The future of air source heat pump installations
There’s little doubt that the air source heat pump installation market is growing and with it, so do the opportunities for you.
The way heating systems are designed, supplied and installed are changing too. This means new opportunities and expectations around skills, standards, efficiency and customer experience.
As the market continues to evolve, it is worth considering how you can build your skills and expertise whilst implementing the right processes to make the heat pump journey more efficient, from survey and design through to installation, commissioning and handover. Taking these steps can help you stay ahead of the changing market and create new opportunities for your business.
In this article, we’ll look at:
Why are more homeowners considering heat pumps?
The opportunity to build your skills and expertise
Standardisation trends and tools
New systems and technologies
How to stay ahead with heat pump installs
Why are more homeowners considering heat pumps?
Increasingly homeowners are considering heat pumps as they look for ways to heat their homes. Greater awareness to changes on heating policy and financial support are helping to increase demand. One of the main drivers of the growing demand for heat pumps is the improved efficiency when compared to traditional boilers. Homeowners are becoming increasingly more conscious of their energy use and looking at ways to make their homes more energy efficient, exploring potential savings over the longer term. A heat pump tackles both issues.
In addition, grants such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme have helped with the initial costs of a heat pump. The addition of a temporary uplift of £1500 for properties heated by oil or LPG brings to potential total available grant to £9000, making heat pumps a viable option for even more homes across the country.
This means more opportunities to start the conversation, understand each homeowners needs and to help them explore whether a heat pump could be right for them.
The opportunity to build your skills and expertise
With the rising demand for heat pumps so does the need for installers with the right expertise. Many of the skills learnt from installing boilers can be transitioned to heat pumps, with training courses like our Baxi Heat Pump Installer course supporting this transition further.
Developing your capabilities can help you take on more heat pump projects with confidence. Keeping your knowledge up to date also means you are better placed to understand changing requirements, answer homeowner questions and make the most out of new opportunities as the market grows.
Whether you’re new to heat pumps or an experienced installer, ongoing training can help you build your knowledge, strengthen your expertise and stay up to date with the latest systems, standards and installation practices. From accredited training and product knowledge to system design, installation and commissioning, an air source heat pump training course can help you stand out from the crowd.
Standardisation trends and tools
With the growing demand comes a need for quality standards and consistency across heat pump installs. The Microgeneration Certification Scheme, or MCS, is a mark of quality assurance that demonstrates to potential customers your commitment to the highest standards while also helping them access grants such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to support with the cost of having their new heat pump.
From heat loss calculations and system sizing through to commissioning and documentation, the right tools can make each stage of the process clearer and more consistent. Staying familiar with developments can help you streamline your approach and deliver a better experience for both you and your customers.
Under an MCS Umbrella Scheme, like the one we have here at Baxi, the complexities of design, compliance, commissioning, and other admin requirements are taken care of for you, allowing you to concentrate on carrying out the installation safe in the knowledge that the work you complete meets the required standards and access eligible grants for your customers.
Standards such as the Future Homes Standard are making low carbon heating methods, predominately air source heat pumps, the standard for new build developments, so ensuring you have these skills already in your arsenal will ensure you’re ready for when these regulations come into force in the coming years.
Products are also being developed to simplify the installation process. Pre-plumbed and pre-wired cylinders for example, like the Baxi ASHP Pre-plumbed Cylinder, bring together key components in a ready to install solution, helping to simplify connections and the installation process.
New systems and technologies
Heat pumps will continue to evolve in the years to come as the need for low carbon heating grows. As an example, our HP60 heat pump uses R290 refrigerant, which is a cleaner, natural refrigerant that has a lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) figure of 3. With new systems, controls and technologies creating more options for installers and homeowners, there are developments to keep pace with. Understanding what’s available and how these technologies work can help build efficiencies and broaden your expertise whilst ensuring you’re ready for the next generation of heat pump installations.
Heat pumps are designed to work in cold temperatures. When correctly designed, installed and commissioned, homeowners can be assured of a comfortable home even in the most unpredictable of British winters.
How to stay ahead with heat pump installs
Staying ahead involves keeping your knowledge current, continuing to develop your skills and being ready to adapt to a changing market. Keeping pace with standards such as MCS, making use of the support available to you and understanding new products, keeps your knowledge at the forefront as the market evolves. By making the most of training by investing in your expertise can help you stay prepared and take advantage of the growing opportunities.
As a Baxi Heat Pump Installer, you can also be sure that our expert team will support you at each stage, whether you’re new to the world of heat pumps or want to progress your skills.
Find out more here and learn about our training courses below.
Baxi Training
Discover our comprehensive range of courses and videos designed to enhance your skills and knowledge.
Become a Baxi Heat Pump Installer
Develop the in-depth skills, knowledge and confidence through our practical hands-on training on our air source heat pump range, earning you points and rewards too.