UK Heating Coalition, Charities, and Policy Experts Unite in Joint Call for Mandatory Accreditation of Heat Pump Installers to Boost Consumer Confidence

The Heating Trades Network UK (HTNUK), National Energy Action (NEA), Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), and The MCS Foundation look to ensure quality and inspire consumer confidence in energy transition across the UK.

The Heating Trades Network UK (HTNUK), along with the National Energy Action (NEA), The MCS Foundation and the think tank Energy Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), are calling for the mandatory accreditation of all heat pump installers across the UK. 

With the adoption of heat pumps on the rise, the push for accreditation aims to establish clear, consistent standards for installation and ensure that consumers receive reliable and efficient service. 

Research by Which? Magazine found that nearly half of the households (45%) are unsure about the required qualifications for heat pump installers, while 55% struggle to trust the information provided by contractors.

A Citizens Advice report shows that consumers widely trust heat pump installers as reliable sources of information. However, installers often lack the tools and training needed to communicate the benefits of heat pumps effectively.

The organisations believe mandatory accreditation will be a crucial step towards filling this gap, and equipping installers to deliver accurate information and confidently address consumer concerns. It is an essential step in driving the UK’s energy transition, building consumer trust, and reassuring consumers about the quality and reliability of these alternative heating systems.

Louise Howlett, R A Brown Heating Services and HTNUK Member, said: 

"As heat pump installers, we work with people in their homes every day. The same problem comes up all the time: people feel uncertain when it comes to making choices for the future of energy in their homes. Well-informed, accredited installers can fix that if they are empowered to do so. Proper accreditation means people are getting unbiased advice that they and their neighbours can trust; it’s at the heart of consumer confidence and helping people make informed choices that will ultimately help their pocket."

Recent studies also indicated a growing knowledge gap among consumers about the qualifications of tradespeople who install heat pumps. In a recent poll conducted by HTNUK, two-thirds of Brits admitted to lacking the necessary information to make informed decisions about decarbonised home heating.

Maya Fitchett, Policy Analyst at National Energy Action (NEA) said: 

"National Energy Action supports consistent accreditation standards for installers to boost confidence in low-carbon heating technologies. It's vital that low-income and vulnerable households receive accurate advice on the suitability of installations and receive ongoing support to operate their systems efficiently. As heat pump installers increase rapidly, accreditation must be affordable yet firmly enforced to protect both installers and customers."

David Cowdrey, Acting Chief Executive of The MCS Foundation, said: 

“Heat pumps are the only viable solution for decarbonising home heating at scale. Giving consumers confidence in this technology is vital in scaling up heat pump installations to the Government’s target of 600,000 a year by 2028.

“Consumers need to have a clear understanding of what they can expect if they get a quote for a heat pump and if they go through with an installation. This requires a major national awareness campaign, and rollout of trusted advice services.

“As well as supporting the replacing of gas boilers with heat pumps, the Government should also be mandating MCS certified heat pumps for all new homes, so that these homes provide low bills and certainty for their owners.”

Jess Ralston, Head of Energy at ECIU, said:

“Every household that transitions from a gas or oil boiler to an electric heat pump is helping with our energy independence – oil and gas will increasingly come from abroad as the North Sea continues its inevitable decline, while heat pumps will increasingly run off British electricity from offshore wind farms.

Building up supply chains and investing in the nascent heat pump industry to create trust between manufacturers, installers, and customers is essential if we move at the pace required to get off gas and shield ourselves from a future crisis. Appropriately high standards are a key plank of this trust.”