Helping merchants make the most of complex heat pump installations

MCS figures clearly demonstrate that installations of heat pumps are rapidly rising, but what more can be done to hit the 200,000 annual target. Jack Trivett explores how complex heat pumps could play a part.

21.10.2024

By Jack Trivett – Area Sales Manager at REHAU Building Solutions

According to the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) Foundation, the UK installed a record number of heat pumps in 2023[1]. In total, just under 40,000 were registered by the MCS for the year – a 20% increase on 2022. However, this is far below the 200,000 annual target set out by the National Audit Office if the UK is to remain on track with its decarbonisation goals.[2]

But though there is currently a shortfall in this area, the MCS’s figures clearly demonstrate that installations are rising rapidly overall. On an individual homeowner level, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), which provides a grant of £7,500 for homes switching to air or ground source heat pumps, is an example of another initiative continuing to move the needle on the uptake of this technology. The fact the Department of Energy Security and New Zero issued a notice in early October giving Ofgem the ability to over-allocate BUS vouchers up to £200 million also demonstrates the new Government’s commitment to heat pump solutions.[3]

Further Down the Supply Chain

What does this mean for the supply chain, and builders merchants in particular? First and foremost, installer enquiries about heat pump components, including pipework, will undoubtedly rise.

This news is not ‘new’ – the sector has long anticipated growth in the heat pump market and has adapted to include various solutions as part of their overall product offering. Both individual builders merchants and those in larger buying groups are not going from a standing start in this area and may already stock numerous heat pump components. With the growing demand and installer numbers, there is however a need for a wider understanding of installations that sit outside the standard monobloc projects.

Seeing the Opportunity

The advantage here for merchants is in becoming a ‘go-to’ source of expertise that can guide installer purchasing decisions at the counter, driving installer buying loyalty and spend value. The relative newness of heat pumps as a widely adopted technology will undoubtedly lead to more questions about best installation practice as uptake increases.

Currently, most installers on conversion courses are mainly trained to carry out monobloc projects – that is, a heat pump that sits adjacent to the home. This is understandable, as it is increasingly being seen as standard practice when it comes to fitting this technology for domestic use. Fitters can likely expect a sizeable amount of heat pump projects to revolve around this type of installation, with merchants simply seen as a supplier for certain standard components.

But this is not a one-size-fits-all solution, as space concerns such as side entries can hamper the siting of an installation. Similarly, some homeowners or planning stipulations might determine that a heat pump next to their home might ruin its overall aesthetic. In other cases, it might be that the house’s connection point does not lend itself well to a monobloc installation.

These circumstances will require the installation of a heat pump further away from the property. Installers used to monobloc projects may be ill-equipped to handle this sort of situation without guidance from their most immediate point-of-contact – the builders merchant.

Leveraging the Supply Chain

Importantly, the supply chain already contains expertise around heat pump components, and this is knowledge merchants can leverage. By doing so, they can develop a valuable revenue stream and source of repeat business if merchants can answer installer questions about these projects.

For instance, more remote installations will require additional materials, for heat transport from the heat pump to the property. The most suited product is flexible pipework systems that can enable complex connections or can be used in more cramped conditions depending on where the installation is eventually located. Considering how far the heat pump may be from the home, it is also vital the fitter selects pipework made from thermally efficient materials that minimise heat losses.

Importantly, any selected pipework should be easy to fit and visually inspect to ensure integrity, shortening time installers spend on-site without compromising overall quality. System connections across pre-insulated pipework vary dependent on the distance and route from heat pump to property, but there is a clear advantage to systems without any hot works. Compression sleeve technology offers installers 50% faster connections and there is a full range of tees and terminations to offer complete system flexibility.

These are considerations that can be explained over the counter to better inform customer pipework selection and further enhance in-branch service. But to do so, it is vital that merchants work closely with the supply chain to build product awareness and what constitutes best specification practice in this rapidly growing area. Remaining in contact with component manufacturers is an ideal way to do this and should be encouraged as more installers transition to heat pump fitting in the near future.

Exploring the Opportunity

Granted, though there are fewer of this type of installation compared to monobloc projects, they must be viewed in a wider context of how crucial heat pumps are key to the country’s Net Zero goals. With the Government aiming to install 600,000 heat pumps annually by 2028, even a small portion of these figures can add up to a large business opportunity for builders merchants.[4] Branches that can adapt their approach accordingly and best utilise the expertise of component manufacturers will find themselves ahead of the curve as the nation continue to decarbonise its home heating.

If you’re looking to learn more about remote heat hump installations, get in touch HERE.

[1] MCS Foundation

[2] Decarbonising Home Heating

[3] Ofgen

[4] REHAU - RAUVITHERM for heat pumps