HEATING & PLUMBING
PRACTICE MADE PRACTICAL As the industry moves towards sustainability, BMJ looks at what providers are doing to support merchants and installers through the change.
I
nstallers are under increasing pressure to provide solutions to support the decarbonisation of new and existing UK homes, which are also compliant with evolving regulations, practical and cost- effective for end users. This means merchants are equally coming under pressure to stock and sell new, more energy efficient products. Hot water heat pumps (HWHP), which use air-source heat pump technology to provide hot water to residential dwellings, are emerging as the ideal energy-efficient solution. The Future Homes Standard and Part L-ready Dimplex Edel HWHP for instance, has a COP of up to 3.36, which can provide high carbon savings and means it can generate over three units of heat for every unit of electricity consumed.
However, with every new system, comes a potential learning curve, which may deter installers who are set in their ways from making the change.
To combat this, many manufacturers are making products designed for easier installations. For example, the Dimplex Edel unit, or the Baxi ASHP Pre-plumbed Cylinder, are delivered pre-wired for a seamless and straightforward installation.
Many manufacturers have also begun to offer training packages for merchants and installers looking to stock or install Heat pumps.
Training Packages
Installers looking to unlock more business opportunities through HWHPs can access hands-on training on Dimplex products by joining the Dimplex PRO Installer Club. The free membership provides access to valuable resources, technical information, dedicated support, free product training, as well as exclusive offers and special promotions. Baxi has opened its new 10,000 sqft Solutions Academy at its Warwick HQ, increasing its annual installer training capacity on the site from 600 delegates in 2023 to 2000 in 2025.
Renewables Centre, part of the Wolseley group, has partnered with NAPIT to offer accredited fully funded Air Source Heat Pump training courses at locations across the UK thanks to the Government’s recent extension of the Heat Training Grant. The government grant is on;y applies to England, but Renewables Centre are covering the cost
September 2025
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
of the training for installers in Wales and Scotland.
Andrew Busst, training lead at Renewables Centre, said: “The extension of the Heat Training Grant is a vital move at a crucial time. It sends a clear message: the transition to low-carbon heating is accelerating, and skilled installers are central to making it happen. “At Renewables Centre, we’ve removed as many barriers as possible to help heating professionals take that next step into renewables. Thanks to the government grant, we’re now offering free access to our accredited Air Source Heat Pump training course. It’s simple, straightforward, and designed to get more installers trained faster – without the admin or cost.”
The company says that demand for air source heat pumps has grown nearly 90% year-on-year, and renewables are set to jump from just 5% to over 27% of installer workload in the next five years. Renewables Centre has also teamed with Nesta to launch the Start at Home scheme, giving newly trained heat pump installers the opportunity to install a heat pump in
23 HOT WATER AND HEAT PUMPS:
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54
