The Boiler Upgrade Scheme, the cost of living crisis, and now the energy crisis have continued to push heat pumps up the national agenda and into the public eye. Heat pumps have made the leap from alternative option to an essential element of the UK’s net-zero policy. 

The future of home heating almost certainly lies with heat pumps, but some of our customers are already thinking beyond that. We’re seeing increasing interest in the ‘holy trinity’ of renewable technology systems: solar photovoltaic (PV) panels combined with a battery storage unit and a heat pump – a holistic approach to meeting energy requirements.

Improving the synergy between these products is now possible, thanks to advances in technology. The benefits of using free electricity from solar PV are well established, but power generation is low in the winter months when heat pumps are most in use. At these times, a battery storage system can charge at off-peak rates to help meet household requirements (including those of a heat pump). The saving here can be considerable as off-peak rates can be less than a quarter of the normal electricity price. 

The call for advice and guidance is coming from homeowners. We’re hearing daily from property owners who are watching seismic shifts in the economy, the climate, and the environment, and want to take steps to offset these changes and become more self-sufficient. Others simply want the feel-good factor of green technology. These people are becoming more aware of the benefits of heat pumps but are keen to learn how they can be incorporated into a renewable energy package.

Not many businesses are currently equipped to deliver a full ‘triumvirate’ system. An option for some companies, especially those specialising in the solar market, has been to team up with experienced heat pump installers. Bublshop, for example, has a network of engineers, and regularly assists with matchmaking companies.  

And that’s another thing – we need more heat pump engineers as there simply aren’t enough. The government has set its sights high, and we (as an industry) have ambitious installation targets to reach. So ambitious, in fact, that there’s simply going to be too much work for too few qualified engineers. We need to start recruiting and we need to do it fast. The future of home heating is evolving quickly and there are huge opportunities for engineers who are prepared to adapt. 

The time and cost of upskilling is well worth it though. The future of energy and its price tag is uncertain, making the switch to renewables even more appealing to customers. For many homeowners, it’s the final push they needed to shift to renewables. Skilled and knowledgeable engineers are best placed to benefit from such an uplift in demand. 

However, it’s vital for the success of the industry that all links in the chain to a successful installation maintain the highest standards. Keeping up to date with the latest developments and best practice specific to each job is a big part of this. This is a fantastic technology and, when applied correctly, is often the best option for customers, both financially and environmentally.