One Team, One Dream: A Heat Pump Engineer’s Journey with Plug Me In, Introducing Aidan Salisbury

One of Plug Me In’s core values is “we are one team”. We recognise that when we all work together, amazing things can happen. And that’s just what Aidan Salisbury discovered when he joined Plug Me In as a heat pump engineer in September 2023. We caught up with Aidan to learn more about his role and what he enjoys most about being part of the Plug Me In team.  

 

Tell us about your decision to join Plug Me In?

 

Joining Plug Me In felt like a bit of a leap of faith as I‘d been working for a small family plumbing business for seven years. I was looking for new challenges and opportunities and saw a position for heat pump engineer role advertised online. The recruitment team were really proactive and having attended an interview in Wigan, I was completely sold. I knew it was the right company and the right fit for me.

 

What drew you to Plug Me In?

 

The company’s values really align with mine. Plug Me In strives for top-notch professionalism, ensuring high-quality job completion and excellent customer care. As heat pump installers entering people’s homes, it's crucial to be personable and respectful, which really resonates with me.

 

What do you enjoy most about working for Plug Me In?

 

The team I work with and the support we receive are fantastic. I’m working with some really experienced engineers who are at the top of their game. We also work in teams and that removes some burden of responsibility as there’s always people around to support you and to learn from. The lads I work with are all really nice, and we have a laugh and get the job done well. You can always also pick up the phone and speak to Nathan and Steve, our managers, and technical support, and they’re always more than happy to give you their time.

 

Where are you based and where do you work?

 

I live in Bury St Edmonds, Cambridgeshire.  While I handle some local installations, I also travel for work. Plug Me In’s contract with Scottish Power has meant I’ve had an opportunity to work and stay in placed I haven’t visited before like Bournemouth, Dartmouth, and Cardiff.

 

Can you describe your daily routine?

 

We typically turn up at the customer’s property around 8am armed with the survey notes detailing the job. We’ll talk it through with the customer and come up with a plan of action – for example, when it’s going to be convenient for us to turn the hot water off. A typical install might take three days if it’s just back-to-back, but could take up to five days if it’s a whole refurb with pipework and radiators.

 

I’ve also been trained to complete the heat pump installation surveys, which is where we attend the property, measure the rooms to analyse the heat loss, complete a building fabric assessment and look at how the job should be completed – for example, where the heat pump and cylinder will be installed. This information is then provided to our technical designer and forms the survey notes that the installer has when he attends site. It’s given me another string to my bow and gives my role a bit of variety.

 

Are there opportunities for career progression?

 

Definitely. I’ve never worked for a company with such ambitious growth plans. So many engineers have joined since I did that I already feel like part of the furniture. Although the heat pump side of Plug Me In is relatively new they’ve won some big contacts with British Gas and Scottish Power and are a Which? Trusted Trader which is an incredible achievement. The company is also very good at sharing its plans. We had a team day and social event last year where we all got together with the backroom staff, managers and directors, who shared what the company is doing and planning. I’m looking forward to growing with the company and potentially managing a team or region in the future.

 

What qualities do you think you need to be a Plug Me In heat pump engineer?

 

You need to be switched on, have a strong work ethic, and be a team player. Aligning with PMI’s high standards of work and customer care is crucial. Plug Me In aims to be the best, and we bring our best to every job. Joining was definitely the best decision I made.