Installers Say Heat Pumps Are The Future, According To New Daikin Research

Plumbing and heating installers are very optimistic about the future of their businesses, as more households explore low-carbon heating solutions, according to new research. 

Research details 

Daikin UK’s latest Installer Confidence Monitor, which surveys members of its Sustainable Home Network, found that over half (53 percent) predict that between half and all their business will come from installing heat pumps and hybrid heat pumps in the next five years.

Meanwhile, almost two-thirds (62 percent) expect their profits to increase over the next 12 months and four out of five (88 percent) expect profits to increase over the next five years.

Heat pump transition

59% agree that the government should support hybrid heat pumps as an important transitional technology

The research comes amid increased calls for government support for households to make the heat pump transition, with nine out of ten (93 percent) agreeing that more must be done to make heat pumps affordable and accessible.

And more than half (59 percent) agree that the government should support hybrid heat pumps as an important transitional technology for homeowners.

installation training

Martin Passingham, Product and Training Manager at Daikin UK said, “It’s encouraging that Sustainable Home Network installers see a bright future for heat pumps and hybrid heat pumps, and are confident (84 percent) about the future of their businesses."

He adds, “Upskilling is vital to help decarbonize the UK’s home heating, so it’s great to see that training is still a top priority for many, who plan to invest time and money in installation training for both heat pumps (87 percent) and hybrid heat pumps (40 percent) over the next 12 months."

accredited courses

Martin Passingham continues, “This will help installers future-proof their businesses as existing customers upgrade to cleaner, green options, while growing and expanding their customer base, with over two-thirds (72 percent) looking to recruit in the next five years.”

Through its accredited courses and a 40-strong network of Sustainable Home Centres Daikin can train over 7,000 installers on air-source heat pumps. To go even further, it’s recently launched a new Training Academy in partnership with CB Heating and EDF which will train around 4,000 installers a year through practical and classroom training.

Research findings 

93 % think educating homeowners is important to driving demand for hybrid heat pumps and heat pumps

Daikin UK’s research found that four out of five (84 percent) have seen an increase in the number of inbound inquiries for heat pumps from homeowners over the last three months.

Installers believe this increase has been driven by the opening of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (69 percent), the introduction of zero VAT on the cost of heat pumps (42 percent), and the energy price cap increase (38 percent).

Over half (62 percent) of installers believe that homeowners’ understanding of renewable technology is below par at present. And nine out of ten (93 percent) think educating homeowners is important to driving demand for hybrid heat pumps and heat pumps. Meanwhile, over half (53 percent) agreed that the BUS is fit for purpose.

air source heat pump technology

Martin Passingham stated, “It’s clear that further education is needed for homeowners on renewable forms of heating, its importance for a more sustainable future, and the funding options available."

He adds, "Our network of Sustainable Home Centres across the country provides hubs for homeowners looking to familiarize themselves with air source heat pump technology, and our YouTube channel seeks to educate and explain the technology as it becomes more mainstream."

opportunities and challenges

Martin Passingham continues, “We run this survey regularly, to understand the opportunities and challenges facing the installers we work with, and to ensure we’re on hand with the right products, training, and business support to help them succeed."

He concludes, “Becoming a Daikin Sustainable Home Centre is the top tier of Sustainable Home Network membership, whereby we partner with plumbing and heating businesses to create a local heat pump showroom and installer training center so we can lead the movement towards a low carbon future together.”

Daikin Sustainable Home Network

Daikin Sustainable Home Network is free to join and offers heat pump installers a wide range of benefits

The Daikin Sustainable Home Network is free to join and offers heat pump installers a wide range of business-building benefits and expertise.

The entry-level is Sustainable Home Installer, after which there are opportunities to progress to Sustainable Home Expert and ultimately to become a Sustainable Home Centre.

free and personalized training

More than five in ten (59 percent) respondents to Daikin’s recent Installer Confidence Monitor survey have benefited from the free training that’s available through their membership, with just under a third saying the sales lead (28 percent) and free technical support phone (34 percent) from Daikin UK have also benefited their business.

A third have benefited from personalized marketing materials (34 percent) and branded van livery and workwear (25 percent), while a quarter (28 percent) have benefited from special offers on key products.