How to Become a Heat Pump Installer
A heat pump installer is a technical engineer trained to properly connect and commission the low-carbon heating technology known as heat pumps. This technology is central to the UK government’s plan to reduce carbon emissions from home heating systems, with a goal of installing 600,000 heat pumps every year from 2028 named in the Net Zero 2050 commitments. Industry projections estimate that reaching this target will need more than 40,000 full time heat pump installers.
With estimates of only 11,000 qualified installers active in the industry today, there is a serious gap in the employment market. This represents a lucrative opportunity for those who pick up the slack.
Intergas Heating is a team of home heating experts, providing free heat pump training courses to help installers understand our air source heat pump (ASHP) systems and level up their skills.
Why Become a Heat Pump Installer?
The shortage of qualified heat pump installers means demand is high, which is a great opportunity for those with the relevant skills.
Gas and heating engineers who take up training could potentially increase their annual earnings by up to £7,000–£10,000 and enter a market of regular, reliable work. As of 2025, developers are required to install low-carbon heating systems in new-build homes, such as heat pumps, with new gas boilers being phased out completely by 2035. Almost every housing development in the next ten years will likely need air source heat pump installers, as these are the most market-ready and easily installed systems.
Homeowners are also looking to take advantage of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which funds part of the cost of heat pump installation. Because of these pressures, becoming a heat pump installer is a role with high job security and high projected earning potential:
| Job Level | Projected Salary Range |
| Apprentice | £10,000 – £15,000 |
| Newly qualified heat pump installer (under supervision) | £25,000 – £28,000 |
| Advanced heat pump installer | £28,000 – £34,000 |
| Manager or director | £40,000 – £65,000 |
Source: Green Careers Hub
Becoming a heat pump installer is a career path that could have a meaningful impact on your personal finances and makes a difference to the environment, too.
What Does a Heat Pump Installer Actually Do?
A heat pump installer oversees the process of installing and commissioning heat pump systems. This includes surveying the property or plans, calculating heat loss, assessing risk and suitability, installation, commissioning and explaining use and maintenance to the customer.
The role can also include applying for grant funding on behalf of customers, as this funding can only be requested by an MCS-certified installer. If you work for an installation company, this can be carried out by another team member.
Qualified heat pump technicians can also undertake servicing, repair and maintenance of ASHPs, provided they are aware of up-to-date manufacturer guidelines. Intergas Heating provides free training for any installer to become a registered Intergas heat pump installer, with hands-on experience of our systems.
Skills and Qualifications You Need to Become a Certified Heat Pump Installer
It is not possible to qualify as a heat pump installer straight from school – you need to have some other industry qualifications and skills first. Heat pump systems involve plumbing, hot water, central heating systems and electronics, so it is important that you have the basic skills mastered and experience in wet heating systems.
To become a heat pump installer, you will need to hold at least one of the following qualifications:
- An N/SVQ Level 2/3 in:
- Plumbing
- Heating and Ventilating (Domestic Installation or Industrial and Commercial Installation)
- Oil-Fired Technical Services
- Gas Installation and Maintenance
- A Gas safety certification, such as CCN1 OR a minimum of three years of experience installing wet central heating systems, which can be shown by manufacturer course certifications
It can also help to have additional valuable qualifications, such as:
- Water Regulations (WRAS)
- Unvented/G3 training on Hot Water Storage Systems
- F-Gas basics to cover refrigeration or air conditioning installation
The 3 Pathways To Becoming A Heat Pump Installer
1. Pathway 1 – Qualified Heating Engineers or Gas Engineers
If you already hold a heating or gas installation qualification and have experience working as a heating engineer, you can train to install heat pumps straight away.
- Enrol in an MCS-recognised, level 3 heat pump training course.
- Timelines can range from three to five days, depending on the provider schedule.
- Cost: approximately £500.
- Get additional training from the brands you’d like to work with, such as Intergas.
Because you are already working with plumbing, central heating systems and heat exchangers, there is a solid foundation of knowledge that will contextualise the learning. This training will immediately expand the pool of jobs that heating engineers can accept.
Heating engineers can access up to £500 of government funding for heat pump training, as well as a free, one-day air source heat pump course from Intergas.
2. Pathway 2 – Tradespeople Looking to Upskill
If you hold an NVQ or SVQ level 2 or 3 in plumbing or heating and ventilation, you can follow pathway 1. For example, an NVQ level 2 in Heating and Ventilation (Domestic Installations) will leave you prepared for the Level 3 Heat Pump course.
Electricians and general construction workers will need to either undertake a level 2 qualification or show a minimum three years’ experience of installing wet central heating systems before enrolling in a level 3 heat pump installation course as detailed above.
3. Pathway 3 – New Entrants and Career Changers
For those at the beginning of their career, an apprenticeship can open many doors. The Level 3 low-carbon heating technician apprenticeship is an all-through pathway to becoming a heat pump installer, technician or engineer, with other renewable heating systems included.
Candidates typically complete the apprenticeship in thirty-six months (three years), with assessment taking place over four months. Apprenticeships are typically at least 95% funded.
This is an excellent way to start a new career in low-carbon heating, with pay available during the training period.
Supplement Your Training with Intergas
Heating engineers at any stage in their career can attend Intergas training to master installations, build confidence with system recommendations or understand our hybrid heating systems more clearly.
- One-day courses
- Free to train
- Hands-on walkthroughs with the latest technology
Explore our free air source heat pump training courses.
FAQs About Becoming a Heat Pump Installer
How much does heat pump training cost?
Initial heat pump training can cost up to £500, particularly for the initial qualification.
Intergas offers free, one-day heat pump courses to support plumbers, heating specialists and engineers to gain new skills required to install our heat pump products. This hands-on course highlights the specific installation requirements of our Xceed heat pump and Xtend hybrid systems.
How much can a certified heat pump installer earn?
Qualified heat pump installers can earn up to £34,000 at the senior level. With high demand for installers, there are plenty of ways to qualify and open new doors in your career.
How long does a heat pump training course take?
The Level 3 Heat Pump Installation course is completed over 3 days, while the low-carbon heating apprenticeship takes three years to complete.
Additional heat pump training from Intergas can be completed in a single day, making it convenient to fit around work.
Are there any grants for heat pump training?
Yes, heating engineers can receive up to £500 discount on heat pump training on eligible courses. See the government funding page here.
What career progression can heat pump installers consider?
The UK heat pump market is growing rapidly, with rising targets for installations increasing demand for qualified installers. As teams grow, experienced heat pump installers can become lead installers and managers, train other engineers and apprentices and gain regular work from a quickly growing market.
With a growing industry, specialising and cross-training can help installers stay competitive. Consider additional training in solar thermal, ground source heat pumps, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) or hybrid heat pump systems training.
With training from our free, one-day training courses, engineers can also become Intergas ambassadors, earning commission from sales of Intergas heat pumps and hybrid boiler systems.
