About Nesta

Nesta is a research and innovation foundation. We apply our deep expertise in applied methods to design, test and scale solutions to some of the biggest challenges of our time, working across the innovation lifecycle.

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Blowing hot and cold: how air-to-air heat pumps can be a year-round solution

In A sustainable future

25 Aug 2026 12:00 – 13:00

Online

Free

As UK summers grow hotter and extreme weather becomes more frequent, keeping our homes cool is fast becoming as important as keeping them warm. While air-to-water heat pumps and heat networks tend to dominate the conversation, air-to-air heat pumps offer a proven, versatile technology that delivers both clean heating in winter and efficient cooling in summer. Despite these benefits, air-to-air systems remain underused in the UK's shift to low-carbon heating.

Join us online on Tuesday 25 August from 12:00-13:00 (BST) as we present key findings from our research into air-to-air heat pumps and explore the practical opportunities and technical solutions they offer. By attending this event, you’ll:

Receive key findings on air-to-air heat pumps including customer demand, market growth and technical performance
Learn how air-to-air heat pumps can suit diverse UK housing types
Discover practical considerations around installation, consumer confidence and the role of air-to-air technology in policy and local planning.

Shaan Jindal, mission manager for Nesta’s sustainable future mission, will chair a panel of technical energy experts including Leah Robson, managing director at Your Energy Your Way and Hamid Salimi, product manager at Daikin UK.

This session is designed for policymakers, local authorities, planners, architects, housing providers, HVAC sector professionals and retrofitting specialists interested in accelerating the rollout of low-carbon heating and cooling solutions.

Shaan Jindal

He/Him

Shaan is a mission manager in the sustainable future team. Most recently, he led the team’s work on the Heat Pump Installer Survey, which investigated the challenges heating engineers face in increasing heat pump installations. Shaan has also worked on developing a heat pump information website for homeowners, conducted a randomised controlled trial to understand the impact of reducing boiler flow temperatures on gas use and household comfort, and carried out research to support the Money Saving Boiler Challenge. Before joining Nesta, Shaan worked at Friends of the Earth for almost five years. He worked as a Campaign Officer and, later, as a Digital Mobilisation Officer. Shaan holds a BSc in Psychology from the University of Warwick and an MSc in Environmental Sustainability from the University of Edinburgh. When not at work he enjoys noodling around on the guitar, yoga, photography, and exploring the outdoors.

Leah Robson

She/Her

Leah Robson has been working in the renewable energy solutions sector for 10 years. After a career in IT, Leah wanted to do something that was more aligned with her personal values. Initially Leah worked for a company installing solar panels and heat pumps and this ignited her passion for helping people make the switch to low carbon heating. In 2018 Leah set up her own company Your Energy Your Way, which has grown into a successful female-led, Surrey-based business that installs bespoke renewable energy systems for homes and businesses across the Southeast. Leah has featured on BBC news, BBC Radio 4, Fully Charged, numerous podcasts, and other social media outlets. She is also Co-Chair of Directors of MaidEnergy, a local renewable energy society created to support the growth of renewable, locally generated energy in Maidenhead, Windsor, Egham, Staines, and the surrounding area.

Hamid Salimi

He/Him

Hamid Salimi is National Residential Product Manager at Daikin UK. Hamid is a member of CIBSE and has BSc and MSc in mechanical engineering. He has worked with Daikin for over 15 years in various roles such as product applications, HVAC design and currently as a Product Manager leading a team of product specialists covering all aspects of residential renewable heating. Hamid specializes in and talks about Heat Pumps, Renewables and Net Zero. He has over 17 years of experience in HVAC, product management, legislation, and sales.

Blowing hot and cold: how air-to-air heat pumps can be a year-round solution

About Nesta

Blowing hot and cold: how air-to-air heat pumps can be a year-round solution

Blowing hot and cold: how air-to-air heat pumps can be a year-round solution - 25 Aug 2026 12:00 – 13:00