Red tape and high electricity prices are holding back the heat pump installer workforce
HPA UK (Heat Pump Association UK) has today published its Heat Pump Installer Member Priorities: Recommendations for Government and the Wider Sector to Support the Heat Pump Workforce. These recommendations have been developed collaboratively with HPA UK’s Installer Members, reflecting the views of nearly 250 installation businesses of all sizes.
They come as the Government sets out its ambition to install 450,000 heat pumps per year by 2030, which will require installers to play a critical role in delivering low-carbon heating resulting in skilled local jobs and economic growth. Recent analysis by HPA UK found that heat pump manufacturing, installation and use could be worth £15 billion to the UK economy by 2035, supporting an additional 110,000 FTE jobs.
The publication sets out the priority actions installers believe are needed to accelerate heat pump deployment through stimulating consumer demand, supporting workforce development, and reducing the administrative burden faced by heat pump installation businesses.
Key recommendations include streamlining certification and compliance requirements to reduce unnecessary paperwork while maintaining high installation standards, and ensuring that any changes to schemes or incentives are clearly signalled and designed to minimise disruption to the market.
In addition, the publication highlights the importance of rebalancing electricity and gas prices to ensure low-carbon heating becomes the most affordable option for consumers, helping to drive sustained demand.
Other priority areas outlined include:
- Support for training, skills and workforce development
- Enhanced, centralised consumer awareness and impartial advice
- Streamlining grid connection processes and updating After Diversity Maximum Demand (ADMD) calculation methodology
Across these areas, heat pump installers are calling for greater focus on simplifying processes and ensuring the market works effectively for business of all sizes, particularly for SMEs who face distinct challenges.
Supporting installers to scale will be essential to delivering the UK’s heat pump ambition, and addressing these priorities will be key to creating the conditions for the sector to decarbonise heating at pace and maximise the potential for wider economic growth.
Commenting on the release, Damon Blakemore, HPA UK’s Installer Representative, said:
“Heat pump installers are ready to play their part in scaling up deployment, but small businesses need sustained consumer demand to invest with confidence and grow. These priorities reflect what we’re hearing directly from businesses across the sector, with electricity costs and administration processes holding back progress. Getting these foundations right will help support a resilient and skilled workforce who can deliver quality heat pump installations in UK homes and businesses.”
Emma Bohan, HPA UK Co-Vice Chair commented:
“One of our objectives at HPA UK is to represent all those in the supply chain, and our installer voice continues to grow. We’re pleased to have developed priorities that are a direct reflection of the experiences and insights of our Installer Members, who are central to delivering the UK’s clean heat transition and who’s views are often not represented. This collaboration strengthens how we work together as a sector and provides a clear voice for government to engage with installers as the market develops.”
For media inquiries, please contact:
Olivia Smalley
Head of Policy and Communications
About the Heat Pump Association UK:
HPA UK is the UK’s dedicated voice for the Heat Pump Sector, driving widespread deployment of heat pump technology throughout the UK. Our membership includes the country’s leading manufacturers of heat pumps, components, and associated equipment as well as energy companies, certification bodies, installers, and training providers. We currently represent over 400 organisations working in the heat pump sector, with our members representing around 90% of the volume of heat pumps sold in the UK market.
HPA UK is the trading name of HPA Ltd.
