Domestic heat pump association launched

Electrical and energy trade body BEAMA has created the BEAMA Domestic Heat Pump Association.

Early initiatives by the association will include training of installers, sharing of market statistics, a heat pump specific guide for planners, calculation of the renewable content of heat pumps and incentive assessments.

The association will work alongside key players from the mainstream heating industry including Worcester Bosch, Dimplex, Baxi, Danfoss Heat Pumps, Vaillant, Stiebel Eltron, Zehnder UK and Myson. Its chairman is Chris Davis, head of renewables at Dimplex.

Kelly Butler, BEAMA’s marketing director said: “For a couple of years BEAMA has been active in this sector. We were invited by government to lead a Heat Pump Policy Forum; this shows the standing we have as the leading authority on domestic heating with heat pumps. The new association is a natural fit.“

The domestic heat pump sector is said to have vast potential - up 1.4-1.75 million units by 2020, largely coming from the four million homes with no gas supply. BEAMA claims that government has to help industry with capacity building, with 8000 installers required.

“BEAMA is well on the way to being the priority voice within Whitehall for domestic heat pumps,” said Butler. “We’re in ongoing discussions with further potential members and will continue to work with SummitSkills, EDF and other energy suppliers to grow the market to its full potential. Plus, government has welcomed the industry’s views and has asked for a detailed heat pump market development plan and a future meeting to progress proposed initiatives.”