01.
Interview with Ben Price from Heatable
Heatable started with a simple idea: make heating solutions simpler and more accessible. Founded in 2017, the company set out to change how people buy boilers by creating an easy-to-use online platform where homeowners could get instant prices and book installations hassle free. Instead of long wait times and confusing quotes, Heatable streamlined the process, making it quicker and more transparent.
As interest in renewable energy grew, Heatable saw an opportunity to expand. In 2023, they introduced battery storage solutions, helping customers maximise their solar energy use and reduce reliance on the grid. This move aligned with their core mission—making energy solutions simple and affordable for homeowners. Today, they continue to evolve, using technology and digital content to educate and engage customers on the advantages of energy efficiency.
AlphaESS UK had the chance to speak with Ben Price, Heatable’s Co-Director and face of their ever-growing social media channels.
Thanks for joining us, Ben. We know our audiences will be keen to learn more about Heatable, so to start with, can you tell us when Heatable formed and what you set out to do?
Hi, and thanks for the opportunity to explain more about Heatable and our journey. We started in 2017 with a simple goal: make buying a boiler easier. Traditionally, getting a new boiler installed was a long-winded, stressful process. You’d have to call around, get multiple quotes, and wait weeks for an installation. We wanted to change that by offering an online platform where customers could get information, a price instantly, and book an installation in just a few clicks.
Our initial focus was entirely on boilers, but as technology evolved and people became more aware and interested in renewable energy, we saw an opportunity to expand. In 2023, we started providing Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), to empower homeowners to take further advantage from their solar energy. It’s been a natural progression for us—making home energy solutions more accessible, exactly as we previously did with boilers. Creating a customer-centric environment for researching and purchasing boilers and BESS is at the heart of what we do.
Once you decided to enter the energy storage marketplace Ben, what attracted you to AlphaESS products over other battery energy storage brands?
Like our approach to all products, one again, our customer-centric attitude, along with considerations toward BESS Installers, ruled our thoughts, research and final decision-making. We bought about ten different battery storage brands and tested them in-house. We wanted to assess price points, see which ones were easiest to install and which offered the best reliability and return-on-investment. AlphaESS was about the sixth or seventh battery we tried, and at that time, it wasn’t widely available in the UK, something I’m glad to report is very different today. We immediately knew it was a great product when we installed it and ticked many boxes for us, customers and installers.
Was there anything specific that stood out about AlphaESS products and working with the AlphaESS UK team?
Yeah, firstly, the design of the products—Smile-G3 and Storion-G2-H50 in particular looked great and it was really easy to install compared to some of the others. We could also immediately see how powerful the systems were, and when we started looking into it further, we got in touch with the AlphaESS team, who it was very evident to see, were incredibly knowledgeable and supportive. That made a big difference. Having a strong technical, commissioning and customer support team, based in the UK behind a product is crucial, and with AlphaESS, we knew we were working with a company that genuinely cared about its customers.
Thanks Ben. It’s great to hear the positive experience you’ve had with AlphaESS UK. We’re interested to hear, based on the previous answer, did you approach manufacturers first, or was it more of an independent process?
That’s an excellent and very relevant question in our BESS product and partner selection process when looking at renewable energy solutions. We didn’t go to any manufacturers asking for deals because we wanted to make an unbiased decision. Otherwise, there’s a risk of being swayed by whoever gives you the best commercial offer. Instead, we started installing various BESS brands and seeing how they worked. AlphaESS stood out, for numerous reasons, and that’s why we continue to include them in our BESS product suite. We wanted to offer our customers a battery system that we genuinely believed in, and after many system sales and installations, if anything, we believe in the products and relationship even more, today.
What advice would you give to people considering a battery system like AlphaESS?
What do you think holds people back from taking that step?
How does Heatable make it easier for people to get started with solar and battery storage?
One of the biggest challenges for homeowners is knowing where to start. There’s so much information; and the last thing people want is a pushy salesperson in their home making it even more overwhelming. That’s why we built our online quote tool, an accessible way for people to research, compare and make choices based on what works best for them. Our approach and online portal removes the pressure for people, but I would add, they also have the advantage of us behind the portal, a knowledgeable team to speak to when they’re ready.
How does the online quote tool work?
Our first objective was to make It a free tool, ensure it was accessible to everyone, from homeowners, businesses and installers, allowing them to draw their roof, get an accurate system size, and receive a fixed system and installation price where required . It takes the guesswork out of the process and gives people confidence in their decision-making before they even speak to us. We designed it to make things as simple as possible—no pressure, no hidden costs, just clear and accurate information. It creates trusted transparency, and guidance, for anyone considering solar and battery storage.
We regularly see some great content from Heatable across social media, especially YouTube. How have you found engagement with your content, Ben?
To be honest, when we started doing video content, we weren’t sure how much interest it would get—energy isn’t always the most exciting topic. However, we quickly realised people were interested and would watch if we made it engaging. Our desire and approach was to break things down into simple, fun, and informative videos, and that really got traction. Over time, we’ve realised that people want to learn, and be entertained at the same time, so we focus on making useful, shared knowledge and enjoyable content. The response has been fantastic, whether it’s showing behind-the-scenes footage of an extensive installation, explaining how our systems and processes work, or simply sharing real customer stories.
It’s certainly made a significant difference in awareness of us, products and enhanced how we connect with customers.
We love your social content output, but have you seen content from others that has helped you learn or engage?
Of course, without doubt, as we’re avid followers of energy content, we keep up-to-date with energy news, from The Government, associations, other businesses and of course the BESS Installer community. Installers are the backbone of the industry, often customer-facing, so their experiences are exceptionally valuable. It helps us understand customers’ concerns and how they think about energy solutions. It also gives us insight into UK home battery storage and industry trends. Learning from what others are doing—whether it’s best practices, common mistakes, or innovative approaches—helps us constantly improve our own content and services.
As Heatable continues to grow, Ben and his team remain committed to making home energy solutions simpler and more accessible.
Their journey from boiler installations to renewable energy and battery energy storage systems reflects a greater shift in how people approach home energy. With the rise of battery storage and more intelligent home energy management, Heatable is focused on ensuring they support the UK’s homeowners and businesses to stay ahead of the curve, providing the tools and information they need to become energy independent.
For those considering a battery energy storage system like AlphaESS UK, Ben’s message is clear—start the process, do the research, and don’t be afraid to take the leap. With the right support and products, switching to renewable energy and battery storage is easier than ever.
If you’re interested in working with Heatable please visit their website at www.heatable.co.uk.
You can also connect with Heatable on their social platforms below.
