Daikin’s Hamid Salimi reveals how skilled electricians can leverage their expertise to gain a share of the booming heat pump installation market.
The UK government wants to jump from around 30,000 heat pump installations before 2020 to 600,000 a year by 2028. This is a staggering twenty-fold expansion, and requires an army of qualified professionals that does not yet exist. For electricians who want to advance their skills, this shortage represents a business opportunity for a generation.
Perfect timing meets perfect skills
The urgency stems from multiple converging pressures. Legally mandated carbon reduction targets have focused on home heating, given that residential gas consumption generates nearly 14% of Britain’s global greenhouse gas emissions.
Combine this with unprecedented fluctuations in energy prices and growing environmental awareness on the part of homeowners, and we get real market demand for heating technologies that promise lower carbon output and potentially lower operating costs.
The industry desperately needs to double its qualified installation workforce by 900% within three years. Electricians who move decisively now can prove themselves before the competition heats up.
And here is the compelling truth: electrical expertise provides the ideal foundation for heat pump specialization. You already understand three-phase power, control circuits, and complex electrical installations. You are comfortable with sophisticated control systems, sensor integration, and electrical troubleshooting under pressure.
Consider your existing competencies. You professionally manage customer expectations, consistently deliver high-quality installations, and resolve technical issues efficiently. You understand electrical safety regulations, feel comfortable with advanced diagnostic equipment, and have earned a reputation for dependable service.
These are not just relevant skills, they are exactly what the heat pump sector requires.
Rather than requiring a change in your entire career, heat pump installation represents a natural progression of your electrical experience. You’re improving your repertoire, and you’re not abandoning everything you’ve built.
Comprehensive training and support
Forward-thinking manufacturers like Daikin have developed sophisticated training ecosystems that extend beyond the core product orientation. The Sustainable Homes Network provides structured learning pathways, allowing for the gradual development of skills while maintaining current business operations.
Effective programs combine theoretical learning with practical experience using operational heat pump equipment. This approach proves valuable when mastering the complexities of different technologies across different property types and electrical configurations.
Look for programs that offer discounted professional certifications, including MCS certification, which removes financial barriers to recognized renewable energy credentials.
Access to government-funded training
Government funding has made comprehensive heat pump training available to electricians, regardless of experience level. For example, programs such as Daikin’s five-day intensive heat pump boot camp can combine core qualifications including water regulations assessment and Level 3 heat pump installation awards with hands-on experience using working systems.
These programs focus more on practical application than theoretical knowledge, ensuring that participants gain real confidence in composition.
Individual support throughout the learning process addresses individual needs while guidance on financing mechanisms, certification processes and business development tools helps establish sustainable heat pump operations alongside existing electrical services.
Smart manufacturers realize that training alone will not guarantee success. Comprehensive support, such as that provided through Daikin’s Sustainable Homes Network, includes lead generation systems that connect certified installers with potential customers, professional marketing materials, and financial incentive programs that provide tangible rewards.
The path to progression is logical and achievable, as this step-by-step approach systematically builds confidence rather than overwhelming newcomers.
Most valuable is ongoing technical support. Priority access to specialist help desks and expert commissioning assistance maintains service standards during the learning phase, while free commissioning support for early projects builds trust while ensuring customer satisfaction.
Get more information about the range of installer training courses offered by Daikin here
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