Heat pumps are central to the UK’s plan to cut carbon from home heating, and installers who can design and fit them well are in short supply. Heat pump training is mainly aimed at people who already work in plumbing and heating: a Level 3 Award in air source heat pump installation typically takes 3 to 5 days, and discounts have been available for eligible engineers in England.
Installing a heat pump is not the same as swapping a boiler. Systems run at lower temperatures, so engineers need to understand heat loss calculations, radiator sizing and hot water cylinders, as well as refrigerant safety for some systems.
This guide covers the heat pump qualifications available, entry requirements, training discounts and the job opportunities that follow.
Who can take heat pump courses?
Most accredited courses expect you to hold or be working towards:
- a Level 2 or 3 plumbing and heating qualification, or equivalent experience;
- the Water Regulations qualification;
- an unvented hot water (G3) qualification, as most heat pump systems use unvented cylinders.
If you are new to the trade, the realistic route is a plumbing and heating apprenticeship or college course first, then heat pump specialisation.
Main courses and qualifications
Survey, installation, commissioning and servicing of air source systems.
Ground loops, boreholes and ground source system design.
Room-by-room heat loss, emitter sizing and flow temperatures.
Designing efficient radiators and underfloor heating.
Needed to handle refrigerant on split systems; not required for most monobloc units.
Courses are offered by training centres and manufacturers, with awarding bodies such as LCL Awards, BPEC and OFTEC.
Training discounts and grants
The government’s Heat Training Grant has offered eligible trainees up to £500 off accredited heat pump courses taken in England, usually applied as a discount by participating training providers.
Several manufacturers have added their own offers, such as extra free courses, cashback or support with first installations. Funding rounds change, so always check current availability before booking.
Job opportunities after training
| Employer type | Typical roles |
|---|---|
| Independent heating firms | Installer, service engineer |
| Energy suppliers | Heat pump installer, surveyor |
| Manufacturers | Technical support, commissioning engineer, trainer |
| Housing associations and councils | Retrofit and maintenance engineer |
| Self-employed | MCS-certified installer for Boiler Upgrade Scheme work |
From course to first installation
- Complete the accredited heat pump course.
- Shadow experienced installers on real jobs.
- Take a design course to master heat loss calculations.
- Work under an MCS-certified company, or gain your own certification.
- Keep learning – controls, tariffs and system optimisation develop quickly.
Grant information based on GOV.UK; course details reflect typical provider offerings.
Independent guide – not linked to any training centre or manufacturer.