HEAT PUMP GUIDE
SPONSORED BY Installer-first approach
Phil Hurley, chair of the Heat Pump Association (HPA) explains why the installer needs to be front and centre if we are to transform Britain’s heating industry
T
he Government’s Autumn 2021 Heat and Buildings Strategy sets out how the UK will decarbonise its homes, and its commercial, industrial and public sector buildings, as part of setting a path to Net Zero by 2050. Within a decade, heat pumps will become the norm, rather than the alternative to the fossil fuel boilers so many consumers have come to rely upon for decades. The phasing out of new fossil fuel boiler sales by the mid 2030s, and the interim target of 600,000 heat pumps per year by 2028 are ambitious but achievable goals. Achieving them will need manufacturers, installers, consumers and Government all to play a part in the biggest shake-up of home heating in living memory. On 14 June 2022 the Heat Pump Association
(HPA) published “Transforming Britain’s Heating – A Pathway to Heat Pumps” to set out its vision of how this transformation can take place.
The installer – front and centre
The HPA estimates 26,000 fully-trained heat pump installers will be needed to hit the Government’s 2028 target, and all major manufacturers are in a state of readiness, already able to accommodate up to 40,000 places on Ofqual-approved Level 3 heat pump installation courses. The HPA’s pathway singles out the importance of
installers in ensuring these goals are met. Its key recommendation is the creation of a highly-skilled heat pump installer workforce – to ensure that today’s 130,000 fossil fuel boiler installers are supported and encouraged, and that apprenticeship programmes are established to create a younger generation of highly-skilled careers. The heating sector could readily provide over a quarter of the 480,000 green jobs the Government wishes to establish by 2030. The HPA has also announced a special membership
category for heating installers. It has created a dedicated Installer Group to ensure installers’ views are heard and they have input into shaping the advocacy efforts on behalf of the heat pump industry. They will also receive regular newsletters, briefings on the heat pump market, Government consultations, and regular networking opportunities.
Predictable policy framework
A long-term, predictable policy framework for domestic heat decarbonisation is essential for the
investment needed in heat pump manufacturing, installer training and throughout the supply chain. Three major manufacturers have already responded to existing policy signals by committing capital to UK manufacturing of heat pumps and all major manufacturers have invested significantly in training capacity for installers. Stability of policy will ensure long-term, high-skilled British jobs are created.
Market reform
Today’s levies on consumer bills distort the home heating market by making electricity artificially more expensive than fossil fuels used for heating. The HPA sets out some pragmatic ideas to address this, as well as exploring how the Government’s new market-based mechanism for heat pump sales could drive volume of good quality heat pump installations
Left: Phil Hurley, chair of
the Heat Pump Association
help consumers during the transition period. With that strong partnership between industry and Government, those ambitious heat pump goals are entirely realistic and will enable the transformation of Britain’s Heating – with the installer front and centre of that change. We’d urge anyone interested in shaping the future of the heating sector to come and join the HPA, get involved and have their say.
Join the HPA Financing the transition
The HPA recognises the need for closing the cost gap between heat pumps and their fossil fuel counterparts during the transition. This will be addressed partly by heat pumps reducing in cost as volume increases, but applies the reality dose that subsidy schemes, such as the recently released Boiler Upgrade Scheme and VAT exemption, will continue to be needed and expanded until the transition is largely complete.
Driving change and enables it
Finally, it’s worth saying the industry accepts it will be the prime mover behind change. The HPA’s members recognise it will largely be they who deliver the change – by scaling up production, reducing costs, and particularly training and supporting installers. But this needs to be in partnership with Government providing the enabling policy change – certainty in the regulatory framework to inspire investor confidence, changes to standards and policing of them where necessary, market reform, and help with subsidy to
Now is the time to get involved and shape the policies that matter to installers. The HPA represents the heat pump industry and is at the cutting edge of developing policy. We are leading the revolution in heating and helping the switch to heat pumps. We recognise the essential part installers play in this transition, that they need support and would like their voices represented in policy decisions that impact them. The HPA is extending its membership and opening
its doors to installers with the new HPA Installer Member category. This is open to all who are involved in the sector and provides the opportunity to shape the future of the industry, influence policy and to help shape the HPA direction. HPA Installer Members are eligible to join a dedicated HPA Installer Sub-Group to discuss industry consultations, installer standards policy HPA position papers which are used to inform Government policy. HPA members receive regular newsletters, frequent emails with information on heat pump market matters, Government consultations, initiatives, and have access to the latest industry knowledge so that they can stay informed. Joining the HPA also provides members with networking opportunities and exclusive access to events. With annual membership rates starting from as little as £99 a year for sole traders, now is the time to join to influence Government policy and legislation. Play your part in the heat pump transition.
heatpumps.org.uk
20 October 2022
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