EP #26 – Will Gas Engineers Lose Their Jobs To Heat Pumps? w/ John Vinter

Overview

Are heat pumps really better than boilers? Will they work in every home? And most importantly—should gas engineers start training for them now?

In this episode of the FieldRocket Podcast, host Tulloch Priest sits down with John Vinter, Inspection Service Manager at OFTEC, to uncover the truth about heat pumps.

Highlights

The future of the industry

• (0:57) The future is heat pumps and other greener heating solutions as net zero becomes more important.
• (1:52) Heat pumps are just one viable solution for well-insulated houses and new builds. For other properties, there needs to be other suitable solutions like HVO.
  • (2:44) HVO (or hydrotreated vegetable oil) is a biofuel that OFTEC has been pushing, but not as a one-fits-all solution.
• (3:30) There is a large off-grid sector that needs alternate net-zero-friendly solutions.
• (4:30) Currently, HVO is more expensive than other fuels like kerosene. The government needs to come in and think more broadly about solutions like HVO, hydrogen, etc.
• (13:42) Ambitious targets are needed to hit net-zero. John suggests that funding schemes need to be as simple as possible – and readily available.
• (23:30) Heat pumps aren’t new technology, they’ve just started to gain traction as a solution for net zero. This is largely because the focus hasn’t historically been on reducing the amount of carbon we produce.
  (24:50) John believes heat pumps are a big part of the future, but there will be a balance of solutions.

Heat pumps vs gas boilers

• (6:01) Heat pumps heat radiators to about 45-55 degrees, but a gas boiler can go from 70-80. Heat pumps need to be run 24/7, gently heating the house.
• (7:15) If the heat pump is installed correctly, you will be warm – but it’s all in the design.
• (10:45) Running costs are comparable to gas, given that it’s a well-insulated property.

How are heat pumps for installers?

• (7:45) MCS, as a certification scheme, is more demanding on the installer and makes sure the design and installation are done right, together with an insurance-backed guarantee.
• (9:48) Because you have a lower temperature from heat pumps, you need a greater surface area on radiators. This means installing a heat pump involves room-by-room heat loss calculations and a proper design process.
• (20:45) The design process is more complex because you may need to install a buffer tank and consider the size of the radiators and existing pipe work. There’s more thought involved than just ripping out a boiler and installing a heat pump.
• (11:20) For the installer, there isn’t any extra risk in doing heat pump installations.
• (12:20) Adding heat pumps to their business scope offers flexibility and more opportunities.
• (16:35) There are very few inspections where OFTEC encounters problems with a heat pump installation.
  • John even thinks that in many ways, they are simpler than a gas boiler as you haven’t got to worry about ventilation and a flue.