How to Become a Heat Pump Installer (UK Guide for 2025)

With the UK phasing out traditional gas boilers and investing heavily in low-carbon heating, heat pump installers are in high demand.

As the government pushes toward net-zero by 2050, thousands of homes and businesses are switching to air source and ground source heat pumps. Skilled installers are now among the most sought-after trades in the country.

If you're practical, detail-oriented, and interested in renewable technology, becoming a heat pump installer offers excellent earning potential and long-term career security.

This guide explains how to become a heat pump installer in the UK, including training routes, qualifications, certification requirements, and how to start your own business.

📋 Steps to Become a Heat Pump Installer

🔧 What Does a Heat Pump Installer Do?

Heat pump installers fit and maintain systems that extract heat from the air or ground to provide efficient, low-carbon heating and hot water.

Typical duties include:

• Surveying sites to determine the best system type and size
• Installing air source or ground source heat pumps and associated pipework
• Connecting electrical and control systems
• Testing, commissioning, and optimising system performance
• Maintaining and servicing heat pump systems
• Advising customers on operation and efficiency

Installers may work on domestic homes, new-build developments, or commercial buildings, often alongside plumbers, electricians, and renewable energy specialists.

📚 1. Get Your Basic Education

You'll typically need GCSEs (grades 9–4 / A–C) in English, Maths, and Science, or equivalent Functional Skills.

These subjects are essential for understanding technical drawings, measuring, and following safety standards.

If you don't have GCSEs, many training providers will allow you to complete Functional Skills qualifications as part of your trade training.

🎓 2. Choose a Training Route

There are several routes into the heat pump industry depending on your background.

Option A: Start from a Related Trade

Most heat pump installers start as plumbers, heating engineers, or electricians, since the role requires knowledge of both wet heating systems and electrical connections.

Recommended qualifications include:

• Level 2 or 3 NVQ Diploma in Plumbing and Domestic Heating
• Level 3 Diploma in Gas Engineering
• Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installation

Once qualified, you can add heat pump-specific training to your existing skills.

Option B: Heat Pump Installation Courses

For existing tradespeople, accredited short courses provide focused training on renewable heating systems. Popular options include:

• BPEC Level 3 Award in Heat Pump Systems (Air Source and Ground Source)
• City & Guilds 2399 Level 3 Award in the Installation and Maintenance of Heat Pump Systems
• EAL Level 3 Award in Heat Pump Technology

These courses typically take 3–5 days to complete for qualified tradespeople and cover:

• Heat pump principles and design
• System sizing and siting
• Installation, testing, and commissioning
• Maintenance and fault diagnosis
• Building Regulations and energy efficiency standards

If you're new to plumbing or heating, you'll need to complete a foundation qualification first before progressing to Level 3.

Option C: Apprenticeship Routes

Heat pump installation is now included in the Level 3 Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician Apprenticeship, which lasts around 3–4 years and includes renewable technology modules.

Other relevant options include the Low Carbon Heating Technician (Level 3) apprenticeship, expected to expand nationwide by 2026.

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with part-time study and are fully funded for most learners under 25.

🛠️ 3. Gain Practical Experience

Hands-on experience is essential for safe and efficient installation.

You'll learn to:

• Design systems suited to property types and heating demands
• Install external and internal units, pipework, and cylinders
• Fill and commission systems with refrigerant or glycol
• Balance heating circuits for maximum efficiency
• Test system performance and safety

Experience on-site is especially important for understanding heat loss calculations, hydraulic layouts, and working with refrigerant circuits.

📜 4. Get Certified (MCS and RECC)

To install heat pumps that qualify for government schemes such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), your company must be MCS certified (Microgeneration Certification Scheme).

MCS Requirements

To gain certification, you'll need:

• A qualified lead installer (Level 3 heating qualification + heat pump award)
• Documented installation procedures and quality systems
• Proof of training and technical competence
• RECC membership (Renewable Energy Consumer Code)

MCS certification is essential if you want to work on domestic heat pump installations or tender for government-funded projects.

Learn more at www.mcscertified.com.

🪪 5. Get a CSCS Card

You'll need a CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) card for most sites.

To apply, you must:

• Pass the Health, Safety & Environment Test
• Provide evidence of your qualifications

This ensures you meet national safety standards when working on construction or retrofit projects.

🚀 6. Start Your Own Heat Pump Business

Once qualified and experienced, many installers set up their own renewable heating businesses.

To start successfully, you'll need to:

• Register as self-employed with HMRC
• Obtain public liability insurance and tool/van cover
• Maintain MCS and RECC certification
• Build a website and Google Business Profile
• Network with local builders, architects, and housing developers

Demand for certified installers far exceeds supply, particularly for retrofits under government decarbonisation schemes.

⏱️ How Long Does It Take to Become a Heat Pump Installer?

The exact timeline depends on your starting experience. Existing engineers can upskill quickly, while beginners need full plumbing or heating qualifications first.

💰 How Much Does It Cost?

Funding is available through CITB, Skills Bootcamps for Heat Pumps, and Apprenticeships.

💵 Heat Pump Installer Salaries in the UK (2025)

Sources: National Careers Service, MCS, Checkatrade, Indeed, Solar Energy UK (2025).

Installers with MCS certification and experience in both air source and ground source systems are among the highest-paid renewable engineers in the UK, often charging £300–£500 per day.

📈 Career Progression and Specialisations

Once qualified, you can expand into:

• System design and heat loss surveying
• Ground source heat pump drilling and groundworks
• Hybrid systems (heat pump + boiler combinations)
• Energy consultancy or retrofit coordination
• Training and assessment roles

With the right experience, you could also become an MCS auditor or renewable project manager.

⚖️ Challenges and Rewards

🎯 Final Thoughts

Becoming a heat pump installer in the UK offers one of the most exciting opportunities in the modern trades sector.

With the heating industry shifting toward low-carbon technologies, skilled installers are essential to helping homes and businesses reach net zero.

Whether you're an experienced heating engineer or a newcomer looking to retrain, this is a trade with huge potential. Combining hands-on craftsmanship, technical skill, and real environmental impact.

📚 Related Resources

• Best Leads Tool for Tradespeople 2025
• Is Checkatrade Worth the Price?
• Is Bark Worth the Price?
• HomeBuyerLeads.co.uk

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