TRAINING SUPPLEMENT


Opportunities galore for low carbon installers


It’s been a fantastic year for domestic renewables. Public opinion is fi nally shifting in favour of heat pumps and exciting changes are coming that push energy effi ciency and low carbon training up the agenda for installers. Griff Thomas, managing director of GTEC, outlines the market opportunities and upskilling options


From 2025, homeowners will be able to access funding to install bigger radiators and fabric improvements to support low temperature heating. This year, we will be delivering energy effi ciency training, covering cavity, external, internal and fl oor insulation. Delivered online with the option of practical training at one of our centres, this training is ideal for heating engineers who want to maximise the potential of their low-temperature installations. We are also working with Synergy Training to


off er ABBE approved qualifi cations for Retrofi t Assessors and Co-ordinators, an in-demand market, ideally suited to existing construction professionals. At the time of writing, we can fund up to 100% of


I


n the fi nal months of 2023, lots of things happened to push the low carbon sector forwards and make renewables an undeniable choice


for heating installers. My usual stance on political matters is one of frustration; there never seems to be a joined-up plan. But dare I say it - it seems that government departments may fi nally be talking to each other. We’ve had the zero rate for electrical battery


storage, the Clean Heat Market Mechanism (CHMM), the Future Homes Standard (FHS) consultation and the £6 billion injection of funding to cut fuel costs for consumers, including 200,000 more Boiler Upgrade Scheme grants and a new £400 million energy effi ciency scheme that will fund essential upgrades to support heat pumps, such as radiators and insulation. When it comes to achieving decarbonisation, the whole is better than the sum of its parts. Together, these measures seem to address the big picture at last, encouraging uptake of renewables, removing barriers for consumers and fi nally recognising the need to support heat pump deployment with energy effi ciency improvements, while injecting confi dence into supply chain.


The hydrogen hype is over


Two government backed hydrogen trials have been cancelled, the Competition and Markets Authority is looking into ‘hydrogen-ready’ claims made by some boiler manufacturers, and a major trade body has been called out for mounting a media campaign


against heat pumps. It’s fair to say that the hydrogen hype is over. Following an exhaustive investigation, the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) concluded that “there is no public policy case for hydrogen to be used to heat individual buildings. It should be ruled out as an option to enable an exclusive focus on switching to electrifi ed heat.” Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) are the primary heating technology of the low-carbon future. ASHP training is an easy upskill for existing installers - with such a clear demand, it’s my top training tip for heating engineers.


Energy effi ciency, in all its guises


The market for accompanying energy effi ciency upgrades is only going to grow as more people recognise the impact of low-temperature heating on their energy bills. Insulation is key to the performance of ASHP systems and upgrades are often recommended prior to installation.


Left: Griff Thomas, managing director of GTEC


the cost of these courses, thanks to a government grant. Allocated on a fi rst come, fi rst serve basis, check https://gtec.co.uk/home-energy-effi ciency- upgrade-training to see if there are any places left.


Informed thinking, dynamic approach


Installers are central to the transition to low-carbon building services, we need them to remain dynamic and fl exible in their approach, keeping up to date with the latest in the heating and low carbon sector. For example, battery storage is a great addition to solar PV, but it also works as a standalone installation, allowing consumers to save money by charging off peak and discharging on peak. This approach maximises the potential of heat pumps for harder-to-treat homes where higher fl ow temperatures may be required. Of course, there is still a long way to go on our


journey to Net Zero, this is just the start. But these new policy commitments provide a safety net for much-needed investment in renewables and a clear direction for heating installers who want to deliver energy effi cient heating systems that cost less to run and work better.


Training from GTEC


GTEC is a renewables training provider, with locations throughout the country. Training on off er includes heat pump, solar PV, battery storage and EV charging, plus new for 2024, a range of energy effi ciency courses for installers and Retrofi t Assessors and Co-ordinators.


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