A new heat pump showroom and training centre will open its doors in Honiton this Thursday, April 11.

The Daikin Sustainable Home Centre in Station Approach is being launched by Bradfords, a family-run, independent builder’s merchants, and will be officially opened by the Tiverton & Honiton MP Richard Foord.

Daikin said the centre will provide training facilities for heating engineers as the nation transitions from fossil fuels to renewable energy, and educate local residents about the benefits of sustainable, low carbon, home heating. This will be Daikin's fifth Sustainable Home Centre launch in 2024, as the transition to renewables and heat pumps accelerates the growth of its network.  

The official launch event will run from 8am until 3pm on Thursday, April 11 and is open to homeowners and trade professionals such as housebuilders, merchants and heating installers. 

Visitors will be able to meet experts from Bradfords and Daikin UK, and see presentations of Daikin products and its green industry installer training. 

Free tea and coffee will be on offer throughout the day with hot food also available.    

As well as providing a hub for homeowners to learn about renewable heating and for installers to bring their customers, the Daikin Sustainable Home Centre will house a heat pump training centre. This will help plumbing and heating installers diversify into renewable heating solutions and ensure the long-term competitiveness of their businesses, as fossil fuel boilers are phased out.   

Luke Smith, Trading Director P&H at Bradfords, said: “Opening this new Sustainable Home Centre is a fantastic milestone for our business and the local community. It will be a place for homeowners, developers and installers to familiarise themselves with air-source heat pump technology and to speak to an expert to discuss the most suitable heating and cooling solutions.

“This is our first renewables showroom that will support our focus to move away from fossil fuels, over to a more sustainable heating solution for all our customers. We’re also excited to be able to offer quality installer training on the latest Daikin air source technology.

"We are looking forward to seeing lots of friendly faces on the big day, and we are excited to have local MP, Richard Foord join us to celebrate this next step in our journey to help our community become more sustainable. 

“With our local expert advice in all areas of plumbing and heating, and Daikin’s market-leading product range, there will be something for everyone, both at the launch event and in the future.” 

Iain Bevan, Commercial Manager - Heating & Renewables at Daikin UK,  said: “Heat pumps have huge potential to reduce energy usage and bills in the home.

"Over its 15-year lifespan, switching from a fossil fuel boiler to an air source heat pump can save homeowners more than £3,000 when compared to a gas boiler, more than £6000 compared with oil and more than £9,000 compared to LPG." 

(These figures are based on an average-sized three-bedroom home with a demand of 12000 kWh.)

“Our research has uncovered that 68 per cent of homeowners are not aware that heat pumps are significantly more energy efficient than gas boilers. Gas boilers operate at 70-90 per cent efficiency compared to 300-400 per cent for heat pumps. It’s clear there’s work to do to educate homeowners on heat pump technology, and Sustainable Home Centres like Bradfords are the perfect place to do it. 

“With extensive funding available through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which has been boosted to £7,500, now is a fantastic time for homeowners to make green energy efficiency improvements.”

To register attendance at the launch event, email shc.honiton@bradfords.co.uk and to learn more about Bradfords, visit its website.