ACR Journal

June | July 2020 INSTALLERS Volume 6 No.4 22 As we move closer to the Government’s 2050 carbon-neutral target, the heat pump market is predicted to grow at a substantial rate. Here, Iain Bevan, Commercial Manager – Heating & Renewables at Daikin UK, explores what this means for ACR engineers and the potential business benefits the new demand has to offer. Making the heat pump revolution your business advantage All of us are aware of the climate change crisis. Many of us have been starting to, whether consciously or sub-consciously, make greener and more sustainable life-style choices, in an e ort to reduce our impact on the environment. In July 2019, this became a government priority, with the UK formally pledging to become carbon neutral by 2050. Many factors will contribute to achieving this goal – reducing/cutting down on our reliance on fossil fuels is one example. With the planned phasing-out of boilers in new-build homes by as soon as 2025, society is set to look towards renewable energy systems as an alternative; with the heat pump market in particular expected to grow at an unprecedented rate. So, what do this mean for ACR engineers and installers? You may choose to ignore it, and therefore nothing changes for you and your business. However, with the right tools, training and support, this shift within the industry could present you with an exciting business opportunity that is too attractive to overlook. Ordinarily, the world of domestic heating might seem poles apart from air- conditioning and refrigeration. Yet, with the rising demand for heat pumps, the two are becoming increasingly linked. In many ways, as a qualified and experienced ACR engineer, you are already a part of the way there to making this growing renewable Knowledge and experience For example, with the majority of heat pumps containing refrigerant, holding F-Gas capabilities automatically puts you in a great position, granting you access to the full range of heat pumps systems available. Not only this, but your existing knowledge and experience of air-conditioning systems can be applied to an understanding of heat pump technology, which can be boosted and advanced with the correct level of high-quality training. It is evident that many ACR engineers already possess the qualifications, skills and basic understanding needed to make the transition from air-con systems to domestic heat pump technology straightforward. Perhaps the more prevalent question, therefore, is why? The growing demand for heat pumps o ers an exciting new opportunity to break into the domestic market, expanding your business’s commercial contracts with a new consumer audience. Becoming a competent heat pump installer not only The heat pump market is expected to grow in the race to become carbon neutral