There’s expected to be a scale-up in demand for qualified heat pump installers as the Government eyes sustainable heating options for the future.

The latest figures from the Committee for Climate Change suggest a huge 19 million heat pumps will need to be installed throughout the UK by 2050 in order to reach the Government’s net-zero target. That equates to 600,000 units per year. So what does this mean for you? Well, in order to meet demand, the heat pump industry is in need of more tradespeople across the UK to train up and fill the current skills gap. 

Qualified tradespeople such as plumbers, boiler installers and heating engineers already possess many of the skills and know-how to install heat pumps. Basically, with such growth expected in the sector, some extra training and qualifications could provide you with a lot of work in coming years.

What are heat pumps?

An electric heat pump works by extracting warmth from the air, the ground or nearby water sources before concentrating the heat and transferring it indoors. Their appearance resembles a standard air-conditioning unit. The number of homeowners choosing to replace their boilers with heat pumps is going to rise, and so will the number of newbuild homes with heat pumps installed. 

How do you become an installer?

The good news is that more training centres are opening around the UK as interest in heat pump training courses grows. If you already hold a level 2 or 3 NVQ qualification in plumbing or heating and ventilation, you could then up-skill with a Level 3 Air Source Heat Pump installation course. This course normally takes a few days to complete and costs around £600.00. You will also need to hold WRAS Water Regulations and Energy Efficiency Part L qualifications.

Find out more

There is more information on the Heat Pump Association’s website, including advice on training. Go to heatpumps.org.uk/