DAMON BLAKEMORE: YOU INSPIRE ESBE
2025-10-21
We're excited to share a new episode of our 'You Inspire ESBE' series, which celebrates individuals whose passion, expertise, and innovation are making a difference in the HVAC industry.
Damon is a seasoned professional in the UK heating and renewables sector, with over 16 years of hands-on experience. As a member of the Gas Safe Super Heroes and an ambassador for Sheffield, his commitment to sharing his expertise is unwavering.
Damon has also been named the 2025 Best Heating Installer in Yorkshire and was elected as the first-ever Installer Representative for the Heat Pump Association (HPA).
An Installer’s perspective on the future of heating
You've been in the industry for a long time. What motivates you to continue seeking out new knowledge and skills? And how do you prioritize which training and certifications are most valuable?
- I don’t really prioritize; I just highlight areas I need to improve on through self-assessment. It might also be that I see someone doing something and I don't understand it, so I take it upon myself to learn about it. For example, I recently identified that I could improve on the refrigeration side, so I'm booked in to do my F-gas in October. I also realized I could lag my pipework better, so I'm booked in for training with Armacell next year too. I think the drive for learning just comes from wanting to constantly improve and be the best version of myself.
Beyond formal training, what role do hands-on experience and problem-solving play in your continuous learning journey? Can you recall a specific challenge that taught you a significant lesson?
- For me, hands-on experience is the most valuable form of training - it's something money can’t buy. Especially when things go wrong, I feel I’ve gained so much invaluable knowledge and experience from mistakes I’ve made on jobs. Whether it’s a wrong sensor position or a wiring error, tracing your steps, going over things again, and finding out where you went wrong is a much better lesson than always doing things right.
You Inspire ESBE - Damon Blakemore
Knowledge sharing and giving back
It's clear that Damon is not just learning for himself but is also actively sharing his expertise. As a member of the Gas Safe Super Heroes and an ambassador for Sheffield, he is a big believer in open discussion and collaboration. His passion for knowledge sharing, Damon explains, comes from a desire to replicate the help he received himself. He recalls bothering people with annoying and simple questions, and in return, they gave him a lot of their time. For him, this is a way of giving back and repaying that debt. Having been where these guys are now, he knows the challenges and difficulties they face, and that a little bit of his time means the world to them by simply easing their stress.
Damon also believes strongly in bringing both the good and the bad to light. He questions how the industry can change its ways of working and thinking if people don't openly express their experiences. As he puts it, how can manufacturers and industry bodies know the issues if everyone stays silent? He explains that without documenting and openly talking about challenges, nothing will change, and the industry will not grow. While some may see this as complaining, Damon emphasizes that it is also crucial to talk about the good. In his new role as the Installer Representative for the Heat Pump Association (HPA), he sees an opportunity to give grassroots installers a voice. He wants to amplify the voice of the everyday installer and give them the confidence to speak up, knowing there is a body that truly supports them.
What do you believe are the most effective ways for experienced professionals to mentor and educate those who are just starting out or looking to expand their skills in renewables?
- This is a tough one. Now, I'd say many training courses out there are just 'bums on seats' courses, where the people delivering them are just concerned with how much money they can make. There's no one overseeing these courses to see if they deliver what they state. Are the engineers leaving these courses equipped to deliver quality work and confident in their future? The short answer is no.
Damon suggests an interesting concept for installer training: a peer-to-peer, on-site learning program.
- There are obviously a few obstacles to make sure this doesn’t get abused, but I think it would give the people who need the training a much better platform going forward. It would be like a short apprenticeship in installation and overcoming challenges on-site, because a big thing that gets missed is all the other bits of work required on-site: lifting floorboards, making good, knowing house layouts, water piping and regulations, etc. There’s so much you need to know rather than just about the heat pump.
Damon also highlights the existence of many high-quality courses that installers can take. He finds it bewildering that the government didn't provide funding to these companies and individuals to further promote and discount their courses. Instead, he feels the money went to courses that don't truly teach anything. He considers courses like the Heat Geek course, Kimbo Betty's Heating Academy course, and the new course by Mario Dodic to be vital for installers, arguing that they will take you further than anything else available. He also points out valuable free resources, such as Rob Berridge's Heating Consultant videos on YouTube.
Technical challenges and solutions
According to Damon, installers today face three significant technical challenges: accurate heat loss calculations, system hydraulics, and electrical demand. He advises against relying on "rule of thumb" numbers, instead urging professionals to account for factors like insulation and air changes. He also stresses the need to correctly size pipework and ensure pump settings are optimal for the homeowner, not just for the equipment manufacturer. On electrical demand, he notes that outdated diversity calculations make this a major challenge for many installers.
Damon also addresses common misconceptions he encounters among customers—the belief that homes need to be super-insulated or that heat pumps don't work in cold weather. To combat this, he calls for more positive government campaigns that unequivocally commit to a future with heat pumps and move away from gas heating. He believes that without this clear direction, public and industry reluctance will persist.
Given ESBE's focus on reliable and efficient hydronic components, how critical are factors like product longevity, ease of integration, and overall component quality in achieving optimal performance?
- These are highly critical. As an installer, the products I use must be of high quality and offer the best performance. Customers are spending a lot of money, so why wouldn’t you use the best product available to yourself? I’ve never understood the people who use an inferior product to make a little bit of extra money. In the long term, it’s either going to come back and cost you, or it will cost the customer, which in turn will make them question why you used it.
- Longevity is essential; you don’t want to be changing products after a couple of years. Integration should be simple, with easily read instructions. Technical support needs to be good, or you won't get returning customers. Component quality ties in with longevity, and performance is key. Again, why use a product that affects system performance?
Finally, what advice would you give to other companies looking to contribute more to the collective knowledge of the industry?
- Don’t be scared to speak up. Don’t be afraid of being wrong, and don’t be embarrassed that we don’t know everything. Learning is fun!
Totally agree! We've learned a lot from your thoughts and ideas, Damon. Thanks for a truly inspiring discussion!
Related links:
ESBE Group - YouTube instructionvideos >>