From Calculation to Commissioning: An Installer’s Heat Pump Journey
As the UK heating market accelerates towards low carbon technologies, many electrical and renewables specialists are taking their first steps into air source heat pumps (ASHPs). For Warwickshire-based KS Connexions, that transition has been shaped by experience, careful planning and a strong focus on getting it right first time.
Founded with roots firmly in electrical contracting, KS Connexions has evolved over the past decade into a renewables focused business, specialising in solar PV and battery storage. With more than 10 years’ experience installing PV systems, the business made a clear strategic decision over six years ago to move away from general electrical work and focus solely on renewable technologies.
“Solar and battery storage were already a big part of our world,” explains Director Stin Sidhu. “When we started looking at air source heat pumps, it just made sense. From our perspective, heat pumps and PV go hand in hand.”
A collaborative route into heat pumps
KS Connexions’ move into heat pumps began through collaboration. A long standing professional relationship with heating engineer Ian Malcolm of Ringgas proved pivotal. Ian had already been working with Baxi and was keen to install ASHPs but wanted support around certification and compliance.
That partnership led KS Connexions into formal training and ultimately into live installations.
“We were very conscious that this was new territory for us,” says Stin. “So, we took our time, invested in training and made sure we had the right partners around us.”
Local support, strong technical backup and a reputation for reliability were key factors in KS Connexions choosing to work with another Warwickshire-based business in Baxi.
“Support is everything,” Stin explains. “You only really judge a manufacturer when something doesn’t go perfectly. Having someone you can call, who really knows the product, is critical.”
Building confidence through experience
Since completing their first installation, KS Connexions has completed six to seven ASHP projects, ranging from small two bed bungalows to large five bed detached homes and full renovations.
The team has installed systems from 6kW right up to larger 13kW three phase units, all specified following detailed heat loss calculations. KS Connexions uses Heat Punk software for heat loss assessments, following dedicated training and one to one support to build internal confidence.
“If you get the heat loss survey wrong, everything else falls apart,” says Stin. “I’d say I’m more nervous about the heat loss calculation than the installation itself. An installation can be fixed. A badly sized heat pump causes problems forever.”
That cautious approach extends to customer conversations too. “If heat pumps aren’t right for a property, we’ll say so. They’re not for everyone, but for the homes where they do work, the results have been excellent.”
Planning before fitting
One recurring theme in KS Connexions’ journey has been the importance of planning. From choosing the right location for the outdoor unit, to ensuring cylinders can be safely installed, even in loft spaces, the team prioritises preparation over speed.
“We don’t rush installs,” Stin explains. “If everything is planned properly, a heat pump and cylinder can be installed in a couple of days. But sometimes it takes three or four days, and that’s perfectly fine. Quality matters more than speed.”
Experience gained from handling PV panels and large battery systems has translated well into heat pump installations. Site access, lifting, storage and coordination with builders or homeowners are all considered well ahead of installation day.
