The path to a low-carbon future for the heating industry is filled with promise and significant hurdles, as highlighted in the 2024 Installer Skills Survey by Baxi. This survey sheds light on the barriers that prevent heating engineers from fully embracing low-carbon heating solutions, including heat pumps. Practical training gaps, complex government incentives, and limited consumer demand are cited as the key obstacles holding back progress.
Key Survey Insights:
- Low Adoption of Heat Pumps: While the number of installers fitting heat pumps has increased, only 9% of them currently install these systems—a modest rise but still a small fraction.
- Confidence Gap in Installation: Half of the surveyed installers reported being unlikely to take up heat pump installations within the next three years, indicating a confidence issue.
- Low Consumer Demand: Just 3% of installers receive consistent inquiries from customers about low-carbon heating options, pointing to low public awareness and demand.
Ian Trott, Baxi’s Head of UK Training, emphasises the importance of targeted support. He advocates for more accessible, hands-on training to boost installer confidence and competence, which would facilitate the wider adoption of low-carbon heating systems.
The Role of Heat Batteries in Decarbonisation
In addition to heat pumps, new technologies such as heat batteries could help drive the clean heat transition. A recent Neat Heat project trial—conducted by UK Power Networks, OVO, and Tepeo—explored heat battery technology as a practical alternative to traditional fossil-fuel heating. Heat batteries work by storing energy and shifting demand to off-peak hours, offering substantial cost and emissions reductions, even during peak winter heating demand. This approach could be especially beneficial in homes where retrofitting heat pumps is complex or costly.
Breaking Down the Barriers: Training and Consumer Awareness
The enthusiasm for low-carbon solutions is palpable, but practical obstacles remain. While innovations like heat batteries offer new avenues, the industry’s readiness hinges on skilled installers and an informed consumer base. For heating engineers to drive this transition, training opportunities must increase, empowering them with confidence and practical expertise. Likewise, boosting consumer awareness is vital to create the demand that will sustain the market for green heating options.
SERT Training’s Role in the Clean Heat Transition
For companies like SERT, these insights highlight the urgent need for specialised training programmes that bridge the skills gap in the low-carbon heating industry. By equipping engineers with the tools and knowledge to navigate new technologies like heat pumps and heat batteries, SERT can play a pivotal role in achieving the UK’s decarbonisation goals.
In summary, while significant challenges exist, targeted training and consumer awareness can transform the UK’s heating landscape, advancing towards a cleaner, sustainable future.