25 September 2025
|
Mark Krull, Director of Logic4training, explains the incentives, opportunities and tools that are making the heat pump market more attractive than ever before.
For heating engineers, the growing heat pump market brings both opportunity and challenge. Support has never been stronger: the Heat Training Grant funds courses in installation, retrofit and low-carbon technologies, while schemes inspired by Nesta’s Start at Home initiative let installers fit a heat pump in their own property for free with expert backing. Combined with manufacturer training and finance schemes, gas engineers now have a number of practical, low-risk routes into the sector – clear stepping-stones towards confident, competent work.
A market on the rise
With nearly 100,000 heat pumps sold in 2024, the heat pump market is growing at pace. Recent figures from the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) show that uptake is climbing steadily, with thousands of homeowners and landlords keen to explore low-carbon alternatives. BUS grants, offering up to £7,500 towards installations, have already made heat pumps financially viable for many households, and proposed changes will broaden eligibility to include air-to-air systems and heat batteries.
This growth represents a clear and unprecedented opportunity. Properties previously unsuitable for traditional air or ground-source heat pumps now have options, while finance schemes reduce upfront costs and make adoption more appealing to a wider demographic. The challenge is bridging the skills gap – knowing how to install and maintain these systems safely and efficiently.
Using your own home as a training ground
Closing the disconnect between training and real-world installation is often a sticking point for new entrants. One of the most practical ways engineers can gain hands-on experience is through their own properties. Nesta’s Start at Home project, run in partnership with the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation (SNIPEF), enabled qualified installers to fit an air source heat pump in their own property - giving them valuable, low-risk, hands-on experience - and a free heat pump!
The research showed this approach boosted confidence and technical knowledge, particularly around system design, heat loss calculations and commissioning. Living with a heat pump day-to-day also gave participants opportunities to monitor performance, optimise efficiency, and gain insights into the user experience – knowledge they could share with future customers. For some, the home installation provided credible evidence towards MCS certification, while for all it strengthened their ability to promote heat pumps with authenticity and assurance. Marry this with formal training, and engineers can quickly build the confidence and competence needed to operate effectively in the retrofit heat pump market.
Logic4training qualified heat pump engineers can take advantage of versions of the ‘Start at Home’ initiative through either Grant Engineering’s ‘Start with Grant’ or Alto Energy’s ‘Alto Assured Start at Home’ schemes. Installers who take part in ‘Start with Grant’ will be eligible to join Grant UK’s G1 Scheme. Alto Energy offers a choice of heat pumps from a range of manufacturers, recipients will become ‘Alto Assured Partners’, with access to Alto’s MCS Umbrella scheme.
Government-back financial support
For engineers looking to complete courses in heat pump installation, insulation retrofits and low-carbon technologies, the Heat Training Grant provides £500 towards the cost of training. For those used to gas boilers, these qualifications provide a structured learning path that aligns with recognised standards and MCS compliance requirements.
Combine discounted training with a free heat pump and you’ve really got an unbeatable incentive to become a heat pump installer.
Manufacturer-led courses: learning from the experts
While formal qualifications give you the theoretical foundation, manufacturer led training ensures you understand the practical specifics of the equipment you’ll be working with. Manufacturer training is usually free (offered as part of the aforementioned ‘Start at Home’ inspired programmes).
This approach provides two benefits. First, you learn the nuances of installation and maintenance directly from the people who design the systems. Second, you gain a stamp of credibility with your customers – showing that you are trained and endorsed by the manufacturers themselves. In a market where trust and reliability are paramount, this can be a significant differentiator. By aligning yourself with a particular manufacturer you may also be eligible to long warranties, technical support and MCS umbrella schemes.
Digital tools make the transition easier
A growing suite of digital tools simplify design, compliance and commissioning. Smart apps allow engineers to model property heat loads, select appropriately sized units, and even demonstrate cost and efficiency savings to customers in real time.
Many systems now offer remote diagnostics and commissioning guidance, making it easier to install systems correctly first-time and reduce call-backs.
By incorporating these tools into your workflow, you not only save time but also position yourself as a tech-savvy installer who can offer seamless, end-to-end service. Installers familiar with traditional boiler systems might see this as a big change – but in practice, it’s a matter of learning to integrate software into your existing processes, ultimately saving time and improving the accuracy of often complex tasks.
Finance models: helping customers take the plunge
Even with grants, the upfront cost of heat pumps can be a barrier for many households. This is where flexible finance schemes come into play. Options such as hire purchase, leasing, and on-bill repayments allow customers to spread costs over months or years, often offset by energy savings. For installers, understanding these models is vital: you’ll need to explain the options, structure proposals, and liaise with BUS-approved finance partners.
In practical terms, it means more work opportunities, particularly with demographics who previously couldn’t afford a full installation: flats, rented properties, and homes with limited equity. By becoming familiar with finance pathways, engineers can expand their customer base and increase uptake of low carbon technologies.
Upskilling for emerging markets
The low-carbon sector isn’t just for early adopters. New customer types are emerging:
- Private landlords face Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) regulations that require higher EPC ratings. Retrofitting A2A heat pumps or heat batteries can be a cost-effective compliance solution.
- Social and affordable housing providers are rolling out large-scale retrofit programmes, creating opportunities for teams that can deploy multiple technologies efficiently.
- First-time buyers and young professionals often need smaller-scale solutions and low-entry finance options – a niche where compact air-to-air systems and heat batteries fit perfectly.
Tapping into these emerging markets requires more than technical ability; it requires understanding the broader energy ecosystem and how different technologies integrate. Training, manufacturer engagement, and digital tools all play a part in positioning your business to serve these new clients effectively.
Start now, don’t wait
For engineers willing to invest in learning and embrace technology, the opportunities are vast. You can diversify your services, attract new customer groups, and contribute to the UK’s net-zero ambitions – all while future-proofing your business.
The transition to heat pumps doesn’t need to be daunting. With grants, training, and even free heat pumps, the tools and incentives are there to make the move in manageable steps. Start now, build confidence, and you’ll be ready to meet growing customer demand with the skills that set you apart.
www.logic4training.co.uk
