SNIPEF, the Plumbing and Heating Federation, has joined forces with Warmur, a leading provider of heating and energy training, to deliver the industry-leading Hydronics Unlocked course in Scotland.

This partnership aims to equip plumbing and heating professionals with specialist expertise in low-temperature heating and hot water systems. The hands-on training will focus on providing engineers with the skills necessary to install and optimise modern, energy-efficient heating technologies, such as heat pumps.

Fiona Hodgson, Chief Executive of SNIPEF, emphasised the importance of specialist training for Scotland’s heating workforce, stating: “SNIPEF has always been committed to raising professional standards in the plumbing and heating profession by ensuring access to high-quality training. Our decision to partner with Warmur is based on its recognised expertise in delivering technical training to the highest standards. By introducing Hydronics Unlocked in Scotland, we are equipping our members, and the wider profession, with the specialist knowledge needed to adapt to modern heating technologies and maintain best practices in system design and installation.”


Hydronics Unlocked is a comprehensive training programme covering the design, installation, and optimisation of hydronic systems. The course provides in-depth knowledge of low-temperature heating design, enabling plumbing and heating professionals to improve system efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

Scott Sanford, SNIPEF’s Technical and Skills Manager, will lead the training in Scotland, ensuring it is tailored to the specific needs of the Scottish heating industry and supports participants in developing both practical and theoretical skills.

Jo Alsop, Co-founder of Warmur, commented on the launch in Scotland: “The move towards low-carbon heating solutions means engineers must be able to design and install hydronic systems that operate efficiently at lower temperatures. Hydronics Unlocked provides the practical and technical skills needed to ensure heating systems perform as intended, improving energy efficiency and system longevity. Through our partnership with SNIPEF, we are making this specialist training available in Scotland, ensuring professionals have access to the expertise required for the next generation of heating installations.”

The Hydronics Unlocked programme directly supports Scotland’s transition to low-carbon heat by providing engineers with the expertise to design, install, and balance hydronic heating systems for optimal efficiency, which is crucial for technologies like heat pumps and heat networks.

Scott Sanford highlighted the broader importance of upskilling the workforce: “Effective system design is essential not just for low-temperature heating and hot water systems, but also for traditional gas boiler systems to maximise efficiency and performance. Without the right technical expertise, these systems will fail to deliver the expected energy savings and comfort levels. Hydronics Unlocked ensures that heating professionals have the specialist knowledge to correctly design, install, balance, and optimise all hydronic systems, whether for boilers or low-temperature technologies. This reduces inefficiencies, lowers running costs, improves environmental impact, and future-proofs heating systems by making them heat pump ready.”