Information for installers and contractors.

About the project 

Bristol Heat Pump Ready (BHPR) is a collaboration between Bristol City Council, Centre for Sustainable Energy and The Green Register.  The project aims to develop a UK wide approach to stimulate mass uptake of heat pumps and deliver on our national carbon targets, but with a local focus. The outputs will focus on high quality, confident installations that offer good value to the homeowner, with consideration to lifetime running costs. 

While initially focused upon the Westbury-on-Trym area of Bristol, the service model that we develop is intended to be fully replicable across the UK.  

Project partners 

• Innovative planning using digital twin technology to identify suitable homes and prepare electricity networks (Buro Happold and Bristol City Council) 

• Workforce training and community-building to develop confidence and competence (The Green Register) 
• Community engagement, supporting homeowners in decision-making towards decarbonising their homes (Centre for Sustainable Energy) 
• There is a £5,000 homeowner incentive grant payable directly to installers 

Key aims of the project 

• We will be targeting at least 25% of domestic buildings served by at least one single secondary sub-station  
• We are aiming to install up to 200 heat pumps 
• Expanding the local supply chain is an important part of our project aims and will be required to ensure that the target numbers of installations are reached 
• Installs are targeting efficiencies at SCOP 3+ 

What is the timeline of the project? 

With a primary outcome being the testing of the impact of high-density heat pump rollout on the local electricity network, there is a requirement of the project for multiple heat pumps to be installed in homes connected to the same substation. 

This means that, for a household linked to an individual substation to be eligible for funding and support through Bristol Heat Pump Ready, at least 1 in 4 of the other properties connected to that same substation must also progress to the stage at which they agree to having a heat pump installed at the same time.  

Timeline	Activity 1	Activity 2	Activity 3
June-Sept 2023	Information to homeowners and heat loss surveys booked	Supply chain formed and inductions underway	Supply chain ratecards agreed; SLAs signed
Sept-Nov 2023	Veritherm measured heat loss surveys are underway and information packs are produced	Installers produce system designs and estimates	Homeowners accept estimates and sign an agreement to go forward with the heat pump install
Jan-Nov 2024	Any necessary enabling works to properties take place, e.g., loft insulation	Heat pump installations take place	Commissioning, handover, service schedule

Supply chain hub 

A supply chain hub will be built to service Bristol Heat Pump Ready and any similar initiatives beyond the lifespan of the project. There will be an induction into the project methodology to enable a common understanding of expectations and processes. A community will be formed to encourage peer learning and support.  

Let’s set the bar high 

This project is setting high standards for the marketplace. If we can demonstrate that heat pumps can be installed smoothly, work efficiently and meet expectations for running costs, more homeowners will be keen to benefit from having a heat pump. These quality standards build confidence in the marketplace and allow the low carbon technology sector to grow. This pilot project is developing a methodology that, if successful, will be replicated elsewhere in the UK. The care we take now in supporting customers and supply chain members while designing and installing excellent low-carbon heating systems in homes with an appropriate building fabric standard will provide an example that others will follow. 

What’s in it for you? 

• Pipeline of work for 2024 
• Free to join the BHPR supply chain hub 
• Become a market leader in decarbonisation with sustainable modern technology 
• Verified leads  
• £5,000 homeowner incentive grant payable directly to installers upon satisfactory commission/handover 
• Grow your business and reputation 
• Make useful business connections through the hub 
• Benefit from additional training 
• Streamlined installs and reduced visits due to data-led surveys, cutting hours from each job 
• Proof of your competence through post-installation monitoring technology 
• Form part of a network which will generate leads for future initiatives around the city 
• Discounted kit from selected manufacturers 

Who will be in the supply chain hub? 

Essentially, we’re looking for a group of committed people who want to deliver an excellent job. That will comprise: 

• Experienced heat pump installers 
• Veritherm surveyors 
• Retrofit assessors/coordinators 
• General builders with retrofit expertise 

What are the competency requirements for inclusion in the hub? 

Installers:

• Work under MCS (own accreditation or umbrella scheme) 
• Provide performance figures (SCOPs) for heat pump system installations over past two years, if available.
• 2 x customer references  from heat pump system installations over the past two years  
• Ability to generate high quality designs, install to design and commission system along with monitoring equipment 
• Complete a project methodology induction session – see dates to book here
• Availability to complete system designs and estimates under business development (chargeable at installation stage) within the project timeframe 

General contractors:

Retrofit training (TGR Futureproof Essentials or similar) 

What are the aftercare requirements? 

As part of our wraparound customer care service, we will expect: 

• Customer training on their new heating system  
• Customer check following installation – through remote monitoring system and directly with customer for the first year after installation 
• Scheduled annual service 

See more details here.

What support will be available? 

• Project methodology induction – in-person and livestreamed: included within the scheme. See upcoming training dates here
• Futureproof Essentials – an online introduction to whole house retrofit: included within the scheme 
• Signposting to installer training (not available under the scheme) 
• Supply chain engagement events – a chance to get together and share knowledge within an informal setting 
• Join a Whatsapp group of local suppliers in the hub and benefit from information and support 

View and agree to Service Level Agreement.

Ready to join us and meet new clients? Register using this form.  Join the BHPR Supply Chain Hub Whatsapp community to get the latest on the project and share knowledge with your peers.

Any questions? Drop Becky or Charlotte a line.

Our partners