TRAINING
Air-to-air boost creates new heat pump opportunity for heating installers
Hamid Salimi, residential product manager at Daikin takes a closer look at the business growth opportunities offered by upskilling into heat pump installation
T
he growing heat pump market has been given a further boost by the Government’s recent extension of the Boiler Upgrade
Scheme, which will cover air-to-air heat pumps for the first time. This changes things considerably for heating installers. Homeowners can now claim grants on air-to-air heat pump systems that are capable of both heating and cooling, making them more affordable – and that creates fresh work for engineers willing to learn the technology. The timing is notable. Government targets call
for 600,000 heat pump installations annually by 2028, a sharp rise from the 30,000 or so installed before 2020 The problem is that there aren’t enough qualified installers to meet that demand. But Gas Safe registered heating engineers
are well positioned to fill this gap. The technical foundation is already there; it’s the specific training in low-carbon heating technology that’s needed to complete the picture.
Building on existing expertise
Moving from gas boilers to heat pumps isn’t the leap it might seem. Heating engineers already have most of the technical knowledge the work requires including system design principles, and the ability to manage customer expectations. These capabilities are essential to heat pump installation. What matters is finding training that builds
on existing knowledge rather than treating an experienced installer as a complete beginner.
Courses combining theory with hands-on work using actual systems let engineers grasp the practical differences while making use of what they already understand about heating.
Training support and certification pathways
The good news is government funding has made heat pump training more accessible. Schemes offering free courses remove the financial barrier that might otherwise prevent installers from upskilling. These typically cover the essential qualifications needed for MCS certification – the industry standard that allows installers to handle BUS scheme applications. Look for training that covers Water Regulations assessment, the LCL Award in the Installation and Maintenance of Air Source Heat Pump Systems, plus hands-on installation practice. Some intensive courses pack all of this into five days, which keeps time away from your regular work to a minimum. Daikin’s Heat Pump Bootcamp, for example,
offers exactly this format – and thanks to government funding, it’s completely free to attend. Day one covers Water Regulations, days two to four deliver the RQF Level 3 award, and day five provides practical installation experience with Daikin Altherma systems. A sales expert joins during the week to walk through the BUS application process and discuss business growth opportunities.
www.heatingandventilating.net
Training facilities are equally important, and the best ones will replicate real installation scenarios. Daikin’s new Manchester centre features three dedicated training rooms, a house frontage with a working heating and cooling system, interactive control displays and virtual reality training zones. This kind of setup lets installers practice in realistic conditions before tackling customer properties, building both confidence and competence. Beyond the initial training, ongoing support also
makes a big difference. One-to-one onboarding, help with funding applications, system design guidance and technical backup during first installations can determine whether the transition succeeds or frustrates.
The business case for diversification
The skills shortage has created a favourable market for qualified installers. Demand continues to outstrip supply, allowing those with the right certifications to command competitive pricing while building customer relationships in a growth sector. What’s more, the inclusion of air-to-air systems in the BUS scheme broadens the addressable market further, particularly for properties where traditional air-to-water heat pumps may be less suitable. For heating engineers considering the move, the
approach doesn’t require a fundamental change to their business model. Training programmes designed to work around existing operations allow installers to add heat pump capabilities while maintaining established revenue streams. Complete your training, tackle your first few installations with manufacturer support behind you, then take on more heat pump work as your experience grows. It really is as straightforward as that. Regulations on fossil fuel heating are tightening
year on year, while homeowner interest in low- carbon alternatives continues to grow. Both trends look set to continue – this will fuel demand for heat pump skills and only strengthens the case to invest time in training.
22 February 2026
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