HEAT PUMPS NIBE marks Paul Smith W
hat’s NIBE’s view on the current policy environment and how is that aff ecting product development?
The policy environment is becoming increasingly aligned with the UK’s long-term decarbonisation goals, which is encouraging for both manufacturers and installers. Schemes such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) have helped raise awareness of heat pumps and make low-carbon heating more accessible to homeowners, but continued policy certainty will be critical if the industry is to scale at the pace required.
At NIBE, we have always taken a long-term view of the market. Having operated in the UK for two decades and in mature heat pump markets across Europe for much longer, we know that successful adoption depends on more than product development alone. It requires a combination of supportive policy, skilled installers and consumer confi dence.
The ongoing transition away from higher global warming potential refrigerants, alongside evolving training and competency standards, is also infl uencing product development. Manufacturers must design systems that not only meet future regulatory requirements but are practical to install, commission and maintain. In addition, installers need access to the training and support required to work confi dently with new technologies. Ultimately, we see policy, product development and skills as closely connected. The industry’s success will depend on ensuring all three continue to evolve together.
20 years in the UK
NIBE’s Managing Director Paul Smith says the next phase of UK heat pump growth will hinge on aligned policy, smarter refrigerant transitions and stronger installer skills. As the company prepares to roll out new R290 airsource and groundsource models, it is doubling down on system design, digital diagnostics and longterm installer support to help the sector scale with confi dence.
How is NIBE preparing for the next
refrigerant transition? Refrigerant transition is not a new challenge for our industry. Manufacturers, installers and service engineers have successfully navigated several changes over the years, and we expect this transition to follow a similar path. This includes our ongoing transition towards R290 refrigerant technology across our product portfolio. Our Exhaust Air Heat Pump range has been using R290 for a number of years and, later this year, we will introduce new R290 air source and ground source heat pump models. As this transition continues, the vast majority of our core heat pump range will use R290, supporting lower global warming potential while maintaining the performance standards customers expect. From a product perspective, NIBE continues to invest in technologies that support lower environmental impact while maintaining the high levels of performance, reliability and effi ciency that customers expect. Any refrigerant transition must be approached carefully, ensuring that environmental benefi ts are balanced with safety, serviceability and long-term system performance.
For installers and engineers, education will be just as important as the technology itself. As requirements evolve, we will continue to provide training, technical guidance and practical support to ensure our installer network is fully prepared. That includes understanding installation best practice, servicing requirements, safety considerations and how system design may be aff ected by future refrigerant choices.
28 July 2026 •
www.acr-news.com Our focus is on making these transitions as
straightforward as possible, helping engineers build confi dence while maintaining high installation standards for customers.
Are there particular engineering skills or competencies NIBE believes will become critical over the next fi ve years?
One of the biggest changes we have seen over the past 20 years is the growing importance of whole- system thinking. Heat pumps are highly effi cient technologies but achieving the best outcomes requires engineers to consider the entire heating system rather than simply replacing one heat source with another. System design, heat loss calculations, emitter sizing, hydraulic design, controls optimisation and commissioning will all continue to play an increasingly important role. Digital skills are also becoming more valuable. As connected systems, remote monitoring and intelligent controls become more commonplace, engineers will need to be comfortable using data to optimise performance and diagnose issues more eff ectively.
Alongside technical competence, communication skills will become increasingly important. Installers are often the primary source of advice for homeowners, so being able to explain system operation, expected performance and energy effi ciency benefi ts clearly will help improve customer confi dence and satisfaction. The future engineer will combine strong technical knowledge with system design expertise and the
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