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Heat pump engineer

Alternative titles for this job include Heat pump installer, heat pump technician, low carbon heating technician

Heat pump engineers install and service zero carbon central heating and hot water systems in buildings.

Average salary (a year)

£24,000 Starter

to

£46,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

35 to 43 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends as customers demand

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Heat pump engineer

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

College

You could take a college course in a related subject like plumbing and heating, or a T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction.

These courses teach you some of the skills you'll need to apply for a trainee plumber, heating and ventilation engineer, or gas service technician position within a company.

To become a heat pump engineer, you'd then need to do an additional 3 to 5 day course.

This could be a course in:

  • low temperature heating and hot water systems
  • heat pump foundation
  • individual heat pump technology

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could do the Low Carbon Heating Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship to become a heat pump engineer.

This will take around 3 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could train as a gas service technician, heating and ventilation engineer or plumber. You could then do additional training in heat pump installation to become a heat pump engineer. 

This could be a course in:

  • low temperature heating and hot water systems
  • heat pump foundation
  • individual heat pump technology

Lots of organisations offer training in heat pump installation. You can search for heat training providers in your local region.

More Information

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Heat Pump Association (HPA) for professional development opportunities.

Further information

You can get more advice on heat pump careers and training from the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE). 

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • knowledge of building and construction
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • design skills and knowledge
  • knowledge of maths
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • customer service skills
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a heat pump engineer, you could:

  • install, service and repair low carbon heating and hot water systems
  • find and fix faults
  • follow health and safety requirements
  • decommission heating and hot water systems
  • show customers how to use their new system

Green job

As a heat pump engineer, you'll help customers switch to more energy efficient heating. This can have a positive impact on the environment.

Find out more about green careers

Working environment

You could work at a client's business or at a client's home.

Your working environment may be cramped, at height and you'll travel often.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could move into supervisory and management roles, and be responsible for a team of engineers. 

You could also:

  • set up your own business
  • get involved in training apprentices
  • progress to teaching in a further education college

Find out more about teaching in further education.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Low Carbon Heating Technician Apprentice

  • Wage: £12,480 a year Annually
  • Location: Charlotte Street Business Centre, No 1 St Hildas Street, South Shields

Low Carbon Apprentice

  • Wage: Competitive Annually
  • Location: Garsmouth Way,, Watford,
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

BPEC Level 3 Award in Air Source Heat Pump Systems

  • Provider: ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE
  • Start date: 20 January 2025
  • Location: Abingdon

Diploma in Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Systems

  • Provider: UNITED COLLEGES GROUP
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: London
Find courses near you

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