Heat pump manufacturer and training provider Daikin UK’s inaugural Installer Confidence Monitor survey has revealed that three quarters (75 per cent) of the installers on its Sustainable Home Network expect their profits to increase in the year ahead – rising to 88 per cent of installers when looking ahead to the next five years.
Seven in 10 (72 per cent) see the Government’s sustainability commitments and targets – such as the forthcoming gas boiler ban and the drive to reach net zero by 2050 – as an opportunity for their business.
13 per cent are taking a slightly more cautious approach – recognising the opportunity but also acknowledging that potential threat if they don’t pivot to take advantage.
And that could explain why more than nine in ten (93 per cent) are investing time and money in heat pump installation training in the next 12 months, with half (50 per cent) upskilling to install hybrid heat pump systems. Just 17 per cent still plan to invest in their gas boiler installation capabilities.
On average, at present, those surveyed get 27 per cent of their business from installing heat pumps and hybrid heat pumps, and the expectation is that this will increase to 43 per cent over the next five years.
Iain Bevan, commercial manager, heating and renewables at Daikin UK, said: “It’s encouraging that Sustainable Home Network installers see the road to net zero as a positive – not just for the planet, but for their businesses, too.
“And with nine in ten (88 per cent) saying they’d be very likely to recommend a career as a renewable heating installer to family and friends, together, we can be the energy for change.
“We’re going to run this survey on a quarterly basis, to help us understand the challenges and opportunities facing our installer base, so we can continue to provide the products, services and resources they need to succeed.”
The Daikin Sustainable Home Network is free to join and offers heat pump installers a wide range of business-building benefits and expertise.
More than three quarters (77 per cent) of respondents to the recent Installer Confidence Monitor survey have benefited from the free training that’s available, with half saying the sales leads (52 per cent) and free technical support phoneline (50 per cent) from Daikin UK have also benefited their business.
A quarter have benefited from personalised marketing materials (27 per cent), branded van livery and workwear (25 per cent), and special offers on key products (25 per cent).