PHAM NEWS | SEPTEMBER 2026 22 Renewable Energy


New skills, new horizons


The heating transition is creating new opportunities for installers, says Dave Hudson, managing director of GTEC Training.


F


or decades, installers have built successful businesses around traditional gas and oil heating systems.


Boilers have been the backbone of the sector, with the knowledge and practical skills of heating engineers keeping millions of homes warm and comfortable. But the industry is changing.


The transition towards lower- carbon heating, alongside growing demand for energy- effi cient buildings, is changing the technologies installers work with.


For some businesses, this shift


may feel challenging, particularly for installers who have spent years developing expertise around established systems. However, the move away from fossil fuels also presents opportunities for businesses to diversify, develop new skills and broaden their services.


Evolving role The installer’s role is likely to extend beyond installing and maintaining heating systems. Customers increasingly want advice on which technologies are suitable for their homes, how they can improve energy effi ciency and how to reduce running costs. This creates an opportunity to


take on a more advisory role. The industry is also moving towards a whole-home approach, where heating, ventilation, insulation,


Dave Hudson MD of GTEC Training


controls and energy management are considered together. A heating system can no


longer be considered entirely in isolation. How a property performs as a whole will aff ect comfort, effi ciency and running costs.


This creates scope to off er


a wider range of services. Businesses with knowledge across multiple technologies will be able to provide more complete solutions and respond to changing customer requirements.


The move away from fossil fuels presents


opportunities for businesses to diversify, develop new skills and broaden their services


Growing opportunity Heat pumps are one of the biggest changes taking place in heating. As demand grows, there will be a need for installers who understand how to design, install and maintain these systems correctly. This makes upskilling an important consideration for heating businesses. System design, heat loss calculations, emitter sizing and commissioning all have a crucial role in ensuring a heat pump operates effi ciently. Installation quality can have a direct impact on system performance and the homeowner’s experience. Customers need confi dence


that their system has been designed correctly and installed by someone with the appropriate expertise. Developing specialist knowledge can therefore help installers meet demand as the market develops.


Look beyond heating The opportunities created by the energy transition extend beyond heat pumps.


As buildings become more


energy effi cient and airtight, ventilation is becoming increasingly important. Improving indoor air quality while maintaining energy effi ciency is a key consideration, with technologies such as mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) becoming more relevant. For heating businesses, ventilation off ers another way to broaden their expertise. Installers who understand how heating and ventilation systems interact can provide advice on the wider performance of a property. Smart controls and connected


heating technology are also becoming more important. Homeowners are looking for greater visibility and control over


Partnerships key to moving into heat pumps


As the UK heating market accelerates the transition to low-carbon technologies, many electrical and renewables specialists are taking their fi rst steps into air source heat pumps. For Warwickshire-based KS Connexions, that transition has been shaped by experience, careful planning and a strong focus on getting it right fi rst time.


“Solar and battery storage were


already a big part of our world,” explains director Stin Sidhu. “When we started looking at air source heat pumps, it just made sense. From our perspective, heat pumps and PV go hand in hand.” The move into heat pumps began through a long-standing relationship with heating engineer Ian Malcolm of Ringgas,


who was already working with Baxi. The partnership led KS Connexions into formal training and its fi rst installations. “We were very conscious that this was new territory for us,”


says Stin. “So, we took our time, invested in training and made sure we had the right partners.” Baxi’s technical support has


proved to be of vital importance. “Support is everything,” Stin


explains. “You only really judge a manufacturer when something doesn’t go perfectly. Having someone you can call, who really knows the product, is critical.” Since its fi rst installation, KS Connexions has completed seven ASHP projects, from two- bedroom bungalows to fi ve- bedroom homes. Systems from 6kW to 13kW three-phase units have been specifi ed using detailed heat loss calculations and Heat Punk software. “If you get the heat loss survey wrong, everything else falls apart,” says Stin. “An installation can be fi xed. A badly sized heat pump causes problems forever.” After an initial HP40 installation, the company standardised on the Baxi HP60 with pre-plumbed cylinders.


energy use through technologies such as smart thermostats, zoning and energy monitoring. These systems also give installers opportunities to provide ongoing support, optimisation and advice after the initial installation, helping to build longer-term customer relationships.


It’s all about skills The transition to low-carbon heating will require new skills, making training an important factor for businesses looking to keep pace. Installers already have many


of the foundations required, including knowledge of heating systems, plumbing, hydraulics, fault fi nding and customer service. The next step is applying that knowledge to new technologies.


Training should be viewed as an investment in the future of a business. Developing new skills can give installers access to new markets, increase confi dence and improve the service they provide. Businesses that prioritise


learning will also be better placed to respond to changes in technology, regulation and customer expectations.


Prepare for the future The heating industry has always changed, with installers adapting to new products, regulations and ways of working.


Traditional heating systems will remain an important part of the industry for years to come, but installers who expand their expertise now can put themselves in a stronger position. Developing knowledge of heat pumps, smart controls and ventilation can create new opportunities while helping businesses respond to a changing market. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/926/45


“The HP60 gives us higher


fl ow temperatures, which is really useful across diff erent property types,” says Stin. “And the pre-plumbed cylinder just makes life easier, from both a plumbing and electrical perspective.” The Baxi commissioning app has also proved useful, providing checklists, parameters and controls in one place. KS Connexions now


recommends Baxi ASHPs and is growing its heat pump off ering alongside PV and battery storage. For installers considering a similar move, Stin’s advice is straightforward: invest in training, get heat loss calculations right and don’t oversell the technology. “Heat pumps aren’t a silver


bullet, but where they’re right, they work brilliantly.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/926/46


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