Release Date: Heat Pump Week (UK)

Host: Nathan Gambling (Beta Teach)

Guests:

• Joe Sharp (Editor, Installer Online)
• Barry Sharp (Guild of Master Heat Engineers)
• Mark Denman (Guild of Master Heat Engineers)
• Michael Warring (Guild of Master Heat Overview

In this special Heat Pump Week episode, host Nathan Gambling is joined by Joe Sharp from Installer Online and three expert members of the Guild of Master Heat Engineers. 

Recorded for the Installer Show and the Heat Pump Association (HPA), this episode addresses the top eight questions submitted and voted on by readers of the Beta Teach newsletter.

Episode Q&A Summary 
1. Do Large National Installation Companies Cause Issues for SMEs?

• The Consensus: Mostly yes initially, but market dynamics are shifting. Early on, some national players entered with rapid, low pricing that set unrealistic customer expectations. Regulatory fines for misinformation have since prompted market corrections.
• Local vs. National Impact: Independent installers note that homeowners often prefer a local engineer performing the survey rather than a corporate salesperson. National firms typically operate with a rigid "fit-in-the-box" mentality; when installations fall outside these parameters, they frequently refer leads back to local specialists.

Market Outlook: The general agreement is that a rising tide lifts all boats, and business-size friction will naturally ease as demand scales.

2. Are We Seeing Breakdowns with Heat Pumps Installed Less Than Five Years Ago?

• Reliability Findings: Core heat pump units are exceptionally reliable and robust. True component failures typically follow a standard "bathtub curve" (failing early due to manufacturing flaws or much later at end-of-life).
• Common Causes of Early System Issues: Problems arising within the first five years are almost universally tied to poor system design, incorrect commissioning, running systems at excessively high temperatures, or inadequate water quality management.
• Water Quality Standards: Guild engineers advocate rigorous chemical and hot flushing combined with demineralisation (using VDI units) rather than relying solely on chemical inhibitors. Guild Engineers regard Ricky from Thoroughflush as being the expert in helping engineers how to clean and keep heating systems from corroding. 

3. What Are the Pitfalls in Underfloor Heating Design and Installation?

• The Design Gap: Underfloor heating (UFH) is seen as the gold standard emitter for heat pumps, but standard supplier designs often focus on selling pipe rather than tailoring layouts. Standard layouts default to uniform spacing (such as 150mm centres) without evaluating individual room heat losses or specific floor coverings.
• Overheating and Flooring Risks: Oversized heat outputs under sensitive floor coverings (like LVT) can cause flooring to delaminate or rooms to overheat. Proper design requires variable pipe spacing tailored to specific room loads.
• Zoning Strategy: Rather than using individual room thermostats to cycle zones on and off aggressively, control systems should manage maximum temperature thresholds to maintain steady system efficiency.

4. What Would Encourage Guild Engineers to Do More Public Sector Work?

• Procurement Barriers: Public sector and local authority procurement frameworks remain heavily weighted on upfront capital cost rather than long-term system efficiency and whole-life value.
• Quality vs. Cost: Independent engineers find it difficult to compete under bureaucratic tender processes that prioritize the lowest bidder over engineered design quality, proper hydraulic balancing, and low-carbon performance.
• Administrative Burden: Strict Service Level Agreements (SLAs), severe penalties, and red tape mean that participating requires specialized corporate sizing and resources.

5. How Might We Protect Low-Income Homes from Poor Installations?

• Performance Over Vanity: Guild engineers emphasize that focus should center on actual running cost per kilowatt-hour of heat generated rather than rigid Coefficient of Performance (COP) vanity figures.
• Proven Design: Ensuring every installation has a fully documented, provable design (heat loss calculations and correct emitter sizing) prevents poor setups.
• User Education: Case studies show identical systems in neighboring properties yield vastly different running costs, making post-installation homeowner education on operating heat pumps correctly just as vital as the hardware itself.

6. What Are the Top Problems with Apprentices and Apprenticeships?

• Funding and College Structure: The current apprenticeship funding model heavily favors college structures rather than supporting small-business employers who deliver the primary hands-on training.
• Outdated Theory vs. Practice: Tutors are often disconnected from modern low-temperature heating techniques, and young apprentices are sometimes pushed into trades without sufficient foundational maturity.
• Operational Realities: Unlike trades where workers down tools sharply at 5:00 PM, plumbing and heating emergencies (like leaks or heating failures) often require staying on-site late, creating legal and logistical challenges for employing non-family apprentices.

7. How Can the Consumer Information Gap Be Overcome?

• Consistent Messaging: The industry suffers from a noisy media landscape and contradictory advice. 
• Trusted Repositories: Consumers should be guided away from rumors toward credible, expert-led platforms (such as specialised independent websites, community-run renewable hubs, and installer networks) that champion transparency and real-world performance data.

8. Heat Loss Calculations: Using HTC Measurements vs. Room-by-Room Design

• Whole-House HTC Limitations: While Heat Transfer Coefficient (HTC) measuring tools and sensors give a good high-level indication of whole-house heat loss, engineers note there can be a wide margin of error in practice.
• Why Room-by-Room Is Essential: Whole-house measurements cannot replace room-by-room calculations. Individual rooms vary significantly in external wall exposure, glazing, and heat loss parameters, making room-by-room design necessary to size radiators and pipework accurately.
• Episode Timestamps
  • 00:03 – Introduction to Heat Pump Week with Installer Online and the Guild of Master Heat Engineers.
  • 02:26 – Question 1: Do large national installation companies negatively impact SME installers?
  • 09:40 – Question 2: Reliability assessment and failure causes in heat pumps under five years old.
  • 19:29 – Question 3: Underfloor heating design pitfalls, pipe centres, and floor covering constraints.
  • 28:03 – Question 4: Public sector work incentives and procurement hurdles for independent heat engineers.
  • 33:20 – Question 5: Protecting low-income homes, running costs, and system monitoring.
  • 40:40 – Question 6: Challenges with plumbing apprenticeships, college funding, and trade working hours.
  • 52:14 – Question 7: Overcoming the consumer information gap and establishing consistent messaging.
  • 01:00:56 – Question 8: Heat Transfer Coefficient (HTC) measurement tools vs. room-by-room heat loss calculations.
  • 01:02:54 – Heat Pump Week wrap-up and closing sponsor acknowledgments.

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Episode Overview

In this episode of BetaTalk, host Nathan Gambling sits down with Johan du Plessis, founder and CEO of Tepeo, to discuss the Zero Emission Boiler (ZEB) and the evolving landscape of UK heat decarbonisation. 

Johan shares his journey from oil and gas engineering and smart energy management at Ovo/Kaluza to developing a high-density ceramic heat battery that offers a plug-and-play alternative for homes looking to electrify. They dive deep into why flexibility and consumer choice are critical to achieving net zero, how heat batteries fit into the government's Warm Homes Plan and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, and the role real-world empirical heat loss data plays in modern heating system design. 

Key Topics Covered

• The Origin of the ZEB: How smart energy aggregation and grid flexibility inspired a dry-core ceramic thermal store that mimics the installation simplicity of a gas boiler. 

• Demand-Side Flexibility & Grid Integration: Harnessing half-hourly flexible tariffs to absorb excess renewable energy, lower heating costs, and alleviate grid curtailment. 

• Policy & Subsidy Landscape: The inclusion of heat batteries in the Warm Homes Plan and the upcoming £2,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) grant. 

• Thermal Storage vs. Chemical Batteries: Why high-temperature thermal storage offers a lower-cost, highly durable alternative without degradation over 20+ years. 

• Bridging the Data & Policy Gap: Moving away from static EPC estimates toward measured heat loss coefficients to right-size domestic systems accurately. 

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

On the birthday of my late mum and the first anniversary of the Guild of Master Heat Engineers I have finally managed to get my cousin, Philip Gambling, on the podcast. He installed some of the first VRV/VRF systems in the UK. 

Joining him is another industry veteran Bob Beattie

Check it out and take a listen...it does get technical in parts

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

In this episode of BetaTalk, host Nathan welcomes heat pump expert Graham Hendra to discuss his latest project: an AI-driven platform called Energy Donkey, developed in collaboration with Planet Devices.

Designed to replace frustrating online forums and standard LLMs that mix reliable and poor advice, Energy Donkey leverages a curated repository of verified engineering data and real-time operational metrics. The system functions across three distinct service levels:

• Free Homeowner Advice: Answers standard consumer questions regarding heat pump suitability, noise, and installation requirements using verified technical data.
• Direct Unit Control: Interfaces directly with heat pump hardware via a small monitoring device, allowing users to check operational statuses, schedule setback modes, set spending limits, and automate weather compensation using natural language prompts.
• 24/7 Field Tech Support: Provides installers and engineers with instant, model-specific diagnostic rules and fault-code guidance around the clock, bypassing long manufacturer hold times.

Operating on a freemium, pay-per-use credit model using "carrots," Energy Donkey reduces routine inquiry loads for manufacturers while offering real-time performance tracking, predictive maintenance alerts, and expert technical assistance.

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

In this episode, Nathan speaks with Guild engineers Michael Waring (Bromley Energy) and Liam Knowles (The Heating People) about the daily realities of working on the tools in modern heating engineering. They move past surface-level talk to explore what it actually takes to run and grow a high-standard heating business today. 

Key discussion points include:

• The Recruitment Struggle: Why finding installers with the right work ethic, care, and attitude matters far more than baseline qualifications. 
• Managing the Workload: How elite installers balance surveys, admin, and on-site labor using 30-minute triage calls and AI phone receptionists.
• MCS & Accreditation Realities: Navigating certification schemes, paperwork, and quality management systems as an established installer. 
• Evolving Skills & Tech: Moving from gas boilers to heat pumps and air-to-air systems, tackling product shortages, and managing post-installation handovers. 
• The Future of Training: Rethinking traditional college apprenticeships, on-the-job learning, and where manufacturer support needs to step up. 

An authentic look into the modern heating trade directly from those doing the work every day. 

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

In this episode I give a brief run down of what is currently happening in the sector. I discuss the recent Installer Show and how the Guild of Master Heat Engineers is attracting lots of attention and how many of the engineers are now offering Air to Air systems to their customers.  

I also take a look at the competence person schemes (CPS) and the online boiler ordering business models. 

I then take a bit of a deep dive into the research around online assessment. Could we be jumping out of the frying pan into the fire?   

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Episode Summary

Guests: Zac Curtis (Innovation Lead for NextGen Home at E.ON) & Chris Bernkopf (CEO of Podero)

How do you scale residential Energy as a Service (EaaS) without upfront capital? E.ON and Podero’s 18-home Midlands pilot demonstrates that combining automated zero-upfront multi-asset orchestration (heat pumps, solar PV, batteries, and EV chargers) into a single 10-year fixed tariff wrapper can achieve a +56 Net Promoter Score and stable household comfort. However, scaling this model to a broader target market of 680,000 homes depends entirely on overcoming physical installation bottlenecks, correcting widespread heat pump commissioning errors, and transitioning manufacturer software platforms from standalone thermodynamic efficiency (COP) toward predictive, time-of-use cost-curve steering.

Technical Insights

1. The Financial Architecture of Energy as a Service (EaaS)

• The core financial barrier to residential grid decarbonisation is the high upfront capital cost of low-carbon assets.
• The E.ON NextGen Home pilot addresses this by completely eliminating initial capital expenditure for the consumer. All hardware—including Vaillant heat pumps, SolarEdge solar arrays, and home batteries—is deployed at zero upfront cost.
• The asset capital paydown is amortised over a 10-year term and embedded directly into a stable, single monthly fixed tariff wrapper.
• To mitigate risk when a homeowner relocates during the contract term, the asset value is transferred to the property valuation. The incoming buyer inherits an optimised, low-operational-bill home with the initial capital pay-down effectively cleared through the house sale.
• Following the 18-home proof of concept, E.ON is planning a proactive call for entries to scale up to a representative sample of over 300 homes. This next phase will target specific home archetypes and a diverse mix of consumer behaviours to stress-test the model's mass-market viability.

2. Multi-Asset Software Orchestration vs. Standalone COP

• Traditional heating controls are built to maximise standalone thermodynamic efficiency (COP).
• In modern dynamic, time-of-use energy systems where wholesale electricity pricing fluctuates sharply between midday and evening peaks, maximising standalone efficiency is an outdated metric.
• To generate true running-cost savings, Podero’s platform bypasses physical gateways to communicate via cloud APIs directly with the assets every few minutes.
• The software engine shifts focus toward predictive cost-curve steering by calculating the exact building energy deficits and the specific thermal deferral capacity (the duration a building envelope can safely delay or store heat load without dropping interior comfort).

3. Supply Chain Quality and "Unconscious Incompetence"

• The deployment of automated multi-asset steering lives or dies on physical installation quality.
• A significant portion of the UK installation supply chain suffers from unconscious incompetence—well-meaning installers who lack the specific expertise required for low-carbon engineering.
• Common field errors, such as incorrect heat pump commissioning, frequently cause internal backup electric immersion heating rods to run continuously, driving up electricity consumption.
• Additionally, the transition of the UK heating industry into a fragmented landscape of self-employed sole traders complicates the rapid dissemination of best practices. Overcoming this requires a strict, synchronised "waterfall" installation process to handle complex asset interdependencies over a tight five-day window.

4. Expanding Beyond Air-to-Water Archetypes

• To scale the EaaS framework past the initial pilot phase toward a representative market sample of 300+ homes, utilities must look beyond standard air-to-water heat pump systems.
• To accommodate tight mid-terraced houses and flats where external space or pipework disruption prevents traditional setups, the pilot is actively evaluating alternative low-carbon technologies.
• This includes compact, single-room heat pump configurations operating without external units, localised infrared matting, low-electricity radiant solutions, and smart electric boilers dedicated to domestic hot water (DHW) production.

Industry Resources & Links

• Host Profile: Nathan Gambling, Head of Technical Education at BetaTeach and host of the BetaTalk podcast. 
• Referenced Data Expert: Mick Wall (Sheffield University), field data analyst tracking "The Holy Trinity" of integrated heat pump, battery, and solar performance telemetry. 

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Overview

In this episode, we move beyond the industry’s obsession with nominal appliance ratings to confront a uncomfortable truth: "The Phantom Efficiency." We sit down with Robert Whitney to discuss why the UK heating sector is currently failing its first major test in the transition to electrification. We explore why we continue to chase theoretical efficiency gains on a spec sheet while ignoring the systemic failure of control strategies in the real world. This is a deep dive into the engineering reality of why our heating systems remain stuck in a high-temperature, on-off cycle, and why "effective control" is the missing link between a building’s design and its actual performance.

Critical Discussion Topics

The Myth of Nominal Efficiency: Why the sector prioritises the "sticker" efficiency of an appliance over the reality of how it operates within an integrated system.

The "Lobotomised" Boiler: A technical deconstruction of why high-precision modulating boilers are being throttled by outdated switch-live logic, effectively stripping them of the very intelligence we paid for.

Transition or Stagnation? Why the shift to heat pumps is exposing the industry’s deeper reliance on "rule of thumb" design. We discuss why the lack of systemic control knowledge is one of the greatest barriers to decarbonisation.

The Path to Mastery:Why "lifelong learning" and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing—as championed by the BetaTeach ethos—are the only ways to move from phantom efficiency to verifiable performance.

Key Technical Takeaways

Beyond the Appliance: Moving the industry narrative from "the boiler is efficient" to "the heating system is optimised."

The Physics of Delta T: Robert clarifies why low-temperature flow are not just "nice to haves" but fundamental requirements for both condensing boilers and heat pumps.

Data as the Antidote: How community-driven data initiatives (like OpenEnergyMonitor) are providing the hard evidence needed to challenge institutional inertia.

About Our Guest
Robert Whitney is an independent consultant and former technical leader in the global controls manufacturing sector. With a unique background spanning legacy controls and modern startups, he brings a "no-punches-pulled" perspective on the engineering realities of our current transition.

Resources

Read the latest newsletter: The Phantom Efficiency: Why Boiler Control Strategy Has Become the First Real Test



Our thanks to the guild patrons for their continued support: CastRads, Primary Pro, UK Radiators, Payaca, Esby, and Woolsey's Renewables Centre.

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Ryan Jude of the Green Finance Institute (GFI) discusses how to mobilise capital for the UK's green home revolution.

Overview

In this episode, Nathan is joined by Ryan Jude, Programme Director at the Green Finance Institute (GFI) and former Cabinet Member for Climate in Westminster. While Nathan admits his expertise lies in the "weeds" of heat pump engineering rather than the world of high finance, the two find common ground in the necessity of making low-carbon technology the "rational economic choice" for the UK public.

From the influence of legendary guitarists like Mark Knopfler and Dave Gilmour to the intricacies of Property Linked Finance (PLF), this conversation bridges the gap between technical installation and the financial mechanisms required to scale the UK’s transition to net zero.

Property Background & The Financial Challenge

The UK heating sector is currently at a crossroads. While the "want" for green upgrades is increasing due to volatile international energy markets, the "hassle factor" and upfront costs remains a significant barrier for the average homeowner.

Ryan explains that "Green Finance" is not a separate entity, but rather a "tinge" on existing financial products—mortgages, unsecured loans, and infrastructure investments—designed to incentivise sustainable upgrades. The goal is a "Green Economy" where the distinction between green and traditional finance eventually disappears.

Key Discussion Points & Innovations

• The Evolution of Green Mortgages: Since 2019, the market has expanded from just four niche products to over 93 today, with an estimated £14 billion annually now flowing through green mortgage products.
• Property Linked Finance (PLF): Ryan introduces the concept of lending against the land rather than the individual. Based on the "PACE" model in the US, PLF allows the debt to stay with the property, lowering risk for lenders and ensuring the liability passes to the next owner if the current resident moves.
• The "Hassle Factor" vs. Interest Rates: Evidence from Scotland suggests that a 0% interest rate isn't always the primary driver for consumers. Trust, ease of the customer journey, and the "hassle" of installation are equally critical in determining uptake.
• The Strategic Partnership: GFI is currently co-running a partnership with the government’s Warm Homes Plan, involving major high-street lenders like Barclays, NatWest, and HSBC to design accessible, low-interest, government-backed loans.
• Energy as an Asset: Discussion on how the National Energy System Operator (NESO) and demand flexibility schemes are turning heat pumps, solar PV, and batteries into assets that can actually reduce monthly outgoings through smart usage.

Performance & Evidence

The impact of current geopolitical events, such as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, has led to a measurable surge in consumer demand.

• Solar PV: Requests to major suppliers like Octopus and EDF have increased by over 50%.
• Electric Vehicles: EV demand has mirrored this uptick, as the cost-per-mile (approx. 8p at home vs. 18p at the pump) makes them the cheaper long-term choice.
• Scale: Over 27,000 solar installations were recorded in March 2026 alone—the highest in over a decade.

Closing Reflection

The transition to a low-carbon home is no longer just a moral choice; it is becoming a financial necessity. As Ryan notes, success will be achieved when the average consumer wakes up wanting the technology not because it is "green," but because it is the smartest way to protect their household from global energy volatility.

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

The UK heat pump sector is entering a new phase. In this episode, we speak with senior leaders from the newly formed Association, created by merging three major industry bodies (Ground Sorce Heat Pump Association, Heat Pump Federation and Heat Pump Association) into a single, unified voice: The Heat Pump Association UK

We explore why this merger happened, what it means for installers, manufacturers, and homeowners, and whether heat pumps are finally ready to scale across the UK. From policy challenges to consumer misconceptions, this conversation breaks down the real barriers in the race to decarbonise heating.

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Nathan chats to his friend Ricky from Thoroughflush about water quality in UK heating systems. Ricky leads the way in helping domestic heating engineers prevent corrosion in their boiler and heat pump wet heating systems. 

As well as discussing the VDI 2035 method of keeping heating systems clean they two chat about Ricky's own heat pump installation. 

It's a bit similar to Nesta's 'Start at Home' scheme. 

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

This episode of Betatalk features Will Rivers, associate director of residential decarbonisation at the Carbon Trust and Madeleine Gabriel, Sustainable Futures Mission Director at Nesta.

We discuss the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero's funded Heat Pump Ready Programme which was part of the Net Zero Portfolio (NZIP) and ran from 2021-2025.

The collaboration, evaluation and knowledge of this programme was managed by Carbon Trust who used the BetaTalk podcast to help share information. 

Heat Pump Ready 2 will start soon and Nathan's guests talk about the kind of innovation we might see. 

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

In this episode of BetaTalk, Nathan sits down with industry veteran Graham Hendra to unpick the complexities and misconceptions currently stalling the UK’s heat pump rollout. While much of the national conversation is bogged down in rigid technical defaults and confusing marketing jargon, this discussion focuses on the practical realities of machine design, the untapped potential of air to air systems, and why the industry must change how it communicates with the general public.

Key Discussion Points:

The Engineering Reality at Haier Graham shares his journey from a refrigeration engineer to his current role at Haier, the major Chinese electronics manufacturer and a global leader in heat pump production. He discusses the unique challenge of building a better machine from the ground up, moving past the limitations of current units that simply are not good enough for the demands of the modern energy transition.

Debunking the "Fridge in Reverse" Myth A deep dive into the industry’s communication problem. Both Nathan and Graham offer a clear rejection of the "fridge in reverse" analogy often used by journalists and salespeople. They argue it is a nonsensical description that confuses consumers. Instead, they frame a heat pump as a machine where the engineer is simply interested in the hot bit rather than the cold bit of the same refrigeration cycle.

The Strategic Case for Air to Air Heat Pumps Drawing on Graham’s extensive background, there is a strong emphasis on air to air heat pumps as a secret weapon for decarbonisation. They explain why these systems are ideal for specific use cases, such as conservatories, bedrooms, or for families needing to heat a single room quickly and affordably, rather than forcing a one size fits all wet system on every property.

Installation Nuance and Electrical Standards The conversation highlights the differences in installation quality and regulation. Graham contrasts a high end, quiet installation featuring hidden pipework against minimal budget options that compromise aesthetics. He also addresses the technical nuance behind why UK regulations require fixed appliances to be hardwired, adding cost and requiring a qualified electrician compared to simpler plug in models seen on the continent.

Live at The Heat Pump Show, Newark A look ahead to The Heat Pump Show at Newark on April 22nd. Nathan will be hosting a panel featuring Graham, where they will dive deeper into the potential for air to air systems within national decarbonisation strategies and the specific sizing challenges that engineers face in the field.

Thanks to the Patrons of the Guild of Master Heat Engineers who help make these podcasts possible. For more technical deep dives visit betateach.co.uk.

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

This episode discusses in lay terms the Position Paper which you can find on the betateach website and you can also download here

I speak to lots of Engineers who have apprentices at college who are not happy with the college system. 

The Betateach Position Paper argues for testing a new way of doing things. 

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

In this episode of BetaTalk, Nathan welcomes back engineer and coder James Twallin to discuss the technical nuances of the UK’s energy transition. While industry debates are often binary, this conversation focuses on objective data regarding gas infrastructure, the physics of high mass heritage buildings, and the importance of real world boiler monitoring for hydronic heat pump success.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The "Invisible" Gas Leak Problem: James reveals his research into the UK’s gas network. He explains how current energy policy and EPC ratings often ignore upstream methane leaks. Using Freedom of Information data, he highlights the prevalence of leaks in ancient cast iron mains featuring 19th century archaeological engineering.
• Decarbonising Heritage Buildings: A deep dive into a 200 year old stone church project. James explains why steady state modelling fails in these environments and how a physics based approach allowed for a successful, intermittent air to air heat pump installation by leveraging the building’s thermal mass.
• Optimising Hydronic Transitions: Nathan and James discuss a new monitoring device designed to track existing boiler behaviour. By gathering data on flow temperatures and cycling, engineers can create a more accurate blueprint for future heat pump performance.

Technical Correction During the recording, a Bosch study involving 4,000 units was discussed. While mentioned as a heat pump survey in the audio, Nathan would like to clarify that the study actually monitored 4,000 gas boilers. 

Thanks to the Patrons of the Guild of Master Heat Engineers who help make these podcasts possible 

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Primary Expert: Mick Wall (IT Specialist, University of Sheffield & Founder of Energy Stats UK)

Host: Nathan Gambling (Beta Talk Podcast and Betateach Newsletter)

Core Topics: Heat Loss Accuracy, Weather Compensation vs. Room Influence, Smart Tariffs (Octopus Energy).

Executive Summary (TL;DR)

Standard MCS heat loss calculations often overestimate ventilation losses in older homes by up to 300%. Expert consumer Mick Wall demonstrates that real-world air changes in a 1930s semi-detached house are closer to 0.5 ACH (Air Changes per Hour) rather than the CIBSE default of 1.5–3.0 ACH. This episode explores how to verify heat loss using Pulse Tests and CO2 Decay to prevent heat pump oversizing.

1. Challenging MCS Heat Loss Defaults

Standard industry calculations often rely on static building guides that fail to account for the actual "tightness" of 20th-century builds.

• The Problem: Default values from CIBSE and MCS result in oversized heat pumps, leading to short-cycling and reduced efficiency.
   
• The Evidence: Mick Wall utilises three distinct methodologies to validate air change rates:
   
  1. Pressure Testing: Utilising the Build Test Solutions Pulse kit for rapid air evacuation measurement.
      
• 
  
  1. CO2 Decay Monitoring: Deploying Purrmetrix sensors to track gas dissipation over 7 days.
      
• 
  
  1. Reverse Modeling: Matching 4 years of Open Energy Monitor data against Spruce fabric loss models.
      

2. Comfort Dynamics: Weather Compensation vs. Room Influence

While "pure" weather compensation (adjusting flow temperature based on outdoor air) is better than on/off control, it often lacks the "aggression" needed for rapid recovery.

• Pure Weather Comp: Best for steady-state efficiency but may fail during sudden internal temperature drops.
   
• Room Influence: Wall advocates for this approach and currently uses his Vaillant control with Havenwise which is an optimiser.
   
• Key Takeaway: Insulation (e.g., bay window upgrades) provides "unmeasurable comfort" by eliminating drafts, even when the fabric watt-saving is minimal.
   

3. Optimising the "Elephant in the Room": Smart Tariffs

A high-quality heat pump installation must perform efficiently regardless of the tariff. However, leveraging the Octopus Energy Kraken platform provides significant cost advantages.

• Agile vs. Cozy Tariffs: Understanding how to shift loads without sacrificing comfort.
   
• The Risk: Relying on cheap overnight electricity to "mask" a poorly designed, low-efficiency system.
   

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

In this episode, Nathan sits down with economist Ben Watts, the creator of the real-time energy dashboard at kilowatts.io. They explore the hidden "engine room" of the UK’s electricity system, the high-stakes market where power is traded in 30-minute blocks. 

Ben explains why a single line on the map (the B6 Boundary) is costing consumers over £1 billion a year and how technology like heat pumps and EVs are moving from being "loads" to "assets" that help keep the grid balanced.

Key Jargon Buster: The Grid Boundaries

To help listeners follow the conversation, here is a quick guide to the "pinch points" Ben mentions:

• B6 Boundary: The most critical bottleneck in the UK. It runs along the Scottish-English border.
• B4 Boundary: A northern bottleneck separating the Scottish Highlands from the Central Belt.
• The "4.5 GW" Limit: The onshore overhead cables at B6 can securely handle about 4.5 GW. When combined with the Western HVDC subsea link (2.2 GW), the total limit is roughly 6.7 GW.
• Wind Curtailment: When there is more wind in Scotland than the B6 "pipes" can carry, NESO pays wind farms to stop generating while paying gas plants in the South to turn on.

Keywords & Themes

• kilowatts.io: Ben’s dashboard for visualising real-time grid data.
• NESO: The National Energy System Operator (the new name for the system operator in 2026).
• CCGT Maintenance: Why demineralised water is essential for the steam turbines in gas power plants.
• Flexibility Assets: Using heat pumps as "virtual power plants" to respond to grid signals at 50Hz.

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

In this episode of BetaTalk, I talk about a subject I am deeply passionate about marketing within the UK heating sector.

The UK has the most competitive heating market in Europe, with the highest boiler sales across the continent. In such a competitive environment, marketing plays an essential role. I reflect on how, at times, marketing messages can move away from fundamental heating science. This is not about blame or intent, but about acknowledging how commercial pressure and fast-moving narratives can influence communication.

As scrutiny of the sector continues to increase from regulators, consumer bodies, and groups examining greenwashing, these gaps are becoming more noticeable. I talk about how this scrutiny is shaping conversations across the industry, including within marketing teams and trade bodies, where there can be tension between commercial expectations and technical accuracy.

I also share why I speak about my grandfather so often on this podcast, and how his influence shaped my views on engineering, responsibility, and honesty in how we communicate technical information.

This episode is a reflective discussion about marketing, science, and integrity, and how the heating industry can continue to communicate with clarity in an increasingly examined environment.

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

BetaTalk Podcast Show Notes: Air-to-Air Heat Pump Pioneering with John 

In this landmark episode of BetaTalk, the host sits down with John Ewbank to discuss his pioneering and invaluable research into the domestic application of Air-to-Air Heat Pumps (A2A HPs).

This conversation marks a potentially historical inflection point for the UK heating sector, as Ewbank’s practical, data-driven work pushes the boundaries of efficient home heating.

 🔬 The Pioneers of UK Heating

The episode highlights a crucial lineage of highly skilled, 'geeky' homeowners and engineers who have collectively advanced the understanding and adoption of low-carbon domestic heating in the UK. Ewbank’s work stands alongside the incredible efforts of figures such as:

• Mick Wall
• John Cantor
• Trystan Lee
• Glyn Hudson

These individuals have performed & shared ground-breaking real-world research, often filling gaps left by industry. 

💡 Collaboration with Nesta

A significant element of the discussion is John Ewbank's collaboration with Nesta, the UK's innovation foundation and think tank.

The host expresses great satisfaction that Nesta is engaging directly with practitioners and heating engineers like Ewbank. Their approach is highlighted as being uniquely effective among Third Sector entities in actively supporting and utilizing the crucial data generated by this community of independent researchers.

This is a vital episode for anyone interested in heat pumps, energy efficiency, and the future of UK home heating. Dive into the conversation, share it widely, and join the discussion around this incredible, pioneering work!

https://www.youtube.com/@TimAndKatsGreenWalk Have Toshiba Haori set up -  Does interesting experiments.
https://x.com/timothymortimer Daikin Stylish installed very happy
https://x.com/jimmybb - Daikin Stylish installed very happy
https://www.youtube.com/@EVPuzzle has many videos on his air to air system
https://www.youtube.com/@MrEV - other perspective installed has mixed feelings, but thinks was system design. Units were not optimally placed or sized

My initial install & experience
https://johnewbank.co.uk/what-is-the-cheapest-way-to-heat-your-home/

My experience when I lived with it for a bit.
https://johnewbank.co.uk/living-with-an-air-to-air-heat-pump-installation-and-testing-notes/

COP calculations
https://johnewbank.co.uk/airtoairmonitoring/

Guild Patrons 

PrimaryPro CastRads UK Radiators Renewables Centre

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

This week on BetaTalk, we're doing something truly special: the FIRST EVER exclusive interview with EDF Heat Pumps about their groundbreaking new "Express" initiative.

EDF's new "Express" initiative is hitting the accelerator, promising faster, smoother heat pump deployments that are directly comparable to the cost of a boiler install. 

We sit down with Clay Brown from EDF Heat Pumps behind to unpack:

• What "Express" really means for installers and homeowners.
• How they're streamlining the process from survey to switch-on.
• The vision behind this bold step for #RenewableEnergy.

Sign up to the BetaTeach newsletter to view heat pump installations from engineers in the Guild of Master Heat Engineers

GUILD PATRONS:

Primary Pro

Wolseley Renewables Centre

Castrads

UK Radiators

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

In this episode Nathan chats to two of the Guild Patrons, Rob Nezard from UK Radiators and Nick Baylis from Castrads about the issue of radiators being sold in the UK with overstated power outputs. 

Rob and Nick have been working with the Manufacturers Association of Radiators and Convectors (MARC) and now have the help of the Government body:  Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), the National Regulator for construction products, enforcing the Construction Product Regulations. This level of government involvement is a significant development, and it validates the nearly nine-year campaign for transparency and accurate performance claims across the radiator and convector sector

Meet the Guild Patrons

Guild Patrons help support the Guild of Master Heat Engineers disseminate quality information about current good practice. Sign up to the Newsletter to see case studies from the Masters

Guild Patrons are:

Primary Pro

Renewable Centre

Castrads

UK Radiators 

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Welcome back to the BetaTalk podcast! I'm thrilled to be joined by Adam Chapman of Heat Geek for a deep dive into the buzz-generating Zero Disrupt initiative. In this episode, Adam shares the full story behind this new heat pump installation program, explaining how it aims to solve critical industry challenges, including improving affordability for consumers and giving homeowners greater choice on system efficiency. If you're keen to understand the strategy and hear what this bold move means for the evolving industry, this is a must-listen episode. 

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

This episode of Betatalk features a detailed examination of a bespoke heat pump heating system designed by engineers within the Guild of Master Heat Engineers. We speak with Mark Denman of Custom Renewables and Alex Hilton, the homeowner and a wonderful guest who provides valuable insight into sustainability.

The engineers are leading heat geeks in the field, and this installation served as an excellent peer-to-peer learning opportunity for the community.

We also dedicate time to discussing Zero Disrupt, a new initiative from Heat Geek.

This heat pump podcast episode discusses the first case study on the BetaTeach website. Please click the Betateach link to view images and comprehensive details about the installation.

BetaTeach.co.uk

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Nathan is joined by Jonathan Siviter at Thermoelectric Conversion Systems (TCS), Ren Kang at Mixergy and Andreas Fechs at Kensa to discuss how innovation through the Heat Pump Ready projects has improved heat pump technology, the impact this could have on the market, and what future innovation is needed

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Nathan is joined by Zachary Gill at Energiesprong and Matthew Boyes at Hometree Finance to discuss the different innovative approaches that have been developed by Heat Pump Ready projects, the key lessons from the programme about finance models to support heat pump deployment and the insights into making finance affordable and attractive for consumers.

Disclaimer: 

All the views expressed in this episode do not represent the views of the Government or any of their departments.

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Nathan is joined by Christopher Taylor at Vital Energy, Richard Barwick at RJ Barwick and Russell Murchie at Nusku to discuss how innovation through the Heat Pump Ready projects has improved heat pump technology and the ease of installation of heat pumps in difficult to decarbonise homes, the impact this could have on the market, and what future innovation is still needed.

NEWS FLASH

The Guild of Master Heat Engineers is coming. Read more here and sign up to the newsletter

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

A New Voice Meets Old Hands: BetaTalk's host Nathan, new to media, chats with his friends Joe Sharpe, Joe Dart and Andrew Gavid at Lyrical Communications

Episode Summary:

In this special episode of Trade Media Uncovered, host Nathan Gambling of the BetaTalk podcast steps into the world of long-standing trade journalism. Nathan, a new voice in the heating sector's media landscape, sits down with the pioneers who have shaped the industry's discourse for decades.

We delve into the fascinating history of trade media, from the glossy pages of published magazines to the fast-paced, digital world of today. This conversation explores how the way professionals communicate, learn, and do business has been transformed by technology. The discussion also takes a deep dive into the history of The Installer Show, the UK's largest heating and plumbing trade exhibition, and how media works alongside events and awards. We even discuss the future of AI in the industry, including the work Lorefully did with Nathan at the Installer Show.

Key Topics Covered:

• The unique role of trade media in the heating and plumbing industry, and how it has evolved from print to digital.
• A look back at the origins of trade publications, including the journey of Refrigeration News (1898) which became RAC Magazine, where our guest, Andrew, once worked before eventually joining the Installer team at Lyrical Communications.
• How the ABC Certification served as an  auditor for the circulation of print magazines.
• The pivotal shift from traditional print to digital platforms and the rise of citizen journalists and influencers.
• How media works alongside events and awards to build and sustain a community.
• We discuss the future impact of AI on the industry, and Nathan learns what the NCTJ (National Council for the Training of Journalists) is. 
• A "then and now" look at trade events, including the evolution of The Installer Show and its new counterpart, the Elemental Show.

The show also discusses the Guild of Master Heat Engineers 

Links & Resources:

• The Installer Show: https://www.installershow.com/
• The Elemental Show: https://elementallondon.show/
• BetaTeach Newsletter Signup:  https://www.betateach.co.uk/subscribe
• Lorefully AI Report: https://www.lorefully.com/cart

Call to Action:

Did you enjoy this conversation? Subscribe to the newsletter which is coming soon and will feature heat pump case studies from the Guild of Master Heat Engineers 

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Join Nathan on this episode of BetaTalk as he sits down with Olly Cutting, Johann Kühns, and Pranjal Arya from HomeTree. The team from HomeTree shares their incredible journey, from a boiler installation company to a multifaceted energy services provider. We learn how Olly and Pranjal's economic backgrounds, combined with Johann's expertise in Climate Change management and finance from Imperial College London, have shaped their innovative, data-driven approach.

The Customer Journey Flywheel

The conversation centers on HomeTree's innovative business model, structured around a "customer journey flywheel" with three key divisions:

• Home Cover: Offering service plans for boilers and heat pump installations, rivaling big players like British Gas.
• Renewable Installations: Specializing in the installation of solar, battery, and heat pump systems.
• Renewable Financing: A crucial division that helps customers overcome the significant upfront cost of new energy systems, making the transition more accessible.

This flywheel model ensures that customers are supported at every stage of their energy transition.

A Different Approach to Acquisition

Nathan and his guests discuss HomeTree's unique strategy of acquiring local SME's (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises), like the respected IMS Heat Pumps Ltd led by Emma Bohan. They explore why this approach is so beneficial for both HomeTree and the acquired businesses. HomeTree's data revealed that customers prefer working with local installers, and this acquisition model allows them to scale while maintaining a personal touch.

Beyond Technology

The discussion also highlights that the move to renewable energy isn't just a technological change; it's a behavioral shift for customers. Nathan shares his thoughts on how the Guild of Master Heat Engineers can collaborate with HomeTree to help both the company and its customers navigate this transition, building on the great conversation they started over dinner. 🍽️

This season is being sponsored by Intergas

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Join Nathan this week for an exclusive episode recorded live from the Qvantum HQ in Sweden! Nathan sits down with a team of true industry heavyweights to discuss the future of heating solutions for multi-occupancy dwellings.

In this insightful conversation, Nathan is joined by his good friend and a titan of the European heat pump sector, Thomas Nowak. As the former General Secretary of the European Heat Pump Association for nearly 18 years, Thomas shares his unparalleled knowledge of how Europe is tackling the challenge of heating decarbonisation.

We also speak with Philip Ord, Qvantum's Managing Director, and Darren Manley, the technical expert behind Qvantum's innovative solutions. The discussion delves into the intricacies of their offering, exploring the dual benefits of heating and cooling, the critical issue of overheat protection, and the technical innovations that make their systems ideal for multi-residential buildings.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the technical and strategic side of decarbonisation, from on-the-ground installers to policy makers. Tune in to hear from a leading company in the space and get a unique perspective on the European journey to a cleaner heating future.

This season is being sponsored by Intergas... check out their xylinder, a cylinder designed for heat pumps

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Expanding Horizons: BetaTalk's New Newsletter and Website!

We're thrilled to announce that BetaTalk is growing! In addition to our regular podcast episodes, we're launching a brand new newsletter and an associated website. This expansion will allow us to bring you even more in-depth content, industry news, and valuable insights into the world of heat pumps and sustainable building.

Our newsletter, launching shortly, will be your go-to source for the latest industry developments, insightful opinion pieces from the third sector, and crucially, real-world heat pump case studies from experienced engineers in the Guild of Master Heat Engineers. This is an exciting step in our mission to inform and empower.

As Chris Stark, former CEO of the Climate Change Committee, remarked about this new venture: "Nathan is one of the UK’s clean heat leaders, so I always watch him closely. This collaborative media venture is an exciting next step. We need positive voices like Nathan’s to help broaden knowledge around retrofit and heat pump installations."

Don't miss out! Be among the first to receive our new newsletter and stay ahead of the curve:

Sign up now for exclusive content and updates!

Episode Notes:

Welcome back to BetaTalk! In this fascinating episode, we delve deep into the world of air-to-air (A2A) heat pump systems for domestic properties. We were incredibly fortunate to be joined by two distinguished guests: Es Tresidder, a consultant specialising in Passivhaus design and low-carbon building design optimisation, and Michael Cosham, a seasoned HVAC engineer with 47 years of invaluable experience.

Our conversation began by exploring air-to-air systems in general, including Michael's personal experience building an A2A system for his first home on Canvey Island. Es then shared insights into the A2A system installed in his own highly efficient home, providing a real-world perspective on their performance.

We thoroughly discussed the numerous advantages of A2A systems in domestic properties, highlighting their efficiency and effectiveness. We also touched upon some perceived disadvantages, but as our conversation unfolded, it became clear that many of these concerns, such as fan speeds, comfort, noise, and even dry skin issues, may be simple to resolve with proper system setup and design. Indeed, with the right configuration, these issues may not even exist. 

For more on this, and avoiding potential pitfalls, Es has provided these insightful articles:

• About overheating in low-energy buildings: https://www.highlandpassive.com/do-low-energy-buildings-have-an-overheating-problem/
• Understanding thermal comfort: https://www.highlandpassive.com/why-do-i-feel-chilly/

A key takeaway from this episode was the remarkably low cost of A2A heat pumps, making them an increasingly attractive and accessible option for homeowners looking to embrace sustainable heating solutions.

Join us for a truly enlightening discussion that challenges preconceptions and sheds light on the true potential of air-to-air heat pump technology.

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Rhiannon and Nathan discuss the recent Installer Show 2025 at Birmingham NEC, covering current trends within the heating industry, including issues related to training.

This season is sponsored by Intergas 

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

In this episode Nathan chats to his friend Ian Edgeworth, author of the recent books "Wellcome to the Wonderful world of Air source Heat Pumps - What Kept You"  and "The Pocket Guide to Low Temperature Central Heating" 

You can find the books at New Perspectives.Com

Listen to Ian's journey into teaching and what he and Nathan think of the current situation regarding heat pump training.

This season is being sponsored by Intergas who make the quality xylinder - a heat pump cylinder

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

The latest episode of BetaTalk dives deep into a topic of critical importance for the future of skilled trades and green technology: the intricate world of Vocational Training Qualifications (VTQs) and how they stack up against General Qualifications (GQs).

Host Nathan Gambling, always at the forefront of heating and skills discussions, explores a key differentiator in VTQs: the expectation that ALL learning outcomes must be truly mastered for a qualification to be awarded. This isn't just about passing an exam; it's about demonstrating genuine competence.

What makes this particularly "interesting," as Nathan highlights, is the unique assessment model. Unlike GQs, the assessment for VTQs is largely devolved to the training centre, rather than solely residing with the awarding organisation (AO). However, here's the kicker: the AO remains fully responsible and accountable for the quality and integrity of the qualification itself.

This creates a fascinating dynamic. On one hand, it makes it incredibly straightforward to independently assess whether individuals have genuinely mastered every single learning outcome. If something's amiss, it's very easy to trace accountability back to the awarding organisation.

This conversation takes on even greater significance when we consider the millions of taxpayer pounds currently funding crucial qualifications, such as those for heat pump installations. With significant public investment, ensuring that these qualifications genuinely produce competent professionals is paramount.

Tune in to the latest BetaTalk episode to understand the implications of this assessment model, the responsibilities of AOs, and why robust VTQs are essential for building a skilled workforce, especially in vital sectors like renewable heating.

This season is sponsored by Intergas

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

This week on the podcast, Nathan sits down with Nigel from DK Heat Recovery to discuss an innovative approach to energy efficiency.

Many businesses across the UK, like meat and food processing plants and butchers, rely on cold storage rooms kept cool by heat pump systems. These facilities also require significant amounts of hot water for their washing-down processes. Similarly, gyms use heat pump systems to maintain a comfortable temperature for workouts and need plenty of hot water for showers.

Traditionally, the heat generated by these cooling systems is simply expelled into the atmosphere, a complete waste of energy. However, DK Heat Recovery has developed a clever solution to recycle this wasted energy and use it to heat hot water.

Tune in to hear Nigel explain how the special coils in their cylinders are designed to capture the heat from the refrigerant instead of letting it escape into the atmosphere. It's a fascinating look at how businesses can become more sustainable and reduce their energy costs!

This season's sponsor is Intergas who make a great xylinder for heat pump systems

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Join Nathan's guests David & Rob from Fornax and dive into the nitty-gritty of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) consultation and explore how third-party finance could be the key to unlocking widespread domestic heat pump adoption. We'll break down the "finance gap challenge," look at what makes third-party ownership work, and dissect the pros and cons of different financing models.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Finance Gap Challenge: Why current BUS grants alone aren't enough for mass market adoption and how existing loan products fall short for consumers and installers.
• The Power of Third-Party Ownership: How it dramatically increases heat pump installations by offering: 
  • Superior consumer protection: If the system fails, customers stop paying, and the financer is responsible for resolution.
  • Risk alignment: Financiers are incentivized to ensure proper installation and ongoing performance.
  • Better affordability and accessibility: Eliminates large upfront capital requirements.
  • Support for installer businesses: Creates sustainable, predictable maintenance income.
• What Works: Consumer Hire vs. What Doesn't:
  • Consumer Hire agreements: The only commercially viable third-party ownership model under UK regulation. 
    • Subject to robust FCA Consumer Duty protections—not "lightly regulated."
    • Consumers have clear and simple mechanisms to keep their system; providers don't want them back!
  • Why Hire Purchase models are problematic: Despite being highlighted in the consultation, they remain commercially unworkable due to existing financial regulations.
• Consumer Protection Reality Check:
  • Consumer preference surveys don't equal deliverable products—regulatory constraints matter.
  • Consumer protection isn't free: Every additional measure either limits access to affordable heat pumps or makes them more expensive/unworkable. Duplicative measures unfairly penalize consumers.
  • Repossession rights are fundamental to risk pricing; removing them increases costs for all consumers (e.g., mortgages).
  • Maximum term limits would reduce affordability and increase financial exclusion.
  • Many proposed duplicative requirements (e.g., Ofgem doing things the FCA already does) deter small businesses and hinder independent installers.
• Innovation vs. Prescription Risk:
  • Over-prescription risks stifling innovation just as the market gains momentum.
  • Standard contract requirements could recreate past failures like the Green Deal/Green Homes Grant.

THIS SEASON IS BEING SPONSORED BY INTERGAS 

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Mike Costain, the Managing Director of The Installer Show! In this special episode, we pull back the curtain on the UK's leading event for heating and plumbing professionals, exploring what's new, what's next, and how the show is expanding its horizons internationally.

But that's not all! Mike also shares his invaluable personal experience as a homeowner, detailing the installation and performance of his own heat pump system. He opens up about the common misconceptions and knowledge gaps within the building industry that can hinder heat pump adoption, particularly among builders who may not fully grasp their efficacy.

Crucially, you'll hear about the unique connection to this installation, as our very own host Nathan had the pleasure of arranging the engineer for Mike's heat pump installation. We delve into the journey from initial curiosity to a fully operational, energy-efficient home heating solution.

Looking ahead to this year's Installer Show, Nathan will be at the forefront of innovation, helping to run The Installer Show's groundbreaking AI platform – a first-of-its-kind initiative for the event. Mike also offers exclusive insights into the exciting developments at the show and its ambitious plans for international expansion.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Behind the Scenes at The Installer Show: What's new, what's hot, and what to expect from the UK's premier heating and plumbing event.
• The MD's Personal Heat Pump Journey: Mike shares firsthand insights into living with a heat pump system, its benefits, and any surprises along the way.
• Tackling the Knowledge Gap: A candid discussion on how a lack of understanding among builders about heat pump functionality can impede installations.
• The Inside Story of Mike's Install: Hear how our host played a direct role in connecting Mike with the skilled engineer for his heat pump installation.
• Revolutionising the Show: Our host's role in pioneering The Installer Show's never-before-seen AI platform.
• The Installer Show Goes Global: Mike's vision for the show's international expansion and what that means for the industry.

This season is being sponsored by Intergas

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

In the fourth episode of the Heat Pump Ready special bulletin series, Nathan talks to three Heat Pump Ready projects to discuss the topic of ‘Improving the customer journey’. Nathan is joined by Jack Jarvis from EDF, Gareth Robertson from Thermly and Lucy Fairchild from Oxford City Council to discuss.

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

In this episode, Nathan invites Mick Wall, his 'expert consumer,' back to have a discussion with the lads from Havenwise, a company dedicated to helping with quality heat pump installations. Havenwise runs an API which optimizes the weather curves on the heat pump, as well as looking at time-of-use tariffs. You can choose to use various functionalities. For example, Mick only uses the optimizer for his space heating. Nathan likes what Henri and Alex at Havenwise are trying to achieve. Take a listen...it's a very enjoyable one!

This season is being sponsored by Intergas Heating Solutions. 

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Join host Nathan Gambling as he journeys to Intergas HQ alongside legendary heat pump engineer Steve Webster to get the inside scoop on their high-quality stainless steel hot water cylinders, specifically designed for heat pump systems. Steve shares his firsthand experience testing these cylinders on recent installations, highlighting their exceptional build quality and resilience during transportation – a welcome change from the damage often encountered with other brands.In this insightful episode, Nathan, Steve, and Intergas's Dave Hall delve into:

• The Intergas Manufacturing Process: Get a behind-the-scenes look at how these robust stainless steel cylinders are crafted, emphasising the quality and attention to detail that sets them apart.
• Unboxing Success Stories: Steve recounts his positive experiences with the cylinders arriving on site in perfect condition, a significant advantage for installers.
• Heat Pump Industry Evolution: Dave and Steve, both early pioneers in UK domestic heat pump systems, share their perspectives on the significant changes and advancements they've witnessed over the years.
• Anti-Freeze Valves: A discussion on the necessity of anti-freeze valves in heat pump installations.
• Future of the BUS Scheme & A2A Systems: Thought-provoking discussion around the potential inclusion of Air-to-Air (A2A) systems in the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) and the concerns about a potential influx of low-quality, mass installations.

Key Takeaways:

• Intergas's stainless steel cylinders offer superior build quality and are designed to withstand the demands of heat pump systems.
• Reliable delivery and undamaged products on site save time and hassle for installers.
• The heat pump industry has evolved significantly, and understanding the nuances of system design and regulations is crucial.
• The potential inclusion of A2A in the BUS raises questions about installation quality and long-term efficiency.

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Episode Description: Host Nathan dives into the rapidly evolving world of Artificial Intelligence and its potential impact on the plumbing and heating industry. Joining him are Barrie and Amrit from Lorefuly, experts in leveraging technology for the trades.

Key Discussion Points:

• The Hallucination Hazard: The trio discusses the crucial issue of Large Language Model (LLM) "hallucinations" – where AI systems confidently present inaccurate or fabricated information. This raises serious concerns about relying solely on unverified AI content.
• RAG to the Rescue: The Power of Accurate Data: Barrie and Amrit explain the concept of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and its importance in ensuring AI provides reliable and trustworthy information. By grounding AI responses in curated and accurate data, RAG offers a pathway to creating genuinely useful resources for professionals in the field.
• Lorefuly & BetaTeach at the Installer Show 2025: Exciting news! Lorefuly and BetaTeach will be showcasing their AI-powered solutions at the Installer Show 2025 at the NEC. Find out how they are harnessing AI to benefit plumbers and heating engineers.
• OEM Opportunities: Heating appliance manufacturers can get involved in this innovative initiative! Learn how OEMs can contribute their expertise and data to create valuable AI-driven tools for installers.
• Pre-Show Webinars: Stay informed! Nathan, Barrie, and Amrit announce upcoming webinars (first one here: https://tinyurl.com/BetaTalk-AI designed to provide more details on how OEMs can participate and the benefits of getting involved.

Mentioned:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Large Language Models (LLMs)
• Hallucination (in AI)
• Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)
• Lorefuly
• BetaTeach
• Installer Show 2025 (NEC)
• Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Nathan speaks with Leah Robson, owner of a small SME (Your Energy Your Way) installing heat pumps, batteries, and solar, about her recent appearance at Westminster. Leah gave evidence to the "Workforce Planning to Deliver Clean, Secure Energy" Committee, invited through Ellora Coupe of "Her Retrofit Space." The discussion centres on whether Leah's concerns about workforce training, particularly for heat pump installation, were understood by the committee.

Key Discussion Points:

• Westminster Testimony: Leah shares her experience presenting to the committee and her assessment of whether her points regarding the challenges faced by small businesses were acknowledged.
• The Three-Day Training Issue: The core of the episode focuses on the prevalence of three-day heat pump installation courses and Leah's concerns about their adequacy. She highlights potential issues with the depth of knowledge gained and the practical experience of some trainers.
• Heating Training Grant (HTG): Who Wins? Nathan and Leah explore the effectiveness of the HTG, questioning whether the primary beneficiaries are the awarding bodies, training centers, or the engineers themselves.
• Engineer Perspectives: Feedback from experienced gas engineers who have taken these short courses suggests the training is insufficient and doesn't adequately prepare them for real-world heat pump installations.
• Taxpayer Value: The episode raises concerns about the value for money for UK taxpayers funding the HTG if the resulting training isn't producing competent installers.

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

In this insightful episode, host Nathan sits down with two key figures from the Heat Pump Association (HPA) – CEO Charlotte Lea and Chair Craig Dolan – to explore the role the HPA plays in the evolving UK heating landscape. They delve into the value the association brings to the industry, particularly as the nation transitions towards low-carbon heating solutions.

The conversation tackles the fundamental question of whether industry associations are still necessary in today's rapidly changing world. Charlotte and Craig passionately argue for their continued relevance, highlighting their crucial function in providing a unified voice for the heat pump sector and driving positive change.

A potentially contentious area is explored as Nathan raises the issue of potential conflicts of interest arising from HPA membership that may include companies also affiliated with the boiler industry and their strong advocacy for hydrogen boilers through the Heating and Hot water Council (HHIC). This leads to a nuanced discussion about navigating diverse interests within the broader heating industry.

Nathan expresses his support for the HPA's proactive new strategy focused on amplifying the voices of heat pump installers – the boots on the ground who are essential to the successful rollout of this technology.

The guests showcase the tangible benefits of HPA membership by highlighting the development and release of valuable industry resources, such as the new Residual Current Device (RCD) guidance and comprehensive heat pump system commissioning documents. 

The conversation then shifts to the complexities of the UK heating controls industry. Nathan and his guests discuss whether the competitive nature of the market might inadvertently hinder the adoption of common engineering sense and best practices in the design of energy-efficient heating systems.

Finally, Charlotte and Craig shed light on the significant policy work undertaken by the HPA, including their collaborative efforts with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). They explain how the association actively engages with policymakers to shape regulations and support the widespread adoption of heat pump technology in the UK.

Key Discussion Points:

• The core value proposition of the Heat Pump Association in the UK heating industry.
• The ongoing relevance and necessity of industry associations in the current climate.
• Navigating potential conflicts of interest with members also involved in the boiler/hydrogen fuel debate via the HHIC.
• The HPA's new focus on empowering and promoting the voice of heat pump installers.
• The importance and impact of HPA-produced technical documents, such as the new RCD guidance and commissioning documents.
• The challenges and opportunities within the UK heating controls industry and the potential impact of competition on best practices.
• The HPA's crucial policy work and collaboration with the Energy department.

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Nathan chats with Dan Large a Director at Solaris Energy. Dan has been involved with the design, installation and maintenance of heat pump heating systems for a good number of years. 

The important topic of water quality comes up and Solaris Energy use VDI 2035 methods rather than a chemical inhibitor approach. 

Dan is on the installer working group at MCS and gives insight into this process.

The episode also discusses heat pump controls and how Dan and Solaris Energy have become involved with the heat pump manufacturer Kronoterm.

This season is being sponsored by Primary Pro a professional pipe insulation system

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Welcome back to BetaTalk, the podcast dedicated to exploring the exciting world of renewable heating! In this episode, host Nathan is joined by two fantastic guests: Barry Sharp from Renewable Heat and a familiar voice to BetaTalk listeners, and Scott Sanford who has recently embarked on his own renewable heating journey.

Our conversation kicks off with a fascinating deep dive into Scott's personal experience installing a Viessmann heat pump system in his own home. We hear firsthand about his installation journey, the challenges and triumphs he faced, and the benefits he's now experiencing. This very installation was also recently featured in the SNIPEF magazine, offering a real-world perspective on adopting heat pump technology.

The episode then continues with a theme that Nathan and Barry have explored in previous episodes: the crucial role of mentorship within the heating industry. We delve into Scott's heating career, his motivations for embracing renewable technologies, and his active involvement within SNIPEF. We discuss how mentorship has potentially played a part in his journey and the importance of knowledge sharing within the sector as we transition towards a greener future.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• Scott Sanford's personal experience installing a Viessmann heat pump system in his home.
• The key considerations and potential hurdles involved in a domestic heat pump installation.
• Insights from Scott's journey as featured in the SNIPEF magazine.
• The ongoing discussion between Nathan and Barry regarding the significance of mentorship in the renewable heating industry.
• Scott's career path within the heating sector and his role as a SNIPEF member.
• The value of knowledge sharing and support networks within the plumbing and heating community.

This season is being sponsored by PrimaryPro, a professional system for insulating heat pump pipework

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Welcome back to the show! In this episode, I'm joined by a good friend and expert in the renewable energy sector, Ken Bone from Ultimate Renewables Supplies. Ken and I dive deep into a topic that's crucial for efficient heating and the future of low-carbon homes: weather compensated heating systems.

One of the key points we explore is the apparent lack of understanding within the installer base regarding weather compensation. It's surprising, considering that condensing boilers – mandated way back in 2005 – operate much more efficiently when paired with this intelligent control strategy.

But is it fair to point the finger solely at installers? We discuss why it's arguably not their fault. Ken and I explore the possibility that industry associations haven't adequately championed and educated on the benefits of weather compensation. This lack of widespread promotion has left many installers unfamiliar with its implementation and advantages.

Our conversation then shifts to the burgeoning heat pump market. Are heat pump manufacturers doing enough to provide user-friendly and effective controls, both for the installer during setup and for the homeowner in their daily use? We examine the current landscape and consider areas for improvement.

I also share a bit about the history of the control industry, where the ideal scenario pushed by control manufacturers for many has been individual room-by-room control. However, as Ken astutely points out, this level of granular control is often unnecessary and can overcomplicate things.

We also touch on a fascinating aspect of the UK heating market: the observation that certain manufacturers are utilizing the same Chinese OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) for their products. This raises questions about differentiation and the potential for shared underlying technology.

A central theme of our discussion revolves around whether these OEMs could produce better weather compensation controls that also incorporate room influence. Can we achieve the best of both worlds – the efficiency of weather compensation fine-tuned by individual room temperature feedback?

Towards the end of the episode, we briefly touch upon the important topics of grid flexibility and demand-side response. We discuss how a better understanding and wider adoption of weather compensation by installers could significantly ease the transition to heat pumps and contribute to a more flexible and efficient energy system.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone involved in the heating industry, from installers and manufacturers to homeowners interested in optimising their heating systems and understanding the future of home comfort. Join Ken and me as we unravel the mysteries and potential of weather compensated heating!

This season is sponsored by Primary Pro, a professional pipe insulation system

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

In this eye-opening episode, we delve into the contrasting approaches to water treatment in European domestic heating systems for corrosion prevention. While the UK predominantly champions chemical inhibitor solutions under the EN BS 7593 standard, many European nations embrace a wider range of methods. Surprisingly, some UK chemical inhibitor manufacturers who exclusively promote their products domestically readily offer non-chemical alternatives on the continent. Host Nathan interviews Ricky Prescott from Thoroughflush, who sheds light on the shortcomings of the BS 7593 standard. Ricky argues that manufacturers of chemical inhibitors often fail to provide sufficient information to accurately test heating systems and determine if adequate inhibitor levels are present. Adding to the complexity, while some of the UK's leading heating engineers favor the German VDI 2035 standard, the chemical water treatment group within the Heating and Hot Water Industry Council (HHIC) appears resistant to discussing or acknowledging these alternative European approaches.

This season is being sponsored by PrimaryPro a professional pipe insulation system

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Ever wondered what connects the discipline of a three-time Oxford-Cambridge boat race rower with the intricacies of sustainable architecture and the practicalities of installing heat pumps? This week, Nathan Gambling sits down with Henry Pelly,  an extraordinary individual who seamlessly blends these worlds. 

Our guest is a Principal Sustainability Consultant at the renowned Max Fordham, a qualified architect holding Masters degrees in Environmental Design and Environmental Psychology – a powerful combination for understanding how buildings impact both our planet and our well-being. 

We explore his fascinating career journey, which has recently taken an exciting turn with the launch of his own MCS installation company, focused on bringing efficient and eco-friendly air-to-water and air-to-air heat pump systems to domestic properties. 

Discover Henry's incredible past representing Great Britain in rowing, the demands of building a wedding venue, and the heartwarming chaos of family life with three young daughters. Join us for a captivating conversation that proves passion and expertise can truly span diverse and impactful fields.

This season is sponsored by Primary Pro, a professional pipe insulation system

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Ever wondered how heat pump systems differ between the UK and the US? In this episode, Nathan chats with Shreyas Sudhakar, a leading heat pump installer and educator from California, to explore the contrasting approaches. Nathan, who has fond memories of his time in America, and his apprenticeship on a US airbase in the UK, emphasises the strong connection he feels to the country. He and Shreyas engage in a fun discussion, highlighting the strengths of both systems and gently suggesting areas where US installations might benefit from UK insights. They both strongly believe that sharing knowledge and best practices is key to maximising heat pump efficiency and sustainability. Join us for a conversation that celebrates innovation and the potential for transatlantic collaboration!

This season is sponsored by Primary Pro a professional outdoor pipe insulation system used by top engineers in the UK

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Damon Blackmore is a massive favourite among other competent heat pump installation engineers. 

He uses social media to help other heating engineers become interested in heat pump systems and has some of the highest performing heat pumps in the country.

Unfortunately, the voices of good engineers are being drowned out by the comms pieces from much larger entities involved in the sector. 

Take a listen to someone actually at the coal face of industry...day in day out.  

This episode is sponsored by Primary Pro a professional pipe insulation system used by Damon and other great engineers.

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Nathan chats to Adam Bell, Director of Policy at Stonehaven about:

• Ofgem and the recent findings from Citizens Advice
• The CfD (Contracts for Difference) consultation 
• the report from the National Infrastructure Commission's - Electricity Distribution Networks: Creating capacity for the future  
• Pylons
• MCS

You can find Adam on Linkedin and his blog site Unbalancing Mechanism 

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Heat pump owners around the UK have joined the Nesta scheme whereby they allow visitors to come visit them and ask questions about their heating system. 

Nathan chats to Codrina Cretu and Andy Marsden about the benefits of this free scheme to people thinking of having a heat pump as well as the benefits to installation engineers who can use it as a marketing tool.

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Episode 3 of the Heat Pump Ready programme.

Nathan chats to

Ian Rose arPassiv UK,

Casey Cole at Guru,

and Mark Lufkin at Wondrwall

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Nathan talks with Katrina from Energy Systems Catapult and Trysten Lee from Open Energy Monitor about a key question surrounding the Electrification of Heat (EoH) trial: why did the heat pumps perform so poorly? The trial, involving aprox. 740 heat pumps, showed an average Seasonal Performance Factor (SPF) of just 2.81 for air source.

This contrasts sharply with the performance of heat pumps monitored by Trysten at HeatPumpMonitor.org (HPM). Interestingly, many of the installers whose systems are tracked on HPM are relatively new to the field, some with only a few years of heat pump experience. Yet, they consistently achieve high-performing heat pump installations, a stark difference from the results of the large-scale trials. This success likely stems from their adherence to the two BetaTeach principles, their approach to self-directed learning, and their use of peer-to-peer learning. They also tend to pursue different training paths, rather than relying solely on the standard 3-day BPEC and LCL Award courses.

The trial, conducted in partnership with Warmworks, OVO, and E-ON, involved 19 MCS contractors installing approximately 750 free heat pump systems.  Beyond heat pump performance, the trial has provided valuable insights that are informing policy development in areas such as planning permission and Distribution Network Operator (DNO) applications. 

Trystan and his team have managed to visualise the data captured from the trial at eoh.heatpumpmonitor.org


For information on the Air to Air trial and to see if you can have a free A2A heat pump system click here

This season is sponsored by PrimaryPro

Primary Pro, a pipe insulation system developed by Dave Smith, is gaining popularity among engineers for use in heat pump installations.

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery systems are discussed with Nathan's guests Duncan and Barry Sharp.

Regular listeners will know Barry from previous episodes of BetaTalk and is one of Nathan's favourite heat pump engineers based in Scotland.

Duncan is Barry's dad and has been specialising in MVHR systems since around 2010.

The discussion looks at how effective MVHR is and the problems with design, installation and commissioning. 

Duncan spends a lot of his time helping others understand MVHR and is involved in surveying the systems in social housing as well as designing and installing systems.


 

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Nathan interviews Mick Wall, a self-proclaimed 'heating nerd,' about his experiences with a heat pump expertly installed by Damon Blackmore, a renowned engineer. Mick's story, like those of Trystan and Glyn featured on episode 10 of BetaTalk's 10th season (who run heatpumpmonitor.org), exemplifies a fascinating shift: the rise of informed heat pump consumers. Their deep understanding around the "science of heat" surpasses that of many professionals in the industry's marketing, media, and PR sectors.

Mick's heat pump heating system is being monitored here

Mick also runs Energy Stats which tracks agile electricity prices and can be found here

Mick runs a blog and can be found on these social media sites:

https://twitter.com/Zarch1972
https://bsky.app/profile/zarch1972.bsky.social

This is a great episode and start to a new season being sponsored by
Primary Pro

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Nathan talks to Steph Willis and Joseph Saxby, founders of Spruce.

Lot's of topics covered in this exciting conversation such as heat loss, heat pump sizing and EPCs 

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Nathan chats to Iain from Edinburg Heating about his journey into heat pumps.

Iain has been using Barry at Renewable Heat (and a BetaTalk regular guest) as a mentor.

Training course are discussed as well the barriers micro-businesses face in transitioning from boilers to heat pump heating systems.

SEASON TEN IS SPONSORED BY
Ultimate Renewable Supplies

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Nathan welcomes back to the show Trystan and Glyn, the brilliant team behind heatpumpmonitor.org

BetaTalk would also like to mention the legendary John Cantor, one of the UK's first ever heat pump gurus, who has helped the team develop this wonderful learning tool 

This show is PACKED with fantastic information so check out the chapter markers if you need to find specific pieces of information. But make sure you listen to the whole show...you won't want to miss this one.  

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Notorious heat pump design expert Michael, from Option Energy Solutions in Brighton Sussex, comes on the show with Tom from Somerset.

Tom runs Arlow Plumbing and Heating and has a team of five involved in the installation of gas and oil boilers. Tom started installing heat pumps quite a few years ago and has recently teamed up with Michael who has provided some mentorship.

The conversation naturally discussed training, one of the subjects Nathan at BetaTalk is regarded as being an expert on. The episode is more proof of how engineers are learning more from each other than perhaps the courses which are on offer.

The chat discussed recent changes proposed by DESNZ as well as discussing some of the manufacturers involved with heat pumps such as:

• Vaillant
• Viessmann
• Grant
• Ideal
• Worcester Bosch
• Mitsubishi
• Midea 

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

The microgeneration certification scheme (MCS) recently became aware of a non-certified business targeting and encouraging MCS installers to break scheme requirements. 

We chat to Ben who has recently become MCS registered to discuss the situation along with his transitional journey into the world of heat pumps. 

We also discuss a current topical: Government funded heat pump training, which Nathan argues is not working as well as it should.   

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

In this podcast Nathan chats with his friends Barry from Renewable Heat and Matt from Matt Rigby Heating Ltd.

The guests and Nathan discuss Matts journey from a gas engineer to a heat pump engineer. It mentions how Barry has provided mentorship which is a far better way to help gas engineers transition than the current system of just sending them on a powerpoint course.

This season is sponsored by Ultimate Renewables Supplies 

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Nathan was kindly invited by the Heat Geek team to host a podcast at their Installer Show stand where he chatted to Adam Chapman, founder of Heat Geek and Karolis Petruskevicius the brains behind Homely

The discussion involves what is currently happening in the heat pump industry as well as Homely's heat pump optimisation tool.  

Enjoy!

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

In this episode Nathan chats with Fiona, CEO of SNIPEF and Barry, a regular podcast guest and a Snipef member. 

Snipef presented talks at the Green Homes Festival during Edinburg Festival month and Nathan discusses the talks with his guest and the potential Edinburgh has in switching to heat pumps

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

This is the second episode of the special Heat Pump Ready podcast series, in collaboration with the Carbon Trust with funding from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. 

In this episode, Nathan talks to 4 Heat Pump Ready projects to discuss ‘How Innovation can improve the heat pump survey and design process’. 

Key topics discussed include: 

 - Ways to improve heat loss calculations, the limitations of standard methods and the potential role of measured heat loss in heat pump surveys.

 - Innovative tools to improve and streamline the survey process, potentially reducing the need for surveyors to visit properties to generate quotes and system designs 

 - What tools do engineers and installers need to deliver an excellent result to their customers? 

A summary of the speakers and their Heat Pump Ready projects is provided below:

Thomas Whiffen – GEO

Utilising data from an existing portfolio of energy modelling and smart thermostat technologies, GEO is looking to provide a solution that will deliver an estimate of a heat pump system required for a property before a boots-on-the-ground assessment.

Hermione Crease – Purrmetrix

Working with Hoare Lea, this project will use in-home energy monitoring to calculate the heat loss of a property and provide a forecast of appropriate heat pump products that would suit the homeowner. 

Richard Jack – Build test Solutions

In conjunction with Veritherm and Elmhurst, Build Test Solutions use their expertise in measured domestic energy use to determine an accurate heat loss of a property, which can then be used for accurate heat pump sizing. 

Griff Thomas: Heatly

Using just your phone camera and the Heatly app, this tool will allow a homeowner to conduct a building survey themselves and receive a complete heat pump design. Supporting both installers and homeowners. 

The views expressed in this podcast are those of the participants and do not represent the views of the Government or the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Emma Bohan from IMS Heating came up with the idea for surveying heat pump installation companies big and small. She brought me on board with the project and I had Nesta help with the construction of the survey and its analysis.

The podcast episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the Installer Show 2024 with some audience questions at the end.

Take a look at the survey report here 

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

In the first episode of season 10 which is being sponsored by Ultimate Renewables Supplies Nathan speaks with Madeleine Gabriel the Mission Director for  Sustainable Future mission at NESTA and Adam Bell, formerly a civil servant at DECC, BEIS and DESNZ and now policy Director at Stonehaven.

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

In this episode I spoke to Nigel Banks, Technical Director at Octopus Energy. Nigel is  author of Fabric Fifth which many now see as the common sense approach to retrofitting and decarbonising homes. 

Nigel spoke in a personal capacity. I was extremely grateful he came on the show.  I have been critical of Octopus in certain regards but am also well aware they are doing important work. It was a pleasure to have Nigel speak on my show. 

I also chatted with Dan Kelly, Managing Director at Dartmoor Energy. Dan has nine years experience with heat pump systems as well as being a qualified PAS2035 retrofit coordinator and assessor.  

For me, the episode helps illustrate that the fa bric first mantra has possibly led the UK down the wrong path.  And it could be argued there has been a waste of Government funds, essentially tax payers money. 

The most vehement of fabric first advocates, to me, clearly do not understand why the forefathers of thermodynamics got excited about heat pumps: things which used work to do heat rather than things which use heat to do work.  The former being able to reach well above the 100 percent efficiency cap of the later. 

It highlights how many are not taking ownership of their own learning and understanding what people like Lord Kelvin knew back in 1852.

It has been far too easy for people to  disseminate "fabric first".  Quite honestly it is often laziness and highlights a lack of professional development

It is totally understandable that consumers do not understand the science of heat but for those involved in the discourse, especially if they are being paid and funded via money from the tax payer they need to take ownership of their own learning and bring them selves up to speed. 

What's discussed:

• UKREiiF event, and lack of heat pump knowledge
• Framework lists for Social Housing and Local Authorities
• Conflicts of interest regarding PAS2035
• Cavity Wall Insulation (and Zone 4)
• LA's are stuck between a rock and a hard place
• Heat Pump Optimisers such as Passiv UK and Homely
• Tackling fuel poverty at scale
• The able to pay market vs the fuel poverty market
• Trust Mark - does it work? Possibly not
• Unconscious incompetence

I'd like to thank Grundfos for sponsoring this season of BetaTalk

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Nathan sat down with three regional winners for the 2024 Heating Installer Awards.

They explain their winning installs as well as well as discussing the current trends happening in the industry

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Nathan was grateful the IMA reached out to ask if their CEO, Simon Storer, could  come on the podcast to contribute to a very interesting debate.

Nigel Banks from Octopus (who wrote this fabric article) was scheduled to appear on the show and will  be coming on for a follow up episode.

Nathan was very grateful Richard Erskine,  who could step in at short notice to be a guest host, who has lots to offer in the debate and wrote the very good "Insulate Britain! Yes, but by how much" essay.

Great episode which will be continued

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Nathan sat down to chat all things heat pumps and training with Clayton Brown from CB Heating.

EDF acquired CB Heating back in 2022 which is one of the largest heat pump installation entities in the UK. 

EDF’s strategic investment and partnership with CB Heating have supported the development of the HPIN Academy. This academy provides free training to upskill engineers at every level in the UK.

The episode also discusses the recent partnership between Ideal Heating, a group Atlantic company, who manufacture and supply heat pumps.

Take a listen 

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Heat pumps move energy from and energy source e.g. air, ground water (hence they are called :air source, ground source) to a sink.

The sink is the emitter system within a home e.g. radiators, underfloor heating (UFH) and fan coils.

Engineers, Installers, designers and the occupants of a home rely on radiators having accurate power output data. Unfortuanlty, it looks like their is a big problem in the radiator industry: the published power outputs are being over stated.

This has huge consequences for heat pump systems which rely on designers designing a heat pump system which can operate at the lowest possible design temperature.

Higher flow temperature to radiators requires the heat pump's compressor to work harder an use more electricity, resulting in more demand on the grid and higher fuel bills for the customer.

Rob Nezard from UK Radiators has spotted a problem across the whole of the radiator supply chain and created a video to prove this. Nathan went to visit Rob (watch on youtube) to discuss the problem 

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

In this episode Nathan chats to Paul Eastwood, Head of Energy Systems Planning at OFGEM and the past Senior Climate and Energy Advisor at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Also joining the heat pump conversation is engineer Barry Sharpe from Renewable Heat  

The discussion focuses on what an ideal customer journey is. Paul has had a heat pump system after Nathan recommended Barry to him. The episode questions if Paul's experience could have been better with the hope engineers may gain some useful insight. 

Topics covered are:

• Heat loss assessments and independent assessments.
• Securing quotes for heat pump installations
• Install options
• Heat pump controls and operations
• Heat pump servicing
• Why do heat pump installs cost more than boiler installations

This was one of Nathan's favourite recordings and he would like to note that Paul is speaking in a personal capacity and not on behalf of any employer. 

Please enjoy the episode.

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Nathan chats to Barry Sharpe from Renewable Heat, Emma Bohan from IMS Heat Pumps and Steve Webster from EGE Energy about the MCS hybrid consultation, heat pump training as well as glycol and anti-freeze valves.

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Sweden have had a long tradition with heating technologies and have incredible expertise regarding heat pumps. 

Nathan talks to the Swedish company AIRA, the new entrant to the UK's heating and home renewables industry. 

AIRA will be installing heat pump and other technologies across Europe bringing their expertise first to Italy, Germany and the UK.

It's a great episode and Nathan enjoyed his conversation with Daniel Sarefjord, the chief executive of Aira in the UK, immensely. 

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

As the title states, you are a very special group of people to me. You listen to me ramble on about heating for a start and I am very grateful for that.. So, thank you. I appreciate that very much.

This is the first episode of 2024 and I wanted to do something a bit special. Something for you.

As you know, this podcast is called BetaTALK... and the talk aspect is very important. In order to help accelerate the mainstream adoption of transitional heating technologies we first need people to start talking about them. We need to get people talking about heating in a positive and fun way. So how do we do that?

This is something I care about and I know this is something you care about too. You care about getting people to talk about heating. But it's challenging.

So, to help you,  Lawrence and I have developed a tool. It's a practical tool and it will  engender conversations around heating.

It's new, it's fun, and it's very quirky.

Take a listen and meet my partner Lawrence... together we have started up Jouln  

As well as home owner listeners if you are associated with Local Authorities, Social Housing Groups, construction companies and even energy suppliers and interested in Digital Twins /artificial intelligence and how  they can help you then please contact us at lawrence@jouln.com


Once again, thank you for being part of something special.

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Season 9 is sponsored by Grundfos and in this episode Nathan speaks to James  Twallin about the software and codes behind the heating industry. 

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

In this episode Nathan chats to Paul Spence, a very competent and highly regarded heating engineer. Paul installs a range of heating system types including heat pumps.

It's a long but highly interesting episode. If you want to hear Paul's credentials first skip to around the 1hr 05 min mark... and then come back to the beginning of course.

Paul also runs the facebook group HeatPumps UK...check it out

Enjoy!

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Here is the link to the heat pump installer survey (lot's of prizes to be won)


In this episode Nathan speaks with Glyn Hudson and Trystan Lea who along with open source enthusiasts have created open energy monitor and heat pump monitor.

Heat pump installers and consumers are installing monitoring equipment such as heat meters onto their heat pump systems to obtain COP readings. COP stands for the coefficient of performance.

The monitoring has provided the oppotunity for engineers and home owners to learn from each other about what works what doesn't work. 

Arguably, other monitoring schemes (which cost the tax payer money) have caused a headache to the energy transition movement because such studies were using incompetent installation companies to put these heating systems in. This has meant a low COP average which the fossil fuel industry loves to allude to.  

These schemes have not shed much, if any, data on system design so no one has really learned anything from them. 

Conversely, this platform has engendered a hive of learning with engineers not only being able to learn from each other but also being able to validate their competence to prospective customers.  

It's a great episode...take a listen

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Nathan speaks with Sandra Trittin, co-founder of tiko Energy Solutions and co-host of the podcast Talking New Energy from LCP Delta. 

Joining Sandra is Talking New Energy's other host Jon Slow partner at LCP Delta.

The discussion centres around how we may be able to heat pumps, batteries and EVs as as virtual power plants to increase the  flexibility of the grid .

Take a listen

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

In the first episode of a new season Nathan chats to James Macnaghten, CEO of Caldera.

Caldera manufacture and supply thermal storage solutions for industrial heat processes.

Get early access to their investment opportunity here

Thank you to season sponsors Grundfos 

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

This was a recorded live show at Installer 2023 and featured Ian Rippin from MCS along with Ken Bone and Leah Robinson from Your Energy Your Way.

Ian discusses the consultation and the new changes coming.

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Econic is a new venture from Nathan's friend Christophe Grossbaier.

Its aim is to make the transition from gas boilers to heat pumps smoother for both customers and installers and uses a hybrid heat pump business model to achieve this.

With an engineering background and Masters from Cambridge University, Christophe appreciates heat pumps can heat almost any building but understands customers still have their concerns and worries.

This business model is designed to take away the anxiety a customer may have and at the same time offer them a cheaper alternative - both in upfront and running costs.

Econic will be working with local community groups as well as Local Authorities. To find out more contact the team here  

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Nathan dives into the history of heating systems and looks at why chemical inhibitors were introduced to prevent corrosion.

He also points out that manufactures are possibly misinterpreting the building regulations e.g. they are getting confused with a requirement within the building regs  and the guidance contained in an approved document.

It also takes a look at the Benchmark system and questions if it is fit for purpose. Is it biased towards maintaining growth of the chemical inhibitor companies?

The episode also looks at how a 1960s home could be heated from single panel radiators with just a flow of approx. 53°C... 

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

In this episode Nathan interviews Faye Wade, his favourite academic researching the heating industry. This is because Faye understands that the most vital component of the industry is the engineer and that we need to really listen to them.

Joining Faye are Nathan's friends Leah, Sovay and Rhiannon who are all involved in installing and maintaining heating systems.

This is a fab episode with lot's of discussion around the transition to heat pumps and things like certification bodies, awarding bodies and MCS etc etc

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Alongside usual episodes from the BetaTalk Podcast, Nathan will be helping the Carbon Trust and the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero disseminate knowledge around the learnings from the Heat Pump Ready Programme with around 10 extra podcast episodes. This is episode 1 of these special Heat Pump Ready bulletins.  

The Heat Pump Ready Programme is part of the The Net Zero Innovation Portfolio, which  is a £1 billion fund, announced in the Prime Minister’s ten point plan for a green industrial revolution, to accelerate the commercialisation of low-carbon technologies, systems and business models in power, buildings, and industry.

Nathan speaks to Nicola Lazenby who is the Energy Innovation Programme Manager, leading on the £60m Net Zero Innovation Portfolio Heat Pump Ready Programme at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Nicola has nearly a decade of experience leading innovation and technical research projects to support Government net zero policies. Nicola's passion for innovation and research stems from her academic background in civil engineering, where her PhD focused on pile foundation heat exchangers. Previous programmes which Nicola has led includes the Energy Entrepreneurs Fund, Building for 2050 and the Energy Catalyst programme, in addition to her role in developing acceleration support services for the entrepreneurs supported by such funds. 

As an advocate for diversity in the heat pump sector, Nicola is the founding member of the Women in Heat Pump Network.

Nathan also chats with Will Rivers from the Carbon Trust who leads Stream 3 of the Heat Pump Ready Programme and is Technical lead for the Green Homes Finance Accelerator. He also works on net zero strategies for social landlords. 

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

In this conversation Nathan chats with Jonny Hancock, product manager at NIBE about some of the products and solutions they have on offer including their new exhaust air heat pump being launched at the InstallerShow 2023


You can find the links discussed on the show below
NIBE Training
University of West London PVT case study

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

*Update: in this episode Damon and host Nathan realised after editing there was a mistake. An easy one to make as engineers like Damon have so many numbers running around in their head. He mentions he sizes radiators to 50°C when in fact Damon is one of the engineers who designs to a lower flow temp of 40-45*C for a radiator heating circuit.

In this episode we speak to the fabulous engineers Damon from Blakemore Plumbing and Heating and Barry from Renewable Heat about quotations. It's a hot topic so sit back and enjoy.

We also discuss the Glowmarkt website being developed by consortium partners within the Heat Pump Ready programme which Nathan, the host of the show, is part of. 

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

I really enjoyed this episode chatting with Andrew Middleton, Managing Director at British Gas Zero and Steve Petrie, regional manager at British Gas Zero who also is a former British Gas engineer.

I brought along for the ride my friend Adam Gilhespy from Carno to help me host the conversation as he also is a former British Gas engineer and like Andrew  understands strategy and processes. 

For anyone who knows my podcast I started it so on the ground engineers could have a more amplified voice. Unfortunately, in the energy discourses I'm privileged to be a part of these days the coal face engineers are not always being listened too.

It is why it was refreshing when Andrew reached out and asked if he could come chat with us on the podcast. Andrew is one of my listeners and openly admits he has found it extremely useful to listen and learn from the engineers I have had on the show. 

Enjoy the show

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Recycled refrigerant and Energy Performance Declarations are discussed in this episode alongside the wider discussion around whole life carbon and the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard.

Nathan's guests are:

Ryan Philp, the Business Development Manager at Daikin 
Ellie Burkill, Energy Sustainability Consultant at XCO2
Sara Godinho, Associate at XCO2

To hear what Daikin are doing with recycled refrigerant skip to 1 hour 2 mins... a link is provided in the chapters tab

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

The BetaTalk podcast speaks to friends at Kensa about their approach to using heat pump technology for domestic heating.

Nathan and Wouter Thijssen, MD at Kensa Contracts, explain 5th generation heat networks (known as ambient loop) and how they are different to other types of district heating.

For more info about the  check out the links below

ITV NEWS
Financial Times
BBC

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Fantastic guests and a fantastic episode which digs deep into the Energy Performance Certificate. 

Nathan is joined by Madhuban Kumar, CEO of Carbon Laces; Stuart Fairlie, MD of Elmhurst Energy and Marcus Shepheard from the Climate Change Committee  

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Lots of frustration among gas engineers. Do we value the work they have been doing for so long? They are an incredibly important sector of the heating community as we will be relying on them for the transition.

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

This is the 100th episode so a big thank you to all the listeners and all those who have taken part.

BIG THANK YOU TO MyEnergi who are this season's sponsor

It features 

• European policy expert Louise Sunderland from the RAP
• UK policy and innovation expert Guy Newy from Energy Systems Catapult (past sponsor of the podcast)
• AND expert heating engineer  Welsy Hort from West Hampstead Plumbing and Heating. Wesly is one of the renowned BetaTalk #heatarchitects - leading heating engineers who are helping other heating engineers learn.

This episode is fantastic and discusses the recent heat pump installs Wesley did for both Guy and Louise. Both Guy and Nathan have a passion for post install monitoring and Nathan is involved in a BEIS funded Heat Pump Ready project which has a focus on monitoring.  

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Mark from the architectural practice LEAP discusses with Nathan airtightness, ventilation, thermal comfort and passivhaus.

Questions arise such as should more loft insulation be put in and how windows ideally should be fitted.

A few papers are mentioned and the links can be found here:

Passivhaus Secrets (Free Documentary Case Studies)

Passivhaus Training

Thermal Bypass Risks

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Measuring Heat pump system design with Brendon from Heacol
Link to slides for the test can be found here

THE TEST RIG
Brendon discusses how he first designed the test rig with Ulster University  for testing the heat pump he had built which is specifically adapted for UK climate, the UK's building stock and how the homes in the UK are commonly heated e.g. a combi boiler.

When RHI was first introduced, it required heat pumps to have costly certification and sadly Brendon's heat pump had to be put on the back burner... after all, Brendon is extremely busy installing heat pumps for people and has been putting heat pumps in for many years.

(Note, if you are an investor in innovation you'd do well to contact Brendon to discuss this heat pump)

The test rig uses a 500L thermal store to simulate the internal of a property "it's got inertia, it's got thermal capacity and it's got buffer "

A plate heat exchanger connecting the thermal store to the heat pump simulates a radiator system which can have temps and flow rates changed.

Brendon describes how this set up is able to run different testing than the excellent Energy House at Salford University and benefit from quick responses to different heating stratagies and scenarios. 

TESTING SYSTEM DESIGN 

1. testing a heat pump system with 3rd party controls and buffer tank
2. testing a heat pump system with weather compensation and buffer tank
3. testing a heat pump system with weather compensation and no buffer tank e.g. open zone or what has been called direct in the test which can be found here

The test simulated a house with an 11.5kW heat load.

With the first test the heat pump had to run at 50 degree Celsius flow to maintain an internal temp of 21 degrees.

In the second test the flow temp dropped to 45d.

The final test, with open zone system, no buffer and controlled with manufactures wether compensation controls only required a flow temp coming from the heat pump of 35 degrees C

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

We chat to Szymon from Urban Plumbers who is now installing heat pumps to get a glimpse into that journey. Szymon has a great YouTube channel which you can find here

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Nathan chats with Tarik Bellahcene from the European Heat Pump Association about Keymark

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

We spoke with Graeme Fox from BESA about the first world ventilate day. You can watch live also their webinar which will also be recorded


12:00pm GMT - Tuesday 8 November 2022

Join our panel of experts as they discuss how good ventilation can improve health and wellbeing as well as protect buildings. We will share top ventilation tips and practical solutions to implement your home, school or workplace. They answer the key questions such as: 

• What is ventilation? 
• What is the right solution for my building? 
• How does it improve sleep/health/productivity? 
• How do I know if I have a ventilation problem? 
• Can ventilation really reduce the spread of flu, colds, and other diseases? 
• Energy costs mean I don't want to open my windows in winter – what options do I have? 

BESA are supporting the global awareness campaign to promote the critical role building ventilation plays in improving health, well-being, sleep and productivity alongside scientists, academics, engineering bodies and environmental activists.

As well as showcasing the range of ventilation solutions available to building owners and occupiers, #WorldVentil8Day will recognise the skilled people who implement the measures and strategies used to make buildings healthier and safer – highlighting the need for training and recruiting more skilled people to take on this growing global task. 

You can find the link to the webinar here
 

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

We chat to Phil Jones from Alpha about boilers and their need to be working better with proper control. 

We also mention the hybrid offering from Alpha where for aprox. £3100 a home owner can have a new boiler which is connected to a 4kW fan coil unit outside.

Enjoy the  episode and thanks for listening 

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Fantastic episode with Barry who runs Renewable Heat up in Scotland. We discuss his heat pump journey as well as his work with the plumbing and heating association Snipef.

We discuss lots such as MCS, the NIBE PVT system, sizing heat pumps and the new service which www.heatpimpsurvey.com provides which measures rather than calculates heat loss.

We also mention how some of the old solid wall buildings are some of Barry's best performing systems.

Defrost cycles are discussed and how a heat pump can become more efficient the colder it gets outside due to lack of moisture in the air.

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Nathan chats to the MD of EOGB about a UK first - a domestic modulating oil boiler.

The boiler uses open therm to modulate the flame and will output different flow temps to the radiators or other heating emitters. 

Nathan starts the episode with a little pre-amble about the importance of flow temps constantly changing to match the demand of the property. 

Enjoy!

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

We are joined by Richard Burrows from Mid Wales Plumbing and Heating Supplies who is an expert on heating control strategy.

Richard talks about the types of modulation - load compensation and weather compensation and how all boilers should be controlled this way.

To understand modulation I have written an article with a funny analogy here

With advice about turning boiler temperatures down for combination boilers 'combis' Richard chats about heating systems using cylinders and how the outdated practice of piping up S and Y plans is scuppering  efficiency. 

Great episode this

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Nathan chats with his friend Dave who runs and owns Condensate Pro and now Primary Pro.

Primary Pro is a polyethylene product which comes pre painted making it easier to use than class O insulation. He has also developed Bond & Seal which can be applied all weathers unlike the contact adhesive which is used for Class O.

The conversation is a useful resource for people wanting to understand the types of pipe insulation available and how to install it correctly, especially for heat pump pipework which is outside

Topics

•  weather resistance and weather proofing are discussed along with UV protection.
• polyethylene and Class O
• Nitrate Rubber Foam
• Closed cell insulation
• Clipping insulation

VISIT A HEAT PUMP WITH NESTA check out this new initiative

Acknowledgements:

Thank you to all the podcast listeners.
Thanks to this seasons sponsor Farnell UK
Thanks to the European Heat Pump Association for their support

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Nathan is a big supporter of diversity within the heating industry and this special episode is the first ever BetaTalk podcast takeover e.g. Nathan is not in it. 

The episode has been hosted by three remarkable women who are involved in  plumbing and heating: Sovey, Leah and Rhiannon. They interviewed one of Nathan's friends Andy who has been involved in the industry for quite some time. 

A fun packed episode with all kinds of interesting stuff

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Nathan has a great chat with Daniel Newport from the Tony Blair Institute for Climate and one of his regular renewable heating engineers James from Elite Services Group based in Hull.

Daniel previously held a senior position at BEIS and was part of the team that introduced the target of 600,000 heat pumps by 2028.

All sorts of interesting stuff in this episode.  

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Nathan hosted a live podcast to discuss heat pumps at the industry's favourite show.

On the guest panel were Heat Architects Steve Webster and Si Posket along with the podcasts expert guest on commercial refrigeration Lisa-Jayne

Season 6 of BetaTalk is being sponsored by Farnell

We also like to thank the European Heat Pump Association and Key Mark in helping to promote life long learning within the sector

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Ofgem have been collecting performance data on heat pump installs and Nathan chats to Collin Meek from RB&M who has analysed the data.

The report summary can be found here

Learn what COP (coefficient of performance) SCOP and SPF (seasonal performance factor) all mean as well as their limitations.

Are heat pumps in the UK performing well? Find out in this great episode.

A big thanks to season 6 sponsors Farnell

Also a big thanks to Tado, The European Heat Pump Association and Key Mark who are helping to support life long learning in the sector

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Can a home have no energy bills? Yes. We chat to Nigel from Ilke Homes who have just partnered with Octopus Energy for an exciting project where the occupant is expected to pay no energy bills.

The homes will use heat pumps, lots of solar PV and batteries. Hear how they work on this episode. 

This episode is accompanied by a special patron episode where we go more into the detail of these Octopus and Ilke zero energy bill homes

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Meet Nathan's guest Tom Lowe who heads up the Thermal Storage Association with founding members SunAmp, Caldera and Tepeo.

Tom has had previous roles in OFGEM, British Gas and Buld Energy so there is lots of great discussion in this episode


Use the  10% discount code BETATALK10 with Farnell purchases over £50

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

In this first episode of season 6 I chat with some of the people in the Carbon CoOp team

You can hear what they are all about and how they have been helping people navigate through the cacophony of retrofit and renewable heating advice. They are one of my favourites out there and really understand the challenge.

Matt is very much an enthusiast, like myself, in monitoring  buildings and heating with sensors etc in order to engender better outcomes and encourage learning.

In keeping with an IoT theme please welcome my new sponsor: Farnell, who have an event happing soon. They also have a Raspberry Pi Solutions Kit and you will hear me discuss Raspberry Pi with the Carbon Coop team on this episode.

"This episode was brought to you by Farnell, your global distributor of electronic components, products and solutions"

Use the  10% discount code BETATALK10 with Farnell purchases over £50

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Nathan speaks to his good friend and his control expert David Newton. David started his career in controls back in the 70s and has interesting stories.

The conversation centres around the fact it is not a technical problem which needs solving but a human one. 

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

In this episode Nathan talks to Thomas Nowak the Secretary General of the EHPA.
Thomas has a wealth of knowledge in the European Heat Pump space and has  been disseminating good advice for quite some time.

Take a listen

We are currently the #1 energy podcast in the UK here

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

In this episode Nathan chats to retired physicists Michael de Podesta about his video on how to quickly get an idea of the heat loss of your home.

You can follow him on Twitter at  @Protons4B and find his blog here

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

One of my favourite conversations:

Adam is a rare entity. He is a heating engineer but understands extremely well the tech world now entering the heating industry and will play an important part. 

It is a frank conversation and we hope you enjoy and get something from it

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

The Renewable Heat Incentive is about to finish and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme is about to start.

Heat pump installation companies have found themselves in a state of limbo and an open letter has been drafted to put forward their concerns to BEIS and OFGEM

This episode is in response to those concerns and features policy expert Richard Lowes, Dan Kelly & Jim McKenzie  from https://www.dartmoorenergy.co.uk/, regular guest Leah Robinson from https://www.yourenergyyourway.co.uk/, and other regular guests James Clark from https://www.elitesg.co.uk/ and Steve Webster from https://www.egeenergy.com/

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Nathan knows the good people at NESTA quite well and likes their pragmatism. In this episode Nathan has a chat with Madeleine Gabriel the sustainable mission director and Andrew Sissons, the deputy mission director.

They discuss insulation and how you do not need deep retrofit for heat pumps to work, even efficiently. 

Conversation also discusses the cost of heat pump installations and the electricity price.

A great episode

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

In this episode Nathan chats with regular guest host Ken Bone and Rachael Peterson an electronics and software engineer. Both guests are early adopters of battery technology for use within their own homes.

They also have PV and Heat Pumps and a bonus episode exists on the patreon site where you can hear both guests talk about the integration of all these technologies

Fasten your seat belts for this one.

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Nathan chats to Stephanie who was monitoring heat pump systems out in Canada.

One of the things Nathan is passionate about is using monitoring and Smart HTC to measure real heat loss. 

Monitoring can also be used to establish performance and highlight either faulty equipment or bad installation practice.

In the Autumn of 2021 Nathan gave evidence to a policy commission involving members of BEIS, the CCC and OFGEM on the importance of monitoring.

Enjoy the episode

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Gas prices have risen. This is having a dramatic effect on the poor. Nathan discusses the sorry state of ECO, the Energy Companies Obligation and how boilers have been installed in such a way that the heating systems in the homes of the fuel poor are not as efficient as they should be. Is anyone to blame? Is anyone researching this?

To listen to the bonus episodes, including one coming shortly on how radiators are sized correctly for your home please sign up 

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

In an experimental podcast episode Nathan chats to his friend and world renowned Michael Liebreich who hosts the Cleaning Up podcast. It is a dual podcast and will go out on BetaTalk and Cleaning Up. You can even watch it here on YouTube

Nathan and Michael discuss how we have the technology for low carbon heating but lack the skills to implement it. As an expert on finance Michael touches on the fact that investment money is there ready and waiting.

If you would like to hear extra bonus episodes please sign up to our patreon site to help support us. Thank you and enjoy the show

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Planning permission and planning allocation are complex topics and Nathan invited along his friend Rico Wojtulewicz, the head of housing and policy at the National Federation of Builders, for a chat about how the planning process hinders the uptake of low carbon heating technology such as heat pumps.

A fantastic episode where Nathan learns new terms and concepts such as

• Open Spaces
• Local Development Order
• Reserved Matters
• Biodiversity Net Gain
• Call for Sights
• Subdivision of large sites
• HousingDelivery Test  

The National Federation is similar yet different to the Home Builders Federation where you will find the big developers such as Barret Homes.

The NFB has around 1200 menbers of which about 400 are exclusively house builders. These are made up of the SME's who like to deliver a good product. 

Take a listen to this interesting episode

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Nathan was joined by a very special guest on the first episode of a new season sponsored by the Heat Geek Team.

Nathan has been trying to help the heating industry realise there needs to be a paradigm shift in the way we train people. Many people are  now involved in the training and education discourse, but unfortunately they have little understanding around the science of learning. So, for this episode, Nathan interviews one of the world's leading experts on the subject Nick Shackleton Jones.

Nick has worked for Siemens , the BBC and BP and has his own consultancy. Nathan studies the science of learning himself and you will enjoy hearing them discuss psychologists such as Piaget, Vygotsky and Bowlby. There is even a bit of Plato.

Education and learning are two completely distinct things and in fact education gets in the way of learning. We possibly won't break the paradigm of the whole of education but now the world needs to decarbonise can the heating and renewable industry reshape how people learn?

In this episode we also hear Nick discuss his affective context model, which is his general theory of learning

Are we training all the heating engineers we need for the energy transition the right way or are we sticking to convention?

Nick has en excellent book which you can find here.

It is Nathan's favourite book on the subject of learning. Enjoy the show

You can find a discount code to the heat geek course here

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Corrosion is a big problem in wet central heating systems. The water within the heating system is the cheapest yet regarded as the most important component. Unfortunately, it's perhaps the least understood and often neglected.

Many boiler breakdowns are caused by corrosion and in a transition to heat pumps we will need to be careful about water quality.

Nathan chats to his good friend Ricky from Thoroughflush and Simon from elexion about VDI2035.

VDI2035 is a German standard for water quality and unlike the BS7593 (2019) it understands the importance of system design.

Simon explains how in the commercial sector, where heating equipment is very expensive, it is vital to have a good water quality regime. elexion is known for understanding how to condition water using a non chemical method and they were recently involved with the new update to BG50 (BSRIA) which is the bible of water quality used in the industry.

The methods Simon and Ricky uses to test and condition water are now being used in the domestic sector and many of the engineers Nathan has on his show now use this chemical free method to protect heating systems from corrosion.

The method relies on removing the salts and minerals from the fill water which reduces the conductivity of the water and helps slow down the process of corrosion, especially if too much oxygen is getting into the system. This demineralisation process uses ionic exchange. The good news is, if your water tests for low conductivity, good system design (such as the use of a deaeration device) can be all you need

If you are a housing association, university or a Local Authority and you are interested in learning more about water quality contact BetaTeach at learn@betateach.co.uk as Simon and Nathan are able to offer some training around this area.

Some nice science in this episode such as cations and anions, the positive and negative ions found in our tap water such as calcium carbonate.  Like measuring heat loss is so important when working out the design of a heating system, measuring the conductivity and pH of the fill water is also extremely beneficial and can lead to the correct strategy for water quality control. Enjoy the episode

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Nathan chats to a good friend of the podcast, Guy Newey, about decarbonising our homes and heating

Guy is Director of Strategy and Performance at the Energy Systems Catapult - (sponsor of season 3 of BetaTalk) He was the Energy Adviser to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Greg Clark and Special Advisor to former Energy Secretary Amber Rudd. 

He has also worked as Head of Policy at OVO, one of the UK's energy suppliers, and was Head of Environment and Energy at think tank Policy Exchange.

The episode discusses the work at the Energy System Catapult and some of the challenges for home owners. But Nathan and Guy are interested in the business model Heat as a Service or otherwise known as Comfort as a Service. These models can be beneficial to homeowners as well as incentivise innovation, efficient energy use and a race to the top rather than the bottom in the heating sector. 

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Nathan has a conversation with industry veteran Bob Beattie about air to air heat pumps which have been heating and cooling us for many years outside of our homes.

Bob and Nathan discuss mini splits, multi splits and variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems (otherwise known as variable refrigerant volume VRV

Often, discussions around heat pumps in the media only concentrate on air to water heat pumps e.g. air source heat pumps which transfer heat to a wet system such as underfloor or radiator circuits or ground source heat pumps which transferor heat energy to wet heating systems.

Air to air heat pump systems are very efficient and will work well in some domestic situations. They also provide heat removal from a room otherwise known as comfort cooling and often called air conditioning.

Enjoy the episode and please share on social media and with friends and work associates 

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Nathan speaks with his season 4 sponsors Sero and the Welsh Government Optimised Retrofit Programme

Check out what the team all look like here https://youtu.be/vLsZNO9UPuA

Call to action for installers and SME's https://www.optimised-retrofit.wales/partners-procurement-sme/

More info on Sero https://sero.group/press-room/sero-sets-the-standard-for-delivering-zero-carbon-homes/

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky