New RCD Guidance published to support heat pump installers

The Heat Pump Association (HPA) has teamed up with electrical certification bodies NAPIT and NICEIC to produce comprehensive Guidance for Heat Pump Installers to assist in choosing the appropriate residual current device (RCD) for their projects.

In 2024, nearly 100,000 heat pumps were sold in the UK, up 63% from 2023, highlighting the rapid growth of heat pump integration in electrical installations.

The new Guidance focuses on domestic heat pump installations. It covers the RCD selection process, explains the different types of RCD on the market and their properties, and outlines the specific requirements and considerations to safely and robustly protect heat pump installations.  The user-friendly format covers a 4-step process, followed by frequently asked questions to help installers understand the various considerations. The guidance is intended to be informative for those with an interest in the subject and instructive for those with electrical competence.

This initiative underscores the HPA’s commitment to supporting heat pump installers. With heat pumps playing a pivotal role in the transition to net zero, maintaining these systems to a high standard is critical to ensuring their efficiency, performance, and reliability.

Charlotte Lee, Chief Executive at the Heat Pump Association said:

“The Heat Pump Association is dedicated to supporting installers and promoting high quality heat pump installations to improve the consumer experience. This new Guidance adds to the HPA’s ongoing efforts to support the sector as it scales up to meet increasing demand. It aims to simplify the RCD selection process and provide clear answers to common questions.”

Download the Guidance on Residual Current Device Selection for Heat Pumps here