As the UK works towards its ambitious 2050 net-zero targets, recent news highlights the urgent need for more heat pumps and low-carbon heating solutions. The Climate Change Committee (CCC) has emphasised that installing heat pumps in 50% of homes by 2040 will be required in order to achieve this goal. The CCC’s latest report to government calls for a significant increase in the annual rate of heat pump installations, rising from 60,000 in 2023 to almost 450,000 by 2030- indicating that rapid action is needed to move away from fossil fuels to clean energy.

Heating in UK homes produces almost a fifth of the country’s carbon emissions. To meet the UK’s climate ambitions, the government aims to install 600,000 low-carbon heat pumps annually by 2028. However, the current rate of installation is far below this target, highlighting the need for increased efforts and investment in this area.

Yet progress here isn’t static; it is just slow. Statistics from the Heat Pump Association has shown that the number of heat pump sales are trending in the right direction, with almost 100,000 sales in 2024, up from 60,000 in 2023. Government-funded incentives have played a significant role in this uptick with government reporting that over 40,000 heat pump installations were completed last year as a result of these incentives. Moreover, the government has pledged a further £30 million towards its Boiler Upgrade Scheme which provides funding for families to get £7,500 off the cost of a heat pump.

The Importance of Competent Heat Loss Assessment

If the country is to accelerate the installation of heat pumps, then it is critically important that they are also sized correctly. An incorrectly sized heat pump could result in:

Reduced Efficiency: An oversized heat pump will cycle on and off frequently, known as short cycling, which reduces its efficiency and increases wear and tear.
Higher Energy Bills: Incorrectly sized heat pumps can lead to higher energy consumption, resulting in increased costs.
Comfort Issues: An undersized heat pump may struggle to maintain the desired temperature, while an oversized unit can cause uneven heating or cooling.
Noise Levels: Larger units tend to be louder, which can be disruptive

This is why robust assessments and proper calculations of heat loss in properties is needed to ensure that the right heat pumps are installed to meet the specific needs of each property.

Competency Required in Heat Loss Assessment

The building survey is a key element in the design of a heat pump system, and in 2024 Elmhurst engaged with The Energy Saving Trust and MCS to explore how competency could be developed, for individuals to support these surveys with accurate heat load calculations, delivered in accordance with the latest industry and MCS Standards.

Following this, Elmhurst has launched its own Heat Loss Assessor Competency Training and Scheme to help energy professionals and even installers contribute to this critical area and provide trust, responsibility and governance for the Heat Pump industry.

Elmhurst’s Head of Consultancy, Chris Ricketts, comments:

“Elmhurst Energy’s initiative comes at an important juncture, as the industry prepares to meet the UK’s ambitious heating upgrade and decarbonisation targets. Ensuring that professionals are equipped to assess properties and provide accurate heat loss calculations is essential for driving these changes.

Elmhurst’s new Heat Loss Assessor Training and Competency scheme will play a vital role in ensuring the right heat pumps are installed in the right homes. The calculations that competent Heat Loss Assessors provide, along with the hot water requirements, will be crucial for MCS certified installers who will be designing and installing the most appropriate heating systems for each property.

With the demand for Heat Pumps set to increase, installers are likely to have more time constraints when it comes to delivering heat loss calculations which can typically take around 1.5 hours to complete. Much of the information required for heat loss calculations, would already be collected by an Energy Assessor who possesses knowledge of building structure, element and measurement, making them well placed to complete these on behalf of installers and save them time when needed”.

Learn more about becoming a recognised Heat Loss Assessor

Elmhurst’s On Demand Heat Loss Assessor Training provides an outstanding opportunity to develop the expertise needed to accurately perform heat loss/heat load calculations for properties.

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