How To Become A Heat Pump Installer

Heat pumps are perhaps the hottest topic in the heating world at the moment. In the midst of the Government’s net zero push, at least one thing is certain: there is a huge lack of qualified heat pump installers. 

With the way things are moving, training to become a heat pump installer is looking to be a smart decision. With plenty of work on the horizon and good salaries, it’s bound to be a rewarding career path. 

This is especially true for those that are heating engineers, as you’re already more than halfway there. Joining the right heat pump installation course will only take a few days and lets you offer another service and take on more profitable jobs. 

But what qualifications and accreditations do you need exactly? And which heat pump courses are the best? This article will give you the low-down on how to become a heat pump installer and everything you’ll need to know.

Average heat pump engineer salary

According to the National Careers Service, heat pump engineer salaries range between £22,000 and £45,000 per year depending on their experience. 

In contrast, a gas engineer may earn between £18,000 and £38,000 per year, and a HVAC engineer could earn between £20,000 and £35,000. 

This means that experienced heat pump installers earn anywhere between £7000 and £10,000 more than those of similar experience in other trades. 

In general, taking more training courses and learning more about your industry will help you gain experience and expertise. This will in turn allow you to charge premium rates for a better service. 

Of course, your exact earnings will depend on whether you’re working as an employee within a company or running your own successful business, for example. Using modern tools like FieldRocket’s job management software will help you get the most out of your skillset and run your business more efficiently.

Why should you become MCS certified?

Almost every single customer installing a heat pump will want to claim the 7500 GBP grant. For them to do this, their installer (you) must be MCS certified. 

If you aren’t already, getting your MCS certification is then hugely important and requires a few extra steps. 

The MCS has published a competency guidance document which has the full list of requirements, as well as a guide to becoming certified. As a heating engineer, you’ll likely already have most of them covered. But pay special attention and make sure you have completed:

• Water Regulations Training (which will also help you get into your local WIAPS and competent persons scheme
• A low temperature heating and hot water systems in dwellings training course

What about competent persons schemes?

One of the requirements for you to receive the £500 training grant is if you are a member of a competent person scheme for heating and hot water installations. As a heating engineer, this can be your Gas Safe Register membership. 

But after completing your training, you’ll need to join a competent person scheme for heat pump installations. There is a full list of all the competent person schemes recognised in the UK, but those for heat pumps include APHC, Certsure (NICEIC), NAPIT and OFTEC.

Joining one of these schemes (or updating your membership if you are already registered with one) will let you self-certify that your heat pump installations comply with all the Building Regulations. Without having to get your work inspected, this will save you time and money (which means a cheaper and more attractive service for your customers).

#1 There will only be more demand for heat pump installations

Especially now with the 50% increase of the BUS grant, demand for heat pumps is sure to rise. Completing your training courses now enables you to catch this demand as it’s picking up steam. 

In addition to this, completing your training early and doing a few installations now will help you become one of the more experienced heat pump installers in your area.

#3 Heat pump installation jobs can be more profitable

Taking a few days off for training might make a small dent in that month’s earnings, but you’ll soon make up the difference with a few heat pump installation jobs. In general, heat pump installations are a more complex and longer process. You’ll end up charging more for labour costs and earn a bigger profit because of it.

Are some better than the others?

If you can afford the time off to attend the training courses, it might be better to take both the air and ground source training courses. This will ensure you are fully qualified to install both types of heat pumps and widen your potential job opportunities, and you can save a little time combining the two.

As far as the different heat pump training courses themselves, as long as they are certified, we would simply recommend going for the one closest and most convenient to your home or office. 

For those in in the midlands, London, or Kent, we recommend Logic4Training and their range of heat pump courses on offer. 

Prices are generally consistent among the providers, and with the Government subsidy of 500 GBP, these courses become very financially affordable (or even free).