We’ve created a Heat Pump Installer Toolkit and Insulation Toolkit to help you get started on your upskilling journey. You can find information on college courses, funding, installation considerations and the latest government legislation.
Location notice
Please note that this page contains information and links most relevant for people living in Scotland.
Support hub for small businesses across Scotland working on energy efficiency, heating systems and micro generation. Here you will find research, case studies and online tools to help your business.
Installer toolkits
Installer guidance: Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan
We have developed installer-specific guidance to help those working with customers using the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan. This includes key information on scheme processes and required documentation.
There are also applicant-focused guidance packs covering the referral and claim stages. These are clear, easy-to-follow resources designed to help applicants use the scheme confidently.
Important notes
- Use the links
Please share the links provided above rather than downloading the guidance. This means customers always receive the most up-to-date version and helps avoid confusion or delays. - Ownership and impartiality
These documents are owned by the Scottish Government and/or Energy Saving Trust. Sharing them does not imply endorsement or partnership with any installer. It’s essential that communications remain impartial and do not suggest involvement in the scheme’s administration.
Renewables Installer Finder
If you are a MCS certified installer, you can access Home Energy Scotland Grant and/or Loan work streams for renewables systems and register for free on the Renewables Installer Finder. This tool is an easy way to promote your company for free and reach new customers.
Online tools - procurement
Other resources also available to help you with bidding for public sector tenders in Scotland include the Supplier Development Programme (SDP) and The Supplier Journey.
SDP is a partnership of local authorities designed to help businesses with little or no experience in tendering. They deliver this support through a programme of free training and events.
The Supplier Journey is a Scottish Government website which provides guidance on how to bid for public sector contracts using a step-by-step format.
Local Homes Portal
Local Homes Portal is a tool developed with the support and funding of the Scottish Government and the European Commission as part of the Request2Action (R2A) project. The tool was designed to help suppliers (and other groups) understand the energy efficiency and renewables market in Scotland.
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Adele Ferguson: Building confidence and a career in plumbing and heating
Adele Ferguson is building a career in plumbing and heating after deciding to change direction and pursue a hands‑on apprenticeship. Here she talks about combining college and site work, developing her skills and why better representation matters in the industry.
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Border Insulation: delivering high-quality insulation across Scotland
Border Insulation is a growing Scottish business providing high‑quality domestic insulation and energy advice across the Borders and beyond. Here they talk about why insulation matters, the challenges around training and TrustMark registration, and the opportunities they see as the sector grows.
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Plumbing and Renewables Ltd: growing a low-carbon installation business in rural Scotland
Plumbing and Renewables Ltd has grown from a traditional heating business into a renewables specialist. By focusing on clean technologies and upskilling its team, the company is helping drive Scotland’s low-carbon future.
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The Renewable Technology Collective: championing clean heat technology
As Scotland works towards net zero by 2045, switching to low-carbon heating is more important than ever. We spoke to Peter Emmerson, founder of the Renewable Technology Collective, about how his growing business is helping drive the transition through expert heat pump installations across the northeast.
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Aberdeen Air Source Heating Ltd: adapting to the increasing demand for heat pump installations
Robert Devine and George Keith of Aberdeen Air Source Heating Ltd share the story of their journey into the renewable energy sector. Here they talk about the reasons behind transitioning from installing gas boilers to heat pumps.
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RGM Heating Ltd: becoming a TrustMark-registered business
Graeme Robertson, Director of RGM Heating Ltd shares why he became TrustMark-registered. He also discusses his experiences of the process and the benefits TrustMark has brought to the business.
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Insulation Installers Scotland: achieving TrustMark registration and PAS 2030 accreditation
Accreditation can open doors for insulation businesses. We spoke to Calum Farquhar of Insulation Installers Scotland about the journey to gaining TrustMark registration and PAS 2030 certification—and how it’s helping the company grow, build trust, and deliver high-quality work across Scotland.
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BRB Ltd: championing low carbon heating technologies
BRB Ltd began their business transition towards zero-carbon heating technologies 17 years ago. We spoke to operations manager John Connolly about the business’ experiences.
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Union Technical: embracing the growing demand for green heat technology
Green heat installers are experiencing an increasing demand for alternative heating solutions to gas and oil.
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Acer Mechanical Services Ltd: MCS heat pump certification
There are many reasons why heating installers are seeing a rise in demand for heat pump installations. Read on to see why Jonathan Daly decided to diversify his business, Acer Mechanical Services Ltd, into heat pumps and apply for the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).
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Blair Plumbing & Heating Solutions Ltd
Businesses are looking to upskill their staff and diversify their services with renewable technologies such as heat pumps.
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Precise Installs: adapting to growing heat pump installation demand
Scott Murphy and William Walker at Precise Installs share why and how they diversified their business by recruiting more staff and increasing their online presence so that they could meet the increased demand for heat pumps.
Green heat installer events
We organise networking events, webinars, workshops and information sessions. All free of charge to attend. Find out more about our upcoming sessions, as well as past events.
Skills, funding and certification
If you’re an installer or an assessor working in the domestic or non-domestic sectors, getting the correct certifications can open doors for your business.
Both the UK and Scottish governments run schemes making money available to both households and businesses to make energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements to their property and premises.
Research
A selection of research papers covering skills gap and training needs, energy efficiency and low carbon market, changes to the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme, as well as feedback on industry workshops carried out in Scotland.
Pathways to engagement with low carbon heat: an industry perspective
In March 2021, we partnered with SNIPEF and CSIC to commission a report to explore the different routes to engaging in low…
Heat Network Skills Initiative 2021
Completed in March 2021, this subsequent report provides an in-depth analysis of the approach and methodology in developing the courses, in addition…
Heat network skills in Scotland 2020
In 2019 we commissioned a research project to determine the skill gaps and training needs of the Heat Network supply chain in…
Energy Saving Trust is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (716195) and delivers the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan mentioned on this page via Home Energy Scotland on behalf of Scottish Government. Loans are subject to eligibility and terms and conditions.