Electrifying heat

Government policy, funding and planning reform are driving rapid heat pump growth, creating new opportunities for electrical contractors ready to expand, says Neil Sawers, Commercial Technical Manager at Grant UK.

The interest in heat pumps from electrical contractors is on the rise. With the Government’s Warm Homes Plan (WHP) now in place, heat pumps are firmly positioned at the centre of the UK’s heating strategy. It presents a real opportunity for electrical contractors ready to expand what they offer customers.

Launched in January 2026, the Warm Homes Plan commits £15 billion over this Parliament to upgrading up to five million homes. Clean heating is at the heart of the policy, with a target of more than 450,000 heat pump installations per year by 2030. 

Legislation driving demand

The Warm Homes Plan builds on existing incentives like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) which has been available since 2022 and offers homeowners and small business property owners in England grants of up to £7,500 towards the supply and installation of low-carbon heating systems. Similar funding is available in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland through region-specific schemes.

Since its launch, more than 100,000 BUS applications have been submitted, the majority for air source heat pumps (ASHPs). The UK was also the fastest growing heat pump market in Europe in 2024 with a 40% increase in BUS-supported installations year on year to November and growth continuing into 2025. 

Alongside funding, planning changes are making it easier for installations to go ahead. Updates to permitted development rights in England now allow ASHPs to be installed closer to property boundaries. Larger units and up to two heat pumps on detached properties can also be installed without planning permission in most instances. The intention is clear: remove barriers, increase uptake and make low-carbon heating the default choice.

For electrical contractors, this policy direction provides confidence that heat pumps are not a short-term spike but are embedded in long-term Government strategy.

New revenue streams

Every heat pump installation relies on a solid electrical infrastructure. Heat pumps are frequently installed alongside solar PV, battery storage or smart energy management systems. Electrical contractors who understand how these technologies interact are well placed to become trusted partners in whole-home electrification projects.

Wilts Electrical Contracting (WEC) is one company that shows how diversification can take place. Originally focused on domestic, commercial and agricultural electrical installations, the Wiltshire-based firm expanded into renewables as demand grew.

They became MCS/NAPIT approved installers for solar PV in 2010, but recognising the rise of ASHPs, decided to invest in additional skills and accreditation to enter the plumbing market. Director Darren Axford trained to become a heating and plumbing engineer and, by 2014, WEC had become approved installers for ASHP systems under MCS/NAPIT. Continued training along with growing the team was a company aim. They invested in apprenticeships and WEC staff took the Grant Aerona ASHP installer course, becoming approved Grant G1 Installers, boosting their technical know-how and providing their customers with extended product warranties and strong after-sales support.

For electrical contractors, this is not about becoming heating engineers overnight; rather, with the right training, partnerships and support, renewables can open up new revenue streams. 

Training and technical confidence

As the market matures, in-depth knowledge becomes a differentiator and manufacturers are responding to this demand with more structured support. Grant UK, for example, offers dedicated training and product courses covering ASHP system integration, installation requirements and performance considerations. 

Its training facilities in Swindon and at centres throughout England, Scotland and Wales provide installer-focused courses to build practical competence. The Grant Aerona 290 Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP) Course, for example, covers the Grant Aerona 290 heat pump including construction, principles of operation, electrical wiring, controller settings, installation and commissioning the complete system.

Online ASHP training is also available via the Grant eLearning Academy which offers on-demand courses that let candidates work through the content at a time and place that suits them. 

The norm rather than the exception

Consumer satisfaction levels with heat pumps installed under the BUS are reported at between 90 and 95%. In colder European climates such as Norway, Sweden and Finland, heat pumps are already mainstream, with almost half of households using them. The UK is following that trajectory.

As existing fossil fuel systems reach end of life and building standards tighten, low-carbon heating will increasingly become the norm rather than the exception. For electrical contractors, this change is both a challenge and an opportunity. Those who engage now, build technical understanding and align with reputable manufacturers will be well placed to support the electrification of heat at scale. 

Heat pumps are no longer on the sidelines of the industry. With policy, funding and market demand aligned, they are moving into the mainstream and the electricians who recognise that early can position themselves at the centre of the transition.

grantuk.com/professional

This article appeared in Electrotechnical News March/April 2026 edition – read it here