The installer who revolutionised heat pump installation
According to Hungarian biochemist Albert Szent-Gyorgi, "The art of invention is seeing something everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has." That was precisely installer Mike Wyeth’s approach to the already challenging task of moving a heat pump became all but impossible.
For many installers, the logistical challenge of manoeuvring heavy and awkwardly balanced heat pumps has long been an unspoken struggle. But Mike, faced with an injury that further exacerbated this problem and caused him to question his choice of career, came up with an ingenious solution that simplifies the process, positively impacting the heat pump roll out.
From problem to innovation
When Mike, an installer, transitioned from gas and water systems to renewables, he quickly encountered an unexpected challenge: that of moving heat pumps safely and efficiently.
"These units are horrendously unbalanced," explains Kevin Wyeth, Mike’s father, who has been instrumental in bringing Mike’s solution to market. "Eighty to ninety percent of the weight is at one end, making them incredibly difficult to handle."
With Mike’s colleagues having chosen not to join him on his journey into the world of renewable installations, Mike mainly worked alone so, after sustaining a back injury, he had two options: find a way to move these units safely or give up on installations entirely. As is so often the case, necessity became the mother of invention, and the Heat Pump Mover was born – a simple but highly effective solution that is already making a significant contribution to the installer community. Initially crafted from timber and wheels, the early prototype solved Mike’s immediate problem, allowing him to continue his heat pump installation work.
From workshop to market
As other installers saw Mike using his ingenious solution, they began asking where they could get one. Encouraged by the apparent demand, he refined the design and began producing the mover in his workshop.
"When it became clear that this was something the industry desperately needed, Mike established a new business, Light Work Designs, to manufacture the product on a larger scale," Kevin explains.
With a background in engineering and sales, Kevin joined the project as Sales and Marketing Director to optimise the design and prepare it for full-scale production. "We deliberately over-engineered it to ensure safety and durability,” he shares. “The first batch of 100 units sold out quickly, confirming the need for such a product."
An industry game-changer
The Heat Pump Mover was officially introduced to the market at last year’s Installer Show, where it received an overwhelmingly positive response. "People were walking up to the stand from across the hall, saying, ‘I want one now,’ before we even pitched it to them," Kevin recalls.
Its impact has been immediate and significant. Without a proper handling solution, installing heat pumps often requires multiple workers, adding time and cost to each job. With the Heat Pump Mover, a single installer can now position and manoeuvre a unit safely and efficiently making it a very appealing solution as Kevin confirms: "Octopus Energy, for example, rolled it out nationally after their teams couldn’t believe how much easier it made their work."
Enabling installers to expand the market
Beyond efficiency, the Heat Pump Mover is also opening opportunities for a wider range of professionals to enter the field. "Unless you're exceptionally strong, moving a heat pump is a serious obstacle. This has been a barrier preventing many potential installers from joining the industry," Kevin points out.
The success of the product in the UK has also led to growing interest from European markets. "We’ve just ordered another thousand units, and our focus now is on finding distributors in Europe. The demand is there; it’s about making it as accessible as possible."
The future of heat pump installations
With manufacturers like Mitsubishi, Vaillant, Daikin and Worcester Bosch already recognising the product’s value, and training organisations incorporating it into health and safety protocols, the Heat Pump Mover is rapidly becoming an industry staple. "We know it works, and we know it’s needed. The next step is getting it into the hands of as many installers as possible," Kevin concludes.
For an industry looking to accelerate heat pump installs and maximise the efficiency of the installer base, innovations like the Heat Pump Mover aren’t just helpful – they’re essential.
What do other installers think?
It’s not just the installer who designed it who is finding the Heat Pump Mover a game-changer. Professionals from across the industry are seeing the difference:
"Total no brainer for all heat pump pro installers and companies 👍" – Dave Smith, Primary Pro.
"The Heat Pump Mover made it so much easier for us. We definitely wish we had one when installing our first-ever air source unit!" – Patrick O'Sullivan, Smart Gas.
"Heat pump movers don’t make the world go round, but they certainly help the heat pumps go round – well, into position without the need for multiple people on site. Safer and more professional indeed." – Stuart Winyard, Evolve Renewables.
“I'm impressed. Having uses all sorts of dollys and trolleys over the years it's the axels and bearing that usually let the side down but these do look like properly engineered parts. Heavy, solid, sturdy, mechanical parts...the accessories look good, shackles and webbing that hold the heat pump on the mover. All in all, a very good piece of kit.” – Paul Spence.
"In my 30-odd years in trades, I’d say this little bit of kit is up there with the impact driver. Great job." – Simon Smith, SA Energy.
"Such a great idea, one of my installer partners took 2 hours to drag a heat pump from the van to its plinth this week. If he had one on site, he would have been done and dusted in 5 minutes." – Graham Hendra
“Loving the Heat Pump Mover. It really does make light work of moving heat pumps.” – Martin Perrin
“The Lite Work Designs heat pump mover making my life so much easier once again! They're really worth investing in.” – James Tomlinson, Aquatherma Renewables.