Renewables Centre has teamed up with Nesta to launch the Start at Home scheme, giving newly trained heat pump installers the opportunity to install a heat pump in their own home for free.
Through the scheme, Renewables Centre will provide installers with a free heat pump, radiators, ancillaries, and free MCS designs and commissioning to help them carry out their first installation in a low-risk environment to help build their confidence.
Installers will also benefit from regular site visits by experienced engineers, providing live support and guidance throughout the installation.
Rory Sparkes, Head of Proposition at Renewables Centre, commented: “The Start at Home scheme is the latest addition to our proposition, offering installers all the tools to get started on their renewables journey.
“Studies show there is a lack of newly trained heat pump installers who go on to install during the first 12 months after their training. That may be due to a number of things, whether it’s having the confidence to start installing, or lacking an understanding of the systems.
“Giving installers the chance to install one in their home through this scheme will help address that by giving them hands-on experience of an installation, so they feel more confident to start installing heat pumps on a regular basis.”
Louis Stupple-Harris, Nesta’s Strategic Partnership Lead, commented: “Growing the heat pump installer workforce is a critical part of increasing take up of low carbon heating and cutting emissions from homes.
“Following the proven success of our pilot offering installers a heat pump for their home, along with training and support, we are now rolling this out across the country. We are excited to be working with Renewables Centre as they launch their Start at Home scheme to boost installers’ confidence and skills with low carbon heating technology.”
