The importance of quality installation

We need to accelerate momentum and demand for heat pumps to reduce our reliance on imported fossil fuels and achieve our net-zero targets, says Martin Passingham, product and training manager at Daikin UK.

Putting government targets aside for a moment, it’s vital that homeowners have a good experience during the installation process, and confidence in their heat pump solution in the weeks, months and years that follow. Early adopters who opt for a heat pump in the short term will effectively become ambassadors for the technology and can encourage others to make the move as well.

For installers, ensuring that the installation is carried out to a high standard will reduce the need for follow-up visits to resolve issues, increasing word-of-mouth recommendations and maximising the time available to take on more new jobs.

What a successful install looks like

Heat pumps are very different from gas-powered heating systems. But as long as you know what to look out for, there’s no reason why you can’t future-proof your businesses by entering the world of renewables.

There are five key considerations when fitting an air source heat pump.

Outdoor unit minimum clearances: It’s important to get the location of the outdoor unit right. If there’s not enough space for air to flow across the heat exchanger, the system’s capacity and efficiency throughout its lifetime can be compromised.

Hydraulic connections: Setting up the hydraulic components properly is critical to ensure the optimum flow rate in the system, so that it can effectively and consistently meet the household’s heating and hot water needs.

The use of automatic bypass values helps to maintain a constant minimum flow rate, and hydraulic separators are recommended in larger properties with multiple zones to service, or where there is a combination of solutions with different flow rates, such as radiators and underfloor heating.

Directing the heating load: Three-way valves are key to ensuring the energy transfer from the heat pump is directed to either the heating system or the hot water cylinder, depending on where the heating load is needed. Misaligned valves are one of the most common issues – but it’s really easy to avoid.

Prevent the system from freezing: Glycol is widely used to protect water circuits from freezing but anti-freeze vales (AFVs) are an effective alternative. AFVs mean you don’t need to handle glycol and the associated loss of system efficiency. They are preassembled and calibrated to drain water from the system when the water temperature reaches 3°±1°C – a condition that should only occur during a power or pump failure. This system draining prevents freezing and the risk of subsequent mechanical damage. If the AFVs have been activated, all that’s required is a simple refilling after the power/ pump failure has been rectified. Two AFVs are recommended at the lowest points on the outside flow and return water pipes.

A thorough handover: The handover process at the end of the install is key to getting homeowners off on the right foot. Take time to go through the user manuals and controls with your customer to help them get the very best out of their new heat pump system from day one.

Developing skills earlier

While upskilling heating installers on heat pumps is crucial, there is a huge opportunity at college level that is currently being missed as heating and plumbing courses focus only on gas – but not for long.

Daikin UK is working with partners to develop a renewables bolt-on. This enables students to get to grips with renewable systems, not just gas. This new element will help the next generation get up to speed on renewables and heat pumps from the start of their career.

Too good to miss

Increasing the number of heat pumps installed means we can reduce our reliance on imported fossil fuels, lower energy bills and improve our energy security. It’s a tried-and-tested technology that is already being rolled out.

Those who are first to make the move to eco-heating can enjoy a competitive advantage while others catch up – as long as they can advise homeowners on the optimum solution for their homes. ■

The importance of training

As well as a solid grounding in heat pump theory and best practice, product-specific training helps you to get every install right first time.

Daikin provides a three-level course format on its Altherma air source heat pumps – including monobloc, low-temperature, high-temperature and hybrid.

The first-level Standard Installation course covers the most important elements of the installation and is ideal for anyone who’s only involved in installations. The second-level Advanced Installation and Commissioning course is on the skills required for effective trouble-shooting. This is ideal for those who are involved in a number of different types of installation.

The third-level Service and Fault Finding course is for all types of servicing tasks and it is suitable for experienced installers. It’s important to note that advanced heat pump maintenance and fault finding requires an F-Gas qualification, for the safe handling of refrigerants as well as hydraulics.

Training is online via live streaming modules, and as full-day courses at Daikin’s training centres in Woking, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow or at a partner Sustainable Homes Centre.

Daikin says it has the capacity to train more than 7,000 installers on air source heat pumps and wants to upskill around 30 per cent of all installers in the industry.