As the UK heating market accelerates towards low-carbon technologies, many electrical and renewable specialists are taking their first steps into air source heat pumps (ASHPs).
Warwickshire-based KS Connexions has more than 10 years’ experience installing PV systems, and has evolved over the past decade into a renewables-focused business, specialising in solar PV and battery storage.
“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. Heat pumps and PV go hand in hand.”
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 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.
“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 also extends to customer conversations.“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.
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 fine. Quality matters more.”
Why Baxi and why pre-plumbed?
After an initial HP40 installation, KS Connexions made the decision to standardise on the Baxi HP60 with pre-plumbed cylinders for subsequent projects.
“The HP60 gives us higher flow temperatures, which is really useful across different property types,” says Stin.“And the pre-plumbed cylinder just makes life easier, from both a plumbing and electrical perspective.”
Technical support also played a key role in early installations, with the Baxi team providing on-site guidance, wiring schematics and reassurance when needed. “It’s one thing learning in a training room,” Stin notes.“But real-world support makes all the difference.”
For installers considering a similar journey, Stin’s advice is straightforward: invest in training, get heat loss right, and don’t oversell the technology.
“Heat pumps aren’t a silver bullet, but where they’re right, they work brilliantly. And when you’ve got the right manufacturer support behind you, that journey becomes a lot easier.”
www.baxi.co.uk/professional