Heat Pumps Today

Info Harriet Evans is Head of Renewables at Baxi. www.remeha.co.uk/products/heat-pumps www.baxi.co.uk/new-build/products/air-source-heat-pumps www.acrjournal.uk/heat-pumps 17 W O M E N I N T H E H E A T P U M P I N D U S T R Y The government has set an ambitious target of installing 600,000 heat pumps a year by 2028 to bring low-carbon heating to the mass market. Of course, it’s going to be a challenge, but we’re certainly up for it! We know it’s essential to ensure that people make the switch to heat pump technology so that, as a nation, we achieve our sustainability goals and slow climate change. One of the best ways to do this is to get contractors and installers to believe in heat pumps and understand the technology so that they can, in turn, educate end users. Heat pumps are a not a diƒcult technology, but you do need to think of them as part of a system rather than just a box. There’s plenty of scaremongering about systems not working e…ectively aimed at homeowners and estate managers. Comfort is all down to correct design and system application, so it’s vital that we educate installers properly and ensure that each installation is designed, commissioned and handed over correctly. Baxi has a huge network of in-house engineers to turn to should any system need further attention too, giving further peace of mind if required. What would you say to other women who are considering coming into the heat pump industry? I’d say, just do it! It was true for me over thirty years ago and it’s still true today. It’s a fantastic industry filled with some real characters and plenty of variety in terms of roles. For me, more recently, it’s become more of a personal goal too. I’ve chosen to focus on the heating sector as I want to help both installers and clients to make the switch and take responsibility for tackling the combined energy, climate and cost-of-living crises with more energy- eƒcient, renewable heat pump technology. If you are similarly environmentally conscious or climate-minded, you’ll find it hugely rewarding. Outside of work I like to keep busy in my free time since my two sons have flown the nest. I have a new furry baby, Eric, a terribly behaved Jack Russell who keeps me on my toes. I’m also a keen sailor and a slowly improving yogi! I love to keep my brain active too. During lockdown I completed my NLP Master Practitioner qualification. Part of this included studying an expert in order to learn a new skill. I re-taught myself how to do the front crawl properly (previously I was swimming like an old lady). To complete the challenge, I then swam the length of the English Channel in my local pool and raised over £1,200 for a local cancer charity.