Domestic heating renewables are set to provide growth opportunities for the HVAC industry in 2014, says Peter Verkempynck

Domestic renewables are a key area of growth, with the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) due to launch in Spring. Assuming the RHI launches as planned, it is expected to provide a serious boost for market conditions, delivering double digit market growth by stimulating demand from homeowners and social housing providers.

For installers who have invested in the skills and MCS accreditation to fulfil domestic heating projects, the renewables market provides a major opportunity to increase turnover. But this opportunity will come with much greater and substantially different expectations for after-servicing, for which installers should be fully prepared.

To take advantage of the major market opportunities for 2014, contractors and installers should study in detail the government legislation on carbon reduction and energy efficiency in buildings – and consider how intelligent HVAC solutions can satisfy customers’ need to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Low capital expenditure is no longer the best solution. Customers will benefit from investing in a better system, because they will enjoy improved cash-flow by making substantial savings on their energy bills. And satisfied customers are more likely to be retained, thus generating better margins for the industry.

Daikin UK aims to support its trade customers at every stage, by delivering expert specification support, a skilled technical helpdesk and rapid response times to orders, so that installers and contractors can capitalize on all market opportunities throughout 2014.

Peter Verkempynck is managing director of Daikin UK