Heat Pumps Today

20 Heat pumps weren’t always a viable alternative to central heating. But with the evolution of technology and the Government’s focus on our transition from gas to low carbon heating heat pumps are fast becoming the preferred sustainable solution says Martin Passingham, Daikin UK’s Product & Training Manager Why installer training is key to paving the road to Net Zero The heat pump market in the UK has doubled in size in recent years – significant progress that mustn’t be downplayed – but we urgently need to accelerate momentum in the marketplace. The Government is notably targeting 600,000 domestic heat pump installations per year by 2028, and installer training is fundamental to making this possible. Putting the numbers aside for a moment, it’s vital that homeowners have a good experience during the installation process, and confidence in their heat pump solution in the weeks, months and years that follow. Early adopters who opt for a heat pump in the short term will e ectively become ambassadors for the technology and can August | September 2021 T R A I N I N G encourage others to make the move as well. And for installers, ensuring the install is carried out to a high standard will eliminate the potential need for follow-up visits to resolve any issues – increasing the likelihood of word-of-mouth recommendations, and maximising the time available to take on more new jobs. What a successful install looks like Heat pumps are very di erent to gas-powered heating systems – but as long as installers know what to look out for, there’s no reason why they can’t future-proof their businesses by entering the world of renewables. Let’s explore five key considerations when installing an air source heat pump. 1. Outdoor unit minimum clearances The location of the outdoor unit is important to get right. If there’s not enough space for air to flow across the heat exchanger, the system’s capacity and e ciency throughout its lifetime can be compromised. 2. Hydraulic connections Setting up the hydraulic components properly is critical to ensure the optimum flow rate in the system, so that it can e ectively and consistently meet the household’s heating and hot water needs. The use of automatic bypass values helps to maintain a constant minimum flow rate, and hydraulic separators are Martin Passingham, Product and Training Manager at Daikin UK