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HEAT PUMP GUIDE


A commitment to Net Zero won’t install heat pumps on its own


The government’s pledge to reach Net Zero by 2050 will depend on a clear policy approach, a trained workforce and consumer confidence in the technology. Malcolm Farrow, director of marketing and external affairs at OFTEC, says we need to get all of these right if we want to see that 2050 target met


W


e’ve seen five prime ministers in the last five years, and with each of those came a change in energy minister. The


signals government sends are so important as both industry and consumers need to feel confident before making substantial long term investment decisions. That’s why the Prime Minister’s re-commitment


to Net Zero 2050 is welcome, but we now need to see the policies underneath. Businesses won’t invest in training or grow their heat pump business if the funding support changes. Likewise, households are unlikely to commit thousands of pounds to a new heating system without clarity on any further changes to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. We need to see a long-term plan so we can have certainty over what the years ahead look like. Confidence and stability in the heat pump market is vital to drive uptake.


Invest in training and upskilling


Market certainty is an important starting point but then we need to look at how we actually get heat pumps installed in our homes. We’ve known for years there is a significant shortage of heat pump installers. This is perhaps not surprising as there’s been a hesitancy for some technicians to re-skill when the potential size of that market has been relatively unknown, particularly in rural areas. We need a significant, and consistent, investment


in training. That’s why OFTEC runs its own heat pump training courses and launched a scope of registration for heat pumps, alongside liquid fuel and solid fuel appliances. Training also needs to be more practical and affordable for smaller firms where it is harder to step away from the tools. The government’s Heat Pump Training Grant has been key to helping these firms and we’ve seen a positive uptake since the scheme started.


Pragmatism about suitability


We know heat pumps are a good solution for many properties and we’re pleased to see more OFTEC technicians installing them. However, we also know that for many older properties off the gas grid, such as those on oil heating, they are less well suited due to the cost and disruption required to upgrade the home for the technology to work optimally. The government estimated the cost for an oil heated home to switch to a heat pump is around £16,900. Even with the recently increased £9,000 Boiler


Left: Malcolm Farrow, director of marketing and external affairs at OFTEC


all, installing a heating system is an expensive and important decision. That’s why it’s important everyone, from the government to industry, provides accurate information to households considering making the switch. Otherwise, an installation that becomes more expensive and increases running costs will be a story told to dozens of other households which could put them off. Alongside this, we need to see strong consumer


Upgrade Scheme grant, that leaves a significant shortfall. We have to be pragmatic if we want to reach net


zero. That means embracing alternative solutions for harder to treat homes. For oil heated homes, that means the use of renewable liquid fuels, such as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), which removes the upfront cost and disruption. The government has already recognised oil heated homes need a different approach through its Alternative Clean Heating Solutions consultation, but eight months on we have yet to have a response.


Consumer confidence through equal protections


When it comes to less familiar technologies, people naturally sometimes have a slight hesitation. After


protections. The government is already consulting on stronger protections for people having work carried out through schemes such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which is welcome. As proposed, however, this would only cover government funded work, so someone paying for a heat pump themselves could be left with less support. We’ve responded to the proposal to recommend any new protections apply to every household receiving notifiable work. There is a lot to be positive about. The heat pump market is growing, and the industry has made significant progress with demonstrating the viability of renewable liquid fuels for homes which are harder to treat. The government has shown its support for net zero by 2050. What we now need to see is ministers driving the policies underneath that commitment, so households and installers have the confidence to act.


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