One of the most successful names in renewable heating in Ireland has launched its UK operation from impressive new premises in Exeter.
The local MP for East Devon, Simon Jupp was a visitor to the new Exeter headquarters of Unitherm Heating Systems to perform the official opening of their purpose-built training centre and was happy to share his enthusiasm for renewables and for air source heat pumps in particular: “It’s great to welcome another new company which offers exciting careers and job opportunities to the area. I’m looking forward to watching the company expand as the take-up of heat pumps increases across the South West. The training aspect of their operation is vital to ensure that we have enough qualified installers in Devon to keep up with demand and I wish them every success.”
Unitherm has already grown into a well-respected leader in renewable heating systems in Ireland where air source heat pumps have taken off in a big way, similar to their popularity in mainland Europe.
With the UK Government’s plans for renewable heating – a target to install 600,000 heat pumps by 2028 – the timing was right for Unitherm to move into the UK marketplace.
Unitherm offers a complete support package from quality training, design, commissioning to supply of renewable heating systems and underfloor heating (UFH). As the heat pump marketplace continues to grow, demand for quality training by installers will rise exponentially to meet the growing demand.
Heading up the new company is managing director Andy Hooper who has extensive experience of the UK heat pump marketplace from his time with Hitachi and LG: “These are exciting times for renewable heating in the UK and the opportunity to join Unitherm and take the lead in introducing a total package approach that is still new to this industry was too good to miss.
“We bring a level of expertise in system design and installation that is unrivalled in the UK and provide a high level of support once the installation is underway, including help with commissioning and the system to make sure it is operating at 100% of its efficiency potential from day one, that is virtually unheard of here.
“If we go at this half-cock and see poor quality installations, it will have an immediate impact on the faith people have placed in this technology. These are exceptional pieces of kit and having fully competent installers is vital so that heat pumps are installed correctly and give the right level of heating and hot water to the householder.
“It is our role to train people so they are 100% prepared and competent to install heat pumps properly.
“We have ideal premises for our first step into the UK marketplace, on Sowton Industrial Estate in Exeter. They provide impressive, modern offices, along with a sizeable warehouse and a purpose designed centre of training excellence on the first floor that will allow us to begin the process of training installers to take advantage of this huge heat pump revolution. We’re looking forward to welcoming the first group of installers in the next few weeks and plan to run two or three courses a month for the foreseeable future depending on demand.”
Unitherm currently supplies and designs full renewable heating systems to include heat pumps, UFH and radiators. Other associated products will be brought online over the coming months to add to the already extensive product portfolio.