelrad, the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering, InstallerSHOW and Refresh, as well as a team of previous winning installers, judged the entries on problem solving, product knowledge and stand out work.

You can help Matthew to be crowned the Best National HVAC Installer by visiting the Heating Installer Awards website and casting your vote.

Voting closes at midnight on 28th May 2026. Public votes will contribute to a fifth of the installer’s overall scores and will be added to scores gained from the judges and from a technical challenge set for all of the regional and highly commended winners.

The winners will be announced on 24th June 2026 at InstallerSHOW, taking place at Birmingham NEC.