Meet The Member - Mark of JMR Heating & Energy
We caught up with the team at JMR to discover the story behind this family-inspired local business. With a passion for renewable technology, they provide innovative heating, cooling and energy solutions, combining expert engineering and design with a forward-thinking approach.
Could you tell us a little about the journey behind the business: how did JMR begin, and what inspired the move from traditional heating and plumbing into the broader heating, cooling and energy business it is today?
JMR really began in lockdown. My wife had always told me I should be working for myself, and that I was wasting my knowledge and skills working for large corporations. I was managing teams of engineers and subcontractors on large projects and just wasn’t enjoying it any more, so - like a lot of people did in lockdown — I decided it was time to set up on my own. We named the business JMR after our family: my children Jenson, Matilda and Roman, along with Jessica and me. Everyone is in JMR. We specifically targeted renewables, since I was already working in that sector and it was what I enjoyed most - it brought back the engineering and design side, and working with clients to deliver an exciting project or a new way of doing something. It was a break from the norm, something you could really get stuck into and keep pushing the boundaries on. With it still being fairly new to most people, it makes it exciting and enjoyable to work in.
JMR works across heating, plumbing, air conditioning, renewable energy, ventilation and more. What do you find most rewarding about helping homeowners and businesses create comfortable, efficient and reliable spaces?
The most rewarding part is when a client really understands what you’re delivering for them — it’s technology you’ve designed and implemented around their home, lifestyle or business, so it becomes something that genuinely benefits them and actually works. Working closely with clients and educating them on the technology builds a genuine connection and a really good relationship, and that rapport means you can explain what you’re doing and why, so they properly understand what they’re installing and how it will run and operate. The by-product of that is the renewable side of it — actually doing something that benefits them and their world.
Working across Harpenden, St Albans and the wider Hertfordshire area, what do you enjoy most about being part of the local community, and how important is that local reputation to the business?
What I’ve found working in this area is that the clients I’ve been privileged to work with all want to be involved, and to get to know me as a person as well as the business. I always feel the relationship is just as important as the end result, and that’s what’s helped build the reputation even further. Trust is the biggest element of any relationship, and I’ve found that clients I’ve worked with have really placed that trust in me — which is a big part of why I love working here, along with some fantastic local cafes.
Heating and energy systems are something most people don’t think about until something goes wrong. What values and principles are most important to JMR when it comes to reliability, workmanship and customer service?
We’re a family business, which is a big part of why we set up the way we did. For me, our number one priority and value is relationships and trust. I want clients who come back to use our services for years to come, and whose children go on to use us too. Being known for our skill and expertise is fantastic, but we also want to be known for our customer care and for looking after our clients properly. The real value comes after we’ve finished a project — we want to keep looking after that technology, and our clients, for years to come.
The move towards renewable energy and more energy-efficient homes is changing the heating industry rapidly. How much interest are you seeing in technologies such as air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps and solar PV, and what do customers most often want to know before making the switch?
It’s becoming hugely popular now, and that will only continue. People want to be more sustainable and have more control over their world and what they’re paying for. They also want to be comfortable — the weather we’re seeing more of has made that uncomfortable for some. The biggest questions we always get asked are: are they noisy? Will my house be warm? I’ve heard they’re very expensive? All of these come from poor installations and horror stories, which is the main problem in the industry. I always say the same thing: unless the system is correctly designed for the home or business and installed properly, you’ll always run into issues. You need to invest in proper design with someone you can trust, who has the experience to back it up and evidence from previous clients.
JMR also specialises in MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery), which can improve air quality while recovering heat that would otherwise be lost. Why is ventilation becoming increasingly important as homes become more energy efficient?
As homes become more efficient, they naturally become more airtight, so less ventilation happens naturally. Driving down heat loss in a building means sealing it up more, and ventilation is key for both the building and our health. Recovering heat from areas like bathrooms and kitchens can make a home very efficient — MVHR not only recovers that heat to warm the incoming cold air, which then circulates round the house and forces stale air out, but it also filters it. Dust and particles are filtered out, so the air is cleaner and fresher inside the home, which can improve health and respiratory conditions. For people building new homes, this is fast becoming top of the priority list, and for very good reason.
With so many different heating and cooling technologies now available, choosing the right system can feel complicated. How do you assess a property and help customers decide what solution will work best for their home, lifestyle and budget?
This is where design and understanding the client really come together. Every home or business is different — it’s not one size fits all. Understanding what the client wants, and how they see things from an aesthetic point of view, is a key part of the design process. That process can take time, and it needs to be done properly to make sure the right equipment is used. Once you understand the client’s end goal and priorities, it’s much easier to find the right brands and manufacturers to work with. The worst thing that can happen is installing something overly complicated or difficult to use, which leaves the client without trust or understanding. My ethos has always been the same for any project: the simpler I can make it, the more effective it will be.
You’ve been working in the heating industry for many years. What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen in the industry, and what developments do you think will have the biggest impact on how we heat and cool our homes in the future?
Technology is by far the biggest improvement. It’s incredible how advanced this kit has become in just a few years, and how much easier it is to use. When I started 24 years ago, you practically needed a degree to understand a unit’s controller — now you can operate it all from your iPhone. That’s only going to get better; with AI now learning and understanding how we operate, I think the technology will just keep improving. The other big change is the clients themselves — the research many of them do in advance is mind-blowing. I can have really in-depth discussions with clients about what we’re installing, and they genuinely understand what we’re trying to achieve, what’s possible, and what the limitations might be. It makes the whole process so much smoother.
Looking ahead, are there any exciting projects, technologies or developments within JMR that you’re particularly looking forward to?
As we continue to grow, what I’m most excited about is being able to take on more apprentices and trainees and watch them grow with us. Someone once took a chance on me, and I can’t wait to be able to do the same for someone else. Projects are always exciting, since we get to work with some amazing clients, but what I’m most looking forward to is training people and bringing them into the business as we grow.
When you’re not busy keeping homes and businesses warm, cool and comfortable, what are some of your favourite places in Harpenden or St Albans to grab a coffee, enjoy a meal, or simply unwind?
My favourite spot is Craft and Cleaver in St Albans — I love BBQ food and anything cooked over fire, and the food there is amazing. Harpenden is a fantastic place to catch up with friends too; the high street is great for a beer and a chance to unwind, especially in summer.
Finally, please tell us a fun fact about yourself.
My favourite hobby is Brazilian jiu-jitsu, which I’ve been doing for a little while now. I have the privilege of assisting the coaches in the kids’ classes my children attend, so I get to help out — and get beaten up by all the kids!