Training
59% of UK installers warming to heat pumps
More than half (59%) of UK heating engineers are either already or likely to work with other companies to develop heat pump competencies, according to heating and hot water solutions provider Baxi’s fourth annual Installer Skills Survey.
D
espite this interest in being prepared, a lack of consumer demand remains the number one barrier to heat pump uptake – with 60% of installers citing this as the main barrier, highlighting the challenge of converting installer interest into real-world installations. The 2025 Survey showed that attitudes of some segments of the heating engineer population are becoming more sceptical of heat pumps and towards net zero more broadly, refl ecting the increasingly divisive narratives on the topic from across the political spectrum. The survey – conducted with green supply chain consultancy Talan (formerly Gemserv) – gathered responses from almost 400 installers, making it the most comprehensive snapshot of UK installer attitudes to heat pumps to date.
Confi dence growing as training makes its mark
The study found that 59% of installers are either already developing the skills to fi t heat pumps or intending to do so within the next few years. As the majority of installer operators are either sole traders or very small businesses with just two or three employees, the trend is to partner with other companies that can provide complimentary services, such as system design, installation support or fi nancing.
The number of installers citing a lack of training as a barrier has fallen by 18 percentage points compared with 2024, suggesting that industry investment in training is beginning to pay off . Baxi alone has seen over 1,000 installers attend its own heat pump training courses over the last 12 months.
When asked what drives them in their work, heating engineers most frequently cited providing a good service to customers (85%), solving technical problems (62%) and getting things right from a technical perspective (50%). According to Baxi, this sense of professionalism partly explains why some installers hesitate to recommend new technologies until they feel fully competent.
26 | electrical wholesalerNovember 2025
“A lack of consumer demand remains the number one barrier to heat pump uptake, with 60% of installers citing this as the main barrier.”
“Installers clearly want to do the right thing for their customers,” said Ian Trott, head of training at Baxi UK. “Many take pride in their technical ability and won’t compromise on service until they’ve built real hands-on experience with the technology. Training for a qualifi cation is one thing – but training for competence is what’s really needed to move the needle on installer engagement.”
Hybrids seen as a practical bridge The 2025 survey also found that 35% of installers have or would be somewhat or extremely likely to move to fi tting heat pumps as part of a hybrid system, where a heat pump works alongside an existing combi boiler, rather than as a full heat pump only replacement. Unlike a stand-alone heat pump system, hybrids typically do not require a water cylinder making the installation lower cost, quicker, less disruptive and with less
complexity for the installer.
“Hybrids can be a powerful transitional step,” Trott said. “They are often more attractive to installers because they’re easier to fi t, and to customers because they require less cost and disruption. Research shows a well-installed hybrid can cut a home’s heating carbon footprint by around 70% a year or more. Supporting hybrid options would give more installers valuable real- world experience and help homeowners see the benefi ts earlier.”
Paperwork and demand still holding the sector back
While attitudes to heat pumps have shifted positively, consumer demand is developing more slowly. Although many households continue to prefer a straightforward like-for-like boiler replacement, 2024 was still a record year for UK heat pump sales.
Almost half of respondents – 46% – named the paperwork involved in government schemes as a major obstacle to installing heat pumps, saying it slows down projects and can deter customers from making the switch.
To help ease this burden, Baxi will launch its own MCS Umbrella scheme later this year, designed to reduce the administrative workload for smaller businesses and sole traders. The
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