Building confidence, accessing reliable guidance, and overcoming technical hurdles are challenges heat pump installers face, particularly those transitioning from gas boiler installations. At Nesta, we’ve been exploring how generative AI tools like ChatGPT can help tackle these obstacles by addressing common barriers, such as the time spent browsing lengthy manuals or waiting for assistance, as well as the limited availability of colleagues or helplines for immediate support. By streamlining installers’ access to guidance, these tools can significantly boost their productivity and help them adapt more effectively to low-carbon technologies.

Generative AI uses existing data to create new content, such as text, images, or even technical advice. This emerging technology has the potential to revolutionise support for installers by providing quick, accurate responses to complex questions.

Over the past few months, we’ve partnered with Renbee – one of Nesta's ventures focused on simplifying the administrative process for renewable installers – to integrate an early version of our AI-powered installer chatbot onto their platform. 

This version has undergone user testing with installers, offering valuable feedback on functionality and usability. The feedback highlights its potential to save time and provide clear guidance while also reflecting areas for improvement, reminding us it remains a work in progress. 

Drawing from our user research findings and our publicly available code base, we’d love to see this work inspiring others in the industry to explore the power of this technology.

This early version is designed to respond to heat pump installation queries with clear, practical answers. Whether an installer is looking for step-by-step guidance, troubleshooting advice, or clarity on system configurations, Installer Pal provides real-time support. To improve accuracy, the chatbot connects to a comprehensive database of heat pump manuals and training materials.

Imagine you’re a newly trained heat pump installer on your first solo job with a Nibe F2040 heat pump. You encounter questions like:

• How should I calculate heat loss to satisfy MCS standards?
• What is the maximum flow temperature of the Nibe F2040 heat pump?
• How do you commission a Nibe F2040 heat pump?

Type your questions below to see how the chatbot responds. You can also follow up with requests like, “Explain in more detail” or “Can you provide the source for that?”

Watch a video of the chatbot in action.

• Installer Pal offers a promising way to support heat pump installers by providing quick access to technical guidance and industry standards. Users noted its potential to save time, such as instantly locating dimensions or technical guidance that typically requires lengthy searches.
• However, responses can be inconsistent, sometimes offering general advice rather than precise answers, which limits its usefulness in specific scenarios. Users expressed mixed confidence in its outputs, particularly for more complex calculations.
• Using Installer Pal could assist professionals in exploring ideas and confirming principles like you would do with a colleague. While it may not yet replace traditional methods, such as a helpline or colleague, it offers a valuable supplementary resource for heat pump installers, especially for those just entering the sector.

Our journey with Installer Pal has highlighted both the potential of generative AI in supporting heat pump installers and the areas where improvements are needed, such as providing more specific responses and improving transparency about information sources. Recognising this, we're exploring the best ways to proceed and are eager to gauge the sector's appetite for such technology. Engaging with industry professionals and gathering more insights will help us determine how tools like Installer Pal can be tailored to truly meet the needs of heat pump installers.

We invite installers, manufacturers, and other stakeholders to contact us to share their thoughts and experiences. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us understand the challenges and opportunities ahead. Together, we can explore how generative AI can empower installers in the transition to low-carbon technologies.

For those interested in exploring the technical details, you can access our codebase. Feel free to dive in and have a play with it!