This is Daikin’s fifth Sustainable Home Centre launch in 2024, aided by the increasing adoption of renewable energy and heat pumps.

Launched by Bradfords, a family-run, independent builder’s merchant on 11 April, the new Daikin Sustainable Home Centre is located on Station Approach, Honiton. The Sustainable Home Centre was officially opened by local MP for Honiton and Tiverton, Richard Foord. 

Providing a hub for homeowners to learn about renewable heating and for its installers to bring their customers, the centre will also house a heat pump training facility, allowing heating installers to diversify into renewable heating solutions and ensure the long-term competitiveness of their businesses, as fossil fuel boilers are transitioned out. 

Trading director P&H at Bradfords, Luke Smith, stated: “Opening this new Sustainable Home Centre was a fantastic milestone for our business and the local community. It will become 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 renewable showroom that will support our focus to move away from fossil fuels 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. It was great to have our 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 now and in the future.”

Commercial manager – heating & renewables at Daikin UK, Iain Bevan added: “Heat pumps offer huge potential to reduce energy usage and bills in the home. Over a 15-year lifespan^[1], switching from a fossil fuel to an air source heat pump can save homeowners more than £3,000 when compared to a gas boiler, more than £6,000 compared with oil and more than £9,000 compared to LPG.”

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

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

Richard Foord, MP of Honiton and Tiverton commented: “I’ve been very impressed by the Daikin Sustainable Home Centre and really enjoyed getting to see some of the models that are on offer during my visit. There are a range of low carbon technologies available that can be tailored to fit the needs of both the home and the user. 

“As a heat pump owner myself, I know that this is a very efficient technology that does a great job of helping heat homes in a more sustainable way. I am keen to see more people trained to install and service heat pumps, as well as a growing number of apprentices working in this space. 

“I am really glad to see that Bradford's are working with Daikin to invest in low carbon heating and heat pump technology. Bradford's training facility will help upskill a whole new generation of heat pump installers and is something we all should welcome.”