New Daikin Sustainable Home Centre in Liverpool by MP Anneliese Midgley and Mayor of the Liverpool City region, Steve Rotheram

A cutting-edge Sustainable Home Centre from the UK’s leading heat pump manufacturer, Daikin, officially opened in Liverpool on Friday 17th January. The launch event celebrates the new addition and underlines the brand’s commitment to providing low-carbon heating solutions across the UK. The opening was attended by MP Anneliese Midgley and Mayor Steve Rotheram to mark its official opening.

This centre is the third collaborative effort between Daikin and James Hargreaves, the largest independent plumbers' merchant in the UK. It follows openings in Manchester and Burnley, with the aim of upskilling and training local installers in sustainable home heating technologies, with a focus on renewable energy. 

With the nation’s momentum shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy, these centres help to educate homeowners in the area on the benefits of sustainable, low-carbon, home heating, and support anyone considering the transition. The centres offer incentives to  local engineers via access to complimentary training courses, enhancing their skills and knowledge at no cost. Additionally, Daikin is offering installers 40% off their first heat pump purchased from the James Hargreaves centre.

The official launch event on 17th January was open to all, from homeowners to trade professionals, such as housebuilders, architects and heating installers. The event provided local engineers and installers with an opportunity to meet Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram and MP Anneliese Midgley and raise their concerns on issues faced by the sector, following recent government legislation surrounding heat pumps. 

The hub will serve local customers and installers alike, looking to expand their knowledge and learn about the innovative Daikin products available as we all transition to sustainable heating technologies.

Mayor Steve Rotheram and MP Anneliese Midgley attended the event to mark its official opening.

“The new Daikin Sustainable Home Centre is a fantastic addition to our city region — helping homeowners and installers alike to take practical steps toward more sustainable heating solutions. It’s a great example of how collaboration with industry leaders can support our ambitions for a net-zero future by 2035, creating opportunities, good jobs and driving progress.”

Low carbon features are increasingly seen as key features in a home. As part of its recent Modern Home Must Haves campaign, fronted by Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen, Daikin found that 81 per cent of respondents believe that environmentally friendly features such as a heat pump, an EV charging point and solar panels are now a modern more must have, rather than a nice to have. A whopping 81 percent wish their current home was more environmentally friendly but have no idea where to start to rectify it.

To address this issue, visitors to the Sustainable Home Centre were able to experience Daikin’s latest heat pump technology and meet experts in the field. The centre aims to empower installers to embrace renewable heating and to encourage installers to replace a boiler, older heat pump or any other heat source with the Daikin Altherma HHT to receive £500 cashback or credit with Daikin*.

Gary Beaumont, Sales Director at James Hargreaves stated: “As a business operating since 1923, we’ve seen many changes in the heating industry. We are passionate about upskilling our industry so our staff and customers have the knowledge and confidence to consider installing low carbon alternatives in their homes. We are thrilled to collaborate with Daikin to provide essential training facilities in Liverpool.”

 “The centre provides a space to develop opportunities in the market for renewable technologies. We are looking forward to seeing the first installers come through our door, complete their training, and leave with the skills and expertise needed to drive our industry’s transition to a greener bright future.”

Commercial Manager of Heating & Renewables at Daikin UK, Iain Bevan commented: “Heat pumps hold immense potential for slashing energy consumption and home bills. Over their 15-year lifespan, transitioning from a fossil fuel boiler to an air source heat pump could yield savings exceeding £3,000 compared to gas boilers, over £6,000 compared to oil, and surpassing £9,000 compared to LPG .

“Our studies reveal that a staggering 68% of homeowners are unaware of the significantly higher energy efficiency of heat pumps over gas boilers. While gas boilers operate at 70-90% efficiency, heat pumps soar between 300-400%. There’s an essential need to educate homeowners about heat pump technology, and our Sustainable Home Centres, like Climate Controls & Spares Ivybridge, offer the ideal platform for such endeavours.  

“Furthermore, with substantial funding accessible through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, now boosted to £7,500, homeowners have remarkable opportunity to undertake green energy efficiency enhancements.”  

To learn more about James Hargreaves, check out its website.

1. Based on an average-sized three-bedroom home with a demand of 12000 kWh.