BetaTalk - The Renewable Energy and Low Carbon Heating Podcast

Clayton (Clay) Brown, a senior figure at EDF Heat Pumps, unwraps their innovative 'Express' initiative designed to streamline heat pump installations. He discusses the initiative's consumer-first focus and how it simplifies the process through technology like Carno software for faster surveys. Clay emphasizes the importance of performance guarantees and quality standards to support installers. With costs aiming to match traditional gas boilers, the initiative seeks to boost consumer adoption and aid gas installers in transitioning to renewables.

Send us a textIn 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 sectorMeet the Guild PatronsGuild 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 MastersGuild Patrons are:Primary ProRenewable CentreCastradsUK Radiators Support the showLearn more about heat pump heating by followingNathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Join Adam Chapman, founder of Heat Geek and heating industry educator, as he unpacks the innovative Zero Disrupt initiative aimed at revolutionizing heat pump installations. Discover how this program enhances affordability and efficiency choices for homeowners while leveraging AI for design optimization. Adam defends Zero Disrupt against industry criticisms, emphasizing its role in raising standards and improving installer earnings. Learn about the unique survey process, the importance of on-site engineers, and how consumer choice is prioritized in design decisions.

Send us a textThis 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.ukSupport the showLearn more about heat pump heating by followingNathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Send us a textNathan 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 neededSupport the showLearn more about heat pump heating by followingNathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Send us a textNathan 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 showLearn more about heat pump heating by followingNathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Nathan welcomes Richard Barwick, a retrofit project manager focused on social housing, Russell Murchie, co-founder of Nusku bringing innovative heat pump solutions, and Christopher Taylor from Vital Energy, who specializes in high-temp heat-pump technology. They explore advancements in heat pump installation efficiency, the impact of archetype-led retrofits for social landlords, and upcoming innovations in thermal storage. The discussion highlights the need for better contractor training and emphasizes cloud monitoring for maintenance, promising an exciting future in low-carbon heating.

Send us a textA 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 CommunicationsEpisode 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/subscribeLorefully AI Report: https://www.lorefully.com/cartCall 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 showLearn more about heat pump heating by followingNathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Send us a textJoin 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 FlywheelThe 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 AcquisitionNathan 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 TechnologyThe 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 IntergasSupport the showLearn more about heat pump heating by followingNathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Send us a textJoin 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 pumpsSupport the showLearn more about heat pump heating by followingNathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky