EDF in the UK, Britain’s biggest generator of zero-carbon electricity, has entered into a strategic investment and partnership with Clacton-based CB Heating to advance its heat pump offering for its UK customers and help upskill engineers across the country.
end-to-end installation
The strategic investment means EDF will partner with CB Heating for its customer's heat pump installations, offering EDF’s 3 million customers an end-to-end installation journey through CB Heating’s Heat Pump Installer Network (HPIN) with 500 approved heat pump installers in the UK.
This announcement comes ahead of the Government’s launch of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme which will provide customers with upfront grants of £5,000 to reduce the cost of installing eligible heat pump systems.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Boiler Upgrade Scheme set out to accelerate the transition to the proven, low-carbon technology
The scheme will be open to voucher applications on the 23rd of May.
Combined with progressive installation targets, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme forms part of plans the Government set out to accelerate the transition to this proven, low-carbon technology that supports its decarbonization strategy.
Heat Pump Installers Network Academy
EDF’s investment will also support the development of a Heat Pump Installers Network Academy, delivering training to upskill engineers across the country.
There are less than 4,000 qualified heat pump installers (according to the latest MCS estimates) in the UK compared to more than 100,000 gas-safe engineers.
customer service
The Academy has the potential to train up to 4,000 new heat pump installers from autumn 2022.
With more than 20 years of experience in the heat pump market installed their first heat pump in 2000, CB Heating has a proven track record of delivering installations and excellent customer service (Trustpilot rated 4.83).
affordable and convenient heat pumps
EDF and CB Heating are ensuring installers are ready to help households move to cleaner heating"
Lord Callanan, Business and Energy Minister, said, “With £5,000 grants becoming available through the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme, heat pumps are going to be the affordable, convenient and obvious choice for consumers looking to replace a gas or oil boiler."
“This will open up huge opportunities for private sector investment, which companies like EDF and CB Heating are already taking advantage of, ensuring installers are ready to help households move to cleaner heating to keep their homes warm and avoid the volatile prices of fossil fuels.”
decarbonization
Philippe Commaret, Managing Director of Customers at EDF, said, “The more we can do now to invest in decarbonization and help Britain move away from gas, the better we will be able to protect households from the volatility of global fossil fuel markets."
“EDF is already helping Britain achieve Net Zero through its strategic investments in wind, nuclear, solar, electric vehicles and battery storage."
training and upskilling
"I am delighted that we are now investing in and partnering with CB Heating, whose experience and excellence in the heat pump market make them stand-out installers. This is the first step in delivering on our long-term strategy of decarbonization of heat."
"Through investment in training and upskilling engineers in each region of the country through the unique HPIN academy, this ambitious and regionally focussed approach will see EDF working with smaller businesses and local installers to help Britain achieve net zero.”
Heat Pump Installer Network
HPIN has enabled us to carry out installations on a national scale by working with local heating companies"
Clayton Browne, Managing Director, of CB Heating, said, “We are immensely proud that EDF has chosen to invest in what we have created here at CB Heating. We have a great team that always goes above and beyond for our customers and HPIN installers."
"The creation of our Heat Pump Installer Network – HPIN, has enabled us to carry out installations on a national scale by working with local heating companies across the UK."
low carbon heat pump technology
"HPIN embraces a real sense of togetherness working together, sharing our 20 years of specialist knowledge and experience with existing heating companies with training and support as they transition from fossil fuel boilers to low carbon heat pump technology."
"Customers can be confident buying from a national company they can trust while supporting small businesses locally, with the backing of Britain’s biggest generator of Zero Carbon electricity."
training facilities
“Our new HPIN training academy will be able to train over 4,000 engineers a year with dedicated heat pump training facilities unlike anything else currently available to any heating installer in the UK."
"I am very excited by what this partnership will provide for our customers, installers, and our team as we all move forward to a greener future.”
