The results of a new survey of installer attitudes to heat pumps and other low carbon heating solutions have been released by Stelrad. The study reveals that 78% of heating industry professionals believe that demand for heat pumps has increased over the last five years, while seven out of ten professionals now view heat pumps as being a more viable solution compared to a few years ago.
Partly driven by events on the world stage, nearly four in five heating industry professionals say global issues were driving demand for technologies like heat pumps. This attitudinal shift is driving an even greater need for training, education and awareness about the ways heat pumps can help the UK deliver on its ambition to decarbonise homes and cut emissions.
Having consulted 200 heating industry professionals, from gas engineers to plumbers, Samsung’s research also confirms that challenges still remain, despite this buoyancy in demand. Only 23% of current heating industry professionals are already fully trained to be an air source heat pump installer and nearly three in five (57%) are not considering training at all.
61% of those polled attributed the skills gap in low carbon and energy efficient technology to a lack of understanding about the future potential for heat pumps. 59% said they are waiting for more accessible training and education to support the workforce, indicating that despite demand increasing, there are still difficulties turning this demand into reality.
Scott Young, training manager at Samsung Climate Solutions, comments: “Our research clearly shows that there are real concerns in the heating industry about the lack of suitable training options available in low carbon tech. That’s why at Samsung, we have recently overhauled our training curriculum to encourage installers to upskill. Through webinars, e-learning modules and offering training for formal industry qualifications we are committed to providing a suite of learning options which are flexible and fit around the busy schedules of installers.”
Beyond boosting skills in low carbon and energy efficient technologies, the study also suggests that the industry is craving wider support from government on decarbonising homes to help the UK reach its net zero ambition. Around three quarters of respondents think that the government could be doing more in terms of legislation, grants and awareness to support the switch to air source heat pumps. This is especially important as price point was cited as the most important consideration for the customer by 78% of respondents.
In addition to further government support, 77% agreed that there should be more support from the industry and manufacturers to help install more heat pumps. 65% of respondents say making changes to radiators or household heat emitters is the number one consumer barrier to heat pump adoption while 62% also highlight concerns about the reliability of the technology at low outdoor temperatures, there is a clear need for manufacturers to step up consumer education about the range of solutions on offer and the efficacy of their products when stress tested.
Despite progress in heat pump technology giving heating industry professionals broader options when it comes to retrofit installs or within new build developments, uncertainty remains as 58% are unclear about the ‘roadmap for change’ towards low carbon heating, with training remaining a sticking point.
Samsung’s heating product manager Joseph Raftery, says: “The government Future Homes Standard of 2025 is drawing ever closer, ruling out fossil fuel heating in all new build developments. This is a major milestone for our housing sector, reflected in the fact that 78% of heating industry professionals say demand for heat pumps had increased in the last five years. There’s never been a better time for installers to work with architects and developers to incorporate low carbon heating solutions into property designs.”
To find out more about Samsung Climate Solutions and the company’s new EHS Mono HT Quiet heat pump, please click here
