The lack of mandatory qualifications for heat pump installations not covered by the Boiler Upgrade Scheme has reignited the fuel behind the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering’s (CIPHE) crusade for a quality.
Under the scheme, which enables homeowners to apply for a grant to partially cover the cost of replacing fossil fuel heating systems, engineers installing heat pumps must be Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certified.
However, there is currently no mandatory qualification on top of the minimum NVQ Level 2 qualification, for general heat pump installations completed outside the scheme. The CIPHE has warned that without this, systems could be environmentally and financially inefficient and even dangerous for system users.
Kevin Wellman, chief executive of the CIPHE, stated: “Competency is essential, so the idea there’s no minimum legal standard for all heat pump installations is nonsensical.
“With proficient installation, heat pumps can provide low-carbon heating which saves money and has a positive impact on the environment - but in cases where poor installations are carried out, there could be disastrous ramifications.
“Plus, there may even be an influx of legal claims years down the line,“ Wellman continued. “We are all vulnerable if plumbing and heating work is poorly executed and, if plumbing and heating professionals are not appropriately trained and a legal standard put in place, the consequences could be severe.”
In November, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) launched a £9.2m energy efficiency training scheme.
However, the Scottish Heat in Buildings Strategy document states that “there are no specific statutory minimum qualifications required to install zero direct emissions heating systems, or carry out energy efficiency works“.
Wellman therefore called for a legal qualification requirement for all installers.
“Steps like the BEIS investment and updates to the Scottish Heat in Building Strategy are extremely positive, but this must be underpinned by a mandatory minimum standard for all heat pump installers, including those installed outside of the upgrade scheme.
“Given that many boiler replacements are distress purchases, there will be a percentage of the population who cannot wait for government grants to come through. In these incidents consumers may be vulnerable to poor installations.”
Currently, there are around 1,300 companies certified to install heat pumps - according to the MCS database - putting the approximate number of qualified heat pump installers at a mere 4,000.
According to Nesta, this means the industry must add roughly 5,000 to 7,000 engineers every year from 2025 until 2035 to meet the target of 600,000 heat pump installations per year by 2028.
“Without more qualified professionals, current installers will need to work 25-hour days, eight times a week to hit net zero targets,“ added Wellman. “That is simply absurd, and as such, government and industry must continue working together to attract new recruits while promoting ongoing training for those already in the industry.“
A Scottish Government spokesperson responded that the Heat in Buildings Strategy sets out an ambitious vision to cut carbon and improve energy efficiency across Scotland’s homes and buildings.
“Achieving that will require public buy-in and consumers must be assured that any work carried out is done to a high standard and represents good value for money - that is why we published a quality assurance policy statement, setting out the measures we will take to encourage high standards, while increasing consumer confidence in the quality of work and the level of consumer support and redress available.
“We have also worked with industry to co-produce a Supply Chains Delivery Plan for the sector, which sets out the practical steps that will be taken to support the supply chain growth needed to deliver at pace and scale.
“Together, these steps will help protect consumers while growing a high quality, well-trained supply chain for delivering the heat transition.”
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