Want to be a heat pump installer? Start with plumbing!
Heat pumps are at the centre of the UK’s transition to low-carbon heating, creating exciting opportunities for both new entrants and experienced tradespeople. Harry Budd, Marketing Manager at Logic4training, explains why a strong foundation in plumbing remains the most important first step towards a successful career as a multi-skilled heat pump installer.
Heating homes is one of the UK’s biggest carbon problems, accounting for around 20% of national greenhouse gas emissions. To achieve legally binding net zero targets, gas and oil boilers must be replaced by low-carbon alternatives. Heat pumps are one of the best and most scalable solutions we have, whether individually installed in homes or delivering heating to communities through heat networks.
Unlike direct electric heating, which converts electricity to heat on a one-for-one basis, a heat pump can deliver 3 kWh of heat or more for every 1 kWh of electricity it uses, because it’s moving heat from outside rather than generating it. Heat pumps are more efficient, cheaper to run and result in fewer carbon emissions, particularly as the grid transitions to renewable sources.
Skills for the future
The current Government target for heat pump installations is 450,000 per year by 2030. Last year, more than 125,000 heat pumps were sold and 51,800 were installed under UK retrofit initiatives, including the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), ECO4 and Warm Homes schemes. On the new build side, the Future Homes Standard (FHS) will mandate heat pump installations from 2028.
According to the Heat Pump Association (HPA), meeting these targets will require over 41,000 full-time equivalent roles across the workforce, up from an estimated 2,000 active installers today. There is a real skills gap in the market, and the best way to fill it is to start with core foundational skills.
Why plumbing?
Most of the heat pumps being installed in UK homes draw warmth from the air to heat water, which is then distributed around a home through radiators, underfloor heating circuits and hot water cylinders. The delivery system is very similar to traditional central heating, only the heat source has changed.
Therefore, qualified plumbers have a wealth of transferable skills, including:
1. Pipework and heating circuits. The design, installation and commissioning of water-based heating circuits is the bread and butter of any plumber or heating engineer. Flow rates, pipe sizing, pressure and system balancing all applies directly to heat pump systems.
2. Hot water cylinder installation. Heat pump systems almost always require a dedicated hot water cylinder. As a plumber, you will be trained to install and connect cylinders as a matter of routine.
3. Radiators and emitters. Heat pumps work most efficiently at lower flow temperatures, typically 35-55°C. Sometimes existing radiators need upgrading to reach the desired efficiency. Assessing, sizing and fitting radiators is core plumbing knowledge, as is understanding how to balance a system for optimum performance.
4. System design. Experienced plumbers already know about heat loss, boiler sizing and circuit design. Heat pump installations require the same analytical approach; the emphasis simply shifts towards lower flow temperatures and accurate heat loss calculations.
5. Replacing the heat source, not the whole system. Knowing how to assess an existing heating system is just as important as knowing how to install the new one. A plumber can walk into a property and quickly identify what can stay, what needs upgrading and how the heat pump will integrate with what’s already there.
Become a plumber
To become a qualified plumber in the UK, learners typically need to complete a Level 2 Plumbing Diploma and the Water Regulations qualification (WRAS). The next step is a Level 2 Plumbing NVQ which will enable you to apply for a JIB Plumbing Skills Card and/or WRAS/WIAPS Approved Plumber Status.
Trainee plumbers can choose to undertake an apprenticeship or qualify through an industry-based training provider, which is usually quicker. But remember, good training focuses on genuine competence rather than certificates alone. Hands-on assessment, practical workshops and exposure to realistic installation scenarios are all essential, both for building confidence and for meeting professional standards.
Upskill to heat pumps
Once you have put your new skills into practice and gained the relevant plumbing and heating experience, you will be perfectly positioned to move into low-carbon heating solutions, including heat pumps.
The LCL Awards Level 3 air source heat pump (ASHP) qualification covers system design principles, installation requirements, commissioning procedures and ongoing maintenance. It is recognised by MCS as a demonstration of competency as a heat pump installer. Those wishing to prove design competency must also hold the Level 3 Award in Low Temperature Heating and Hot Water Systems Design in Dwellings alongside WRAS.
A career with a bright future
With a legally binding net zero target rapidly approaching, rising consumer interest in low-carbon heating and Government initiatives, such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) and the forthcoming Future Homes Standard (FHS), demand for qualified heat pump installers will only increase.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to future-proof a career in the trades, a strong foundation in heating and plumbing will set you on the road to success.
