Heat Pump Association highlights essential role of the installer on road to net zero
The Heat Pump Association has asserted that if the UK Government is to meet its legally binding net zero emissions target by 2050, installation supply chains for low carbon heating are going to have to be much stronger than they are today.
Max Halliwell, Vice Chair of the Heat Pump Association says that although homes make up around a third of current UK carbon emissions and the Climate Change Committee (CCC) has stressed the importance of decarbonisation policies to change this, “it could represent a huge opportunity if we take a ‘glass half full’ approach.”
Highlighting that the limiting factor now is the current skills gap, Halliwell notes “Installers are at the very heart of the low carbon transition. Even with all the will in the world to reduce carbon emissions from the Government and consumers, good intentions will remain as merely that without a strong installer base to deliver the solutions net zero demands.”
The Heat Pump Association (HPA), which represents 95% of the heat pump manufacturing market share, has been collaborating with key actors across the industry to support installers and simplify the process to becoming a certified and trusted heat pump installer. Their recent report, ‘Building the installer base for net zero heating’ proposes a revised installer route that would be made feasible through a two-day, technology-neutral Low Temperature training course.
The streamlined training program would cover the essential skills needed for energy efficient heating and would make certain that installers are able to install systems to perform efficiently, regardless of the heating technology installed. This has been developed by key industry players, led by CIPHE, and could act as a prerequisite for all heat source technology, including heat pumps.
It is suggested that following on from the initial Low Temperature Course, installers should then be able to take up technology-specific training that leads to accreditation. The route would begin with a two-day Heat Pump Foundation course covering all the basics on heat pump installations before a one-day course focusing on the specific types of heat pumps: ground, air, and water sourced. To motivate installers and instil confidence in consumers, the HPA has proposed the introduction of a ‘Low Carbon Skills’ card.
This could be used to accumulate all of the training installers undertake and demonstrate their capabilities to consumers, providing households with peace of mind that they are trained and accredited to install low carbon heating solutions. Such confidence, alongside expert advice from installers, would also stimulate more demand for heat pumps over time.
