RPS Group, a specialist contractor in low-carbon heating solutions, has partnered with Together Housing to strengthen renewable energy expertise across the housing association’s workforce.
RPS Group has donated and installed the latest energy-efficient heat pumps at Together Housing’s in-house training facility in Halifax.
The objective is to increase the capabilities of Together’s in-house engineering team, growing knowledge and understanding of heat pump technology, and support the organisation in meeting the growing demand for energy-efficient homes.
As part of the partnership, RPS Group installed three operational heat pump systems, using the same air-source and ground-source technologies currently being rolled out across Together Housing’s homes.
The new training bays include systems from leading manufacturers, including Kensa, Mitsubishi, and Panasonic, and will help both new recruits and experienced engineers to upskill, gaining hands-on expertise in the operation, servicing, and maintenance of heat pumps.
RPS Group has developed a close partnership with Together Housing, one of the largest housing associations in the North and Midlands. In 2022, RPS Group entered a four-year programme to retrofit 2,000 homes across Yorkshire – the largest single social housing renewable heat project at the time.
In addition to installing air-source and ground-source heat pumps, RPS Group has also retrofitted Together Housing homes with PV solar and battery storage, as well as improved insulation.
Sheridan Boyd, senior project coordinator at Together Housing, said: “The training centre provides us with many opportunities to upskill talented staff and with the addition of the heat pumps kindly donated from RPS Group, we can drive our Net Zero focus even further.
“The heat pump installations are playing a key role in supporting our technicians’ transition of their skills, enabling us to deliver hands-on training both in-house and through external providers, including the manufacturers themselves. It’s a great resource, and we’re all looking forward to seeing the team make full use of it.”
Graham Rothwell, founder and owner of RPS Group, said: “These new training facilities are a great way for technicians to sharpen their skills and get proper hands-on experience.
“Sharing knowledge is so important as we embrace new technologies and renewable energy solutions. It helps ensure that residents are getting the support they need and we’re proud to do our bit to help make that happen.
“Our aim is to help upskill Together’s team and give them the confidence and capability to maintain, optimise and troubleshoot systems in the future. We value the strong partnership we’ve built with the team at Together, and we hope there are more opportunities to collaborate further.”
