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Remote opportunities: A look at the UK’s heat pump strategy
How do we get homeowners to install heat pumps? It’s a question that the government’s Warm Homes Plan prompts, or more specifi cally, the ambitious target of 450K annual installations by 2030. On paper, this green transition should be straightforward. Heat pump systems are effi cient, sustainable and cost eff ective for many homeowners. However, they are not a one-size fi ts all solution says Steve Richmond, sales & marketing director at Rehau Water Technologies
H
urdles such as aesthetics, particularly in heritage buildings and older housing stock, necessitate a shift in the UK’s installation
approach towards remote positioning. When equipped with the right innovations and knowledge to install these systems eff ectively, installers will be able to confi dently quote for these solutions and keep the UK’s green transition moving.
Achievable ambitions?
Heat pumps are proven as a successful source of low carbon heating and, according to the Heat Pump Association, 125K installations were recorded in 2025, up 27% on 2024. But this is still a far cry from the ambition of 450K by 2030, recently reduced from the previous goal of 600K per year by 2028. So, what are we missing?
Challenges and solutions
Currently, the majority of heat pumps are installed next to the property, ensuring minimal heat loss as energy is transferred from the outside to indoors. But this close proximity brings us to the fi rst issue of aesthetics. Kerb appeal is a signifi cant consideration for most homeowners. And for some people, the sight of a heat pump unit could potentially diminish the attractiveness of a property, despite the advantage of it providing cost-eff ective heating. For other properties, such as those within conservation areas, there may be restrictions and further considerations required for positioning.
Secondly, this standard setup also isn’t universally
applicable as it requires enough
outdoor space next to the property to ensure adequate air fl ow for the system. Noise is another factor that can diminish the appeal of heat pumps, however with innovation this is becoming less of an issue, with many operating at similar levels to a refrigerator. Progress is also being made to make heat pump units smaller and work vertically. But the issues of aesthetics and air fl ow are not
overcome with these advancements. Another option that can help solve these issues and bring more homes into the target of heat pump installations are remote heat pumps.
Remote on the rise
Remote heat pumps work the same as heat pumps located next to a property, but the outdoor unit is located further away. For example, at the end of a garden or alongside a garage. This then requires specialist underground pipework to transfer heat from the heat pump to the house. Due to the increased distance between the unit and the property, the potential heat losses are naturally higher. It’s at this point installers are faced with the
challenge of how to effi ciently transfer heat to the property. Long-term performance and durability of the heat pump can be achieved through dedicated underground pre-insulated pipework. Unlike improvised solutions, these engineered systems minimise heat loss, protect against environmental damage and, most importantly for installers, are straightforward in their installation. Because if our mission as an industry is to
encourage more homeowners to seek out heat pumps, the role of the installer cannot be overlooked. It’s important these innovative solutions are making
26 May 2026
Left: Steve Richmond, sales & marketing director at Rehau Water Technologies
installations as quick and hassle-free as possible, which in turn makes installers more confi dent in quoting and ensures more eff ective installations.
The future of heat pumps The recent spotlight on heat pumps
and low-carbon heating has injected the industry with a need to create better solutions that are not just
attractive to the homeowner but convenient for the installer. Pre-insulated pipework off ers a specialist
solution for underground heat transfer. These are pipes that consist of a carrier pipe, insulation, and an outer casing. Solutions are available with either PU foam or PEX foam sheet insulation. For these applications PEX solutions are most frequently selected, due to their higher fl exibility and ease of installation.
Most importantly, polymer pipework is corrosion
resistant, a signifi cant advantage compared to alternative materials. This provides the homeowner with a high level of protection against any underground damage that would necessitate costly groundwork to be remedied. Innovations like REHAU’s RAUVITHERM can be
installed without specialist tools by using male BSP screw fi ttings for connections, creating even more simplicity and ease for installers.
The strategy ahead
Making heat pumps accessible to all is the key to heat pump success within the UK. Remote heat pumps off er homeowners who are
constrained by space or with potential aesthetic and noise concerns, the opportunity of low carbon heating. Installers don’t have to be put off from quoting if a homeowner can’t have or doesn’t want a heat pump close to their house but instead off er to install the system further away, thanks to pre- insulated pipework that will connect the heat pump to the property.
With this specialist solution, homeowners can be
confi dent in the energy and cost savings heat pumps bring, and installers can be confi dent in delivering a system that will stand the test of time. And perhaps, get us on track to reaching 450K annual installations.
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