Plumbing and heating installers are optimistic about the future of their businesses as more households explore low-carbon heating solutions, according to Dakin UK’s research.
Daikin UK’s latest Installer Confidence Monitor, which surveys members of its Sustainable Home Network, found that 53% predict that between half and all their business will come from installing heat pumps and hybrid heat pumps in the next five years.
Meanwhile, 62% expect their profits to increase over the next 12 months and 88% expect profits to increase over the next five years.
The research comes amid increased calls for government support for households to make the heat pump transition, with 93% agreeing that more must be done to make heat pumps affordable and accessible. And 59% agree that the government should support hybrid heat pumps as an important transitional technology for homeowners.
Martin Passingham, product and training manager at Daikin UK, said: “Upskilling is vital to help decarbonise the UK’s home heating, so it’s great to see that training is still a top priority for many, who plan to invest time and money in installation training for both heat pumps (87%) and hybrid heat pumps (40%) over the next 12 months.
“This will help installers future-proof their businesses as existing customers upgrade to cleaner, green options, while growing and expand their customer base, with over two thirds (72%) looking to recruit in the next five years.”
Daikin has capacity to train over 7,000 installers on air-source heat pumps. It has also launched a new Training Academy in partnership with CB Heating and EDF which will train around 4,000 installers a year through practical and classroom training.
Matin added: “It’s clear that further education is needed for homeowners on renewable forms of heating, its importance for a more sustainable future and the funding options available. Our network of Sustainable Home Centres across the country provides hubs for homeowners looking to familiarise themselves with air source heat pump technology, and our YouTube channel seeks to educate and explain the technology as it becomes more mainstream.
“We run this survey regularly, to understand the opportunities and challenges facing the installers we work with, and to ensure we’re on hand with the right products, training and business support to help them succeed.”