Piped Up

Rob Nezard
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Piped Up is a UK heating and trades podcast hosted by Rob (Founder of UKRadiators.com) and James, a heating engineer with 20 years’ experience. Unfiltered opinions, debates, and real reactions from inside the trade — covering the realities of heating, business, and life on the tools. Rob brings the business perspective. James brings real-world experience. 🎥 Full episodes on YouTube 📱 Daily clips across social 🎧 Audio available everywhere Made for heating engineers, plumbers, tradespeople — and anyone who can handle honest opinions without the PR polish.

Episodes

  1. Plumber in Parliament, Iran War Energy Crisis and the Phone Screen Fuse Test

    17 MAR

    Plumber in Parliament, Iran War Energy Crisis and the Phone Screen Fuse Test

    Episode was recorded on 3rd March 2026 Welcome back to Piped Up – and this time we're covering the first plumber in Parliament, how Iran tensions could spike UK energy bills, and we have the finale of Callum’s quiz. We dive into your comments on drill bit terminology, and a question for the audience about three-port and two-port valve brands. We kick things off with the news that Hannah Spencer, a plumber, has just been elected to Parliament for the Green Party in the Gorton and Denton by-election. She won a seat that's been Labour for decades, with Reform coming second and Labour finishing last. We dig into whether she's a genuine tradesperson or just using the plumber label for political optics – she is very much qualified, though we couldn't find much of her work online as she seems to have worked with Eon. The lads joke about whether it's convenient for the Greens to have a plumber to push their net zero agenda, but ultimately give her credit for being in the trade and making it to Westminster. From there, we get into the Iran conflict and the Strait of Hormuz crisis. With tensions escalating and Iran threatening to attack ships passing through one of the world's most critical oil transit routes, shipping lines are refusing to take the risk. The strait wasn’t officially closed, but the threat is real enough that vessels are avoiding it entirely – and that means higher energy prices for the UK. We discuss the impact on freight, oil supply, and whether this could derail the expected energy price cap drop in April. Rob also shares his perspective as someone who's half Iranian, talking about how the regime has affected his family and why regime change could genuinely improve life for millions of Iranians. On the lighter side, we play the pair compete to be the ultimate winner of Callum’s quiz and it’s a real beatdown in the first half… We also react to audience comments, including: The drill bit controversy – James called a hex masonry bit an "SDS bit" in a previous video, and the pedants came out in force. We clarify what he meant (a bit that goes in an impact driver for drilling masonry, not an actual SDS drill bit), and discuss why most people just found the tip helpful rather than getting hung up on terminology. A genius fuse-checking hack – using your phone's touchscreen to test continuity. If the fuse is blown, the circuit is broken and your screen won't respond. If it's working, the button activates. Simple, effective, and no multimeter needed. Tool regrets – we asked what tools people bought that promised the earth but delivered nothing. Answers included olive pullers (grips do the job), Joker spanners being too bulky (though James still rates them for certain situations), and Black Mamba gloves (which James actually rates as better than standard latex gloves). Van security tips – from ghost immobilisers to parking in well-lit areas, and even covering your van with fake asbestos clearance or funeral service signs to deter thieves. James also teases his next hack – bringing in his Monument bender to demonstrate proper copper pipe bending techniques for radiator tails and compression fittings. He promises to show the angles and tricks he's learned from YouTube, which should be useful for plumbers in college or anyone looking to up their pipework game. We wrap up with a question for the audience: What's your preferred three-port and two-port valve brand? Honeywell, Drayton, Danfoss, EPH? What do you prefer fitting, why do you avoid certain brands, and have you had any recurring issues? Let us know in the comments! Whether you're an installer navigating rising energy costs and industry changes, a homeowner trying to understand your heating system, or just here for the trade banter and practical tips – this episode delivers. Looking for Radiators or valves? Check out https://ukradiators.com/ Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:30 Plumber in Parliament 00:11:18 Iran War and Energy Crisis Impact 00:25:50 Wheel of Fortune Quiz Finale 00:30:45 Drill Bit Controversy and Comments 00:41:17 Disappointing Tools Discussion 00:46:44 Van Security Tips from Viewers 00:49:12 Silicon Spray Hack Reactions 00:51:58 Best 2/3 Port Valve Brands

    1hr 51min
  2. Net Zero Reality Check, Heat Pump Myths Busted and Why Rob Hates Eon

    3 MAR

    Net Zero Reality Check, Heat Pump Myths Busted and Why Rob Hates Eon

    Welcome back to Piped Up – and this time we're tackling Tony Blair's net zero reset, debunking the myth that TRVs don't work with heat pumps, and Rob shares his absolute nightmare dealing with Eon's billing chaos. Plus, we've got round 2 of Callum’s quiz, James clears up concerns around the Wera Joker wrench and shows off a £2 Temu pipe cleaner, and a question for the audience that's guaranteed to get the comments section buzzing. We kick things off with some positive news for the industry – the launch of the Guild of Master Heat Engineers, a new initiative by Nathan Gambling from BetaTeach. Unlike traditional trade memberships, this one is peer-reviewed and merit-based – installers don't pay to join, they're recognised by other respected engineers for the quality of their work. It's designed to raise standards across the board, especially with the shift towards heat pumps and low-carbon heating. From there, Rob launches into his ongoing battle with Eon. Back in 2022, they moved his account to a new tariff but stopped billing him for gas entirely – while still charging for electric. He didn't notice until October when a debt collector showed up demanding £2,500 and threatening to force entry and fit a prepayment meter. Since then, he's been stuck in a complaints loop for months. The kicker? They're trying to backbill beyond the legal 12-month limit and ignoring their own complaints procedures. Rob's had enough! We dive into some newly released guidance backed by BEAMA that officially debunks the myth that TRVs don't work with heat pumps. For years, there's been concern that TRVs cause cycling and reduce efficiency in low-temperature systems. But new testing shows that when systems are properly sized and balanced, TRVs actually improve comfort by giving room-by-room control – especially useful when different spaces heat up at different rates due to sunlight, usage or heat loss. Then we get into Tony Blair's Think Tank report calling for a reset on net zero policy. The report argues that while most people support climate action in principle, confidence drops when it feels expensive or disconnected from real-world impact. They're calling for less emphasis on rigid targets and more focus on tangible benefits – lower bills, energy security, economic growth, and investment in scalable tech like nuclear, carbon capture and large-scale afforestation. We discuss why this is basically what sensible people have been saying for years, and whether Labour will actually listen or just keep pushing ahead regardless. We return for round 2 of Callum’s Wheel of Fortune-style quiz game – A close game but we can only have one winner! We also give a shoutout to Pipe and Skill, a channel that produces genuinely valuable educational content on copper work and plumbing fundamentals. They were getting unfair hate in the comments for demo work that was clearly designed for teaching beginners, so we wanted to highlight the quality of what they're doing and push back against the negativity. Then we react to audience comments, including: A bizarre exchange where someone accused us of being wrong about TRVs and flow temperatures – then proceeded to agree with everything we'd said in the video. Rob offered to pay for travel and accommodation to get them on the podcast. No reply yet. A YouTube comment calling us "two of the most unlikeable muppets I've ever seen" – which we found hilarious, especially since they clearly can't stop watching. Debate around the Joker wrench – whether it crushes nuts, scratches chrome TRV caps, or is too bulky for tight spaces. Spoiler: it doesn't crush anything, it's gentle on chrome, and if you can fit a Bahco in there, you can fit this. An interesting comment from a US viewer saying that in America, DeWalt is thought to be better than Milwaukee – which sparked a whole side debate on tool brand preferences across the pond. James shows off his latest tool hack, a pipe cleaner from Temu that works on impact drivers. We wrap up with an audience question: What's the best gas analyser brand? What do you use, why do you prefer it, and what issues have you had? Let us know in the comments! Whether you're an installer navigating the heat pump transition, a homeowner trying to understand your heating options, or just here for the tool hacks, industry gossip and trade banter – this episode delivers. Looking for Radiators or valves? Check out https://ukradiators.com/ Chapters 00:00:00 What's To Come 00:00:30 Guild of Master Heat Engineers 00:09:52 Rob's Nightmare with Eon 00:13:05 Heat Pump Plans and Off-Grid Dreams 00:15:00 TRVs and Heat Pumps: Debunking the Myths 00:21:47 Tony Blair's Net Zero Reality Check 00:34:12 Wheel of Fortune Quiz Game 00:40:13 Battle In the Comments 00:48:04 Shoutout: Pipe and Skill Educational Content 00:58:12 Tool Talk: Joker Wrench Concerns & £2 Temu Pipe Cleaner 01:05:13 Audience Question: Best Gas Analyzer

    2h 18m
  3. Biggest Tool Theft Ever, Biogas vs Heat Pumps and Vaillant Wins (Kind Of)

    17 FEB

    Biggest Tool Theft Ever, Biogas vs Heat Pumps and Vaillant Wins (Kind Of)

    Welcome back to Piped Up – and this time we're covering the biggest tool theft recovery in UK history, a heated debate on heat pumps vs biogas, and why Vaillant just won the internet's favourite boiler brand poll (kind of). Plus, we've got a tool hack, a brand-new quiz game, and a question for the audience that's guaranteed to start a war in the comments. We kick things off with some genuinely brilliant news: police have recovered what's believed to be the largest stash of stolen tools ever found in the UK – roughly £2 million worth, spread across 10 lorry loads seized in a raid in Ilford, East London. The discovery came after a tradesperson left an AirTag on stolen equipment and tracked it to the warehouse. Three people have been arrested, and officers are now working to reunite tradespeople with their gear. From there, we dive into Ed Miliband's £15 billion Warm Homes Plan – and why trading standards are warning it could open the door for cowboy builders. The scheme is designed to fund heat pumps, insulation, and solar panels, but past programmes like ECO4 have led to horror stories: badly sized heat pumps, botched insulation causing damp and mould, and homeowners left with higher bills instead of savings. We discuss whether mandatory licensing for installers – similar to Gas Safe – is the answer, and what it would take to actually protect consumers and taxpayers. Then we get into the biogas vs heat pump debate, sparked by a new report from Dale Vince – founder of green energy company Ecotricity. The report argues that electricity costs roughly four times more than gas, meaning heat pumps need to be about four times more efficient to break even. In reality, they're running closer to three times efficiency, pushing bills up rather than down for many households. Nearly seven in ten heat pump owners surveyed said their heating costs had increased, with most not seeing the savings they expected. On the practical side, James shares his latest hack – using car mechanic fuel filter grips (£8 on Amazon) to remove magnetic filters instead of hunting for the right plastic key every time. It's a simple, universal tool that bites onto the filter cap and makes servicing so much easier. We also debut a brand-new quiz game – Wheel of Fortune style – with Rob and James going head-to-head answering questions from categories including myths and misconceptions, plumbing fundamentals, real-world scenarios, and fault-finding. Then we reveal the results of last week's boiler brand poll – nearly 250 comments analysed by ChatGPT. The winner? Vaillant (with 38% of mentions and 46% of likes), though the top comment wasn't even about the boiler – it was people roasting James for pronouncing it "Valiant" with an extra 'i'. Worcester Bosch came second, followed by Baxi, Ideal, Viessmann, and ATAG. Ferroli mostly just got laughed at. We also react to audience comments, including: The £30-per-year gas boiler penalty charge – and whether it'll be landlords or tenants who end up paying A nightmare job where James had to rip out a gas boiler and install an electric boiler because the gas pipe was inaccessible under a car park – leaving the tenant with astronomical electric bills and no other option More reactions to the five-day plumbing course – including people getting blocked in the comments, and the realisation that the course creators are probably just scraping TikTok for training material We wrap up with a question for the audience: What's your preferred power tool brand? Milwaukee, DeWalt, Makita, Bosch, Festool, Parkside? Let us know in the comments what you use, what you prefer, and why it's better than the others. Whether you're an installer navigating the heat pump debate, a homeowner trying to understand your options, or just here for the tool hacks and trade banter – this episode delivers. Looking for Radiators or valves? Check out https://ukradiators.com/ Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:00:15 Massive Tool Theft Recovery: £2 Million Stash Uncovered 00:01:46 Tool Security and Tracking Solutions 00:10:43 Tool Markets and the Stolen Goods Trade 00:12:37 Warm Homes Plan and Cowboy Builder Warnings 00:22:37 Heat Pump Debate: Dale Vince Report Controversy 00:34:02 Latest Hack: Filter Removal Tool 00:35:43 Wheel of Fortune Quiz Game 00:41:54 Best Boiler Brand Results Revealed 00:46:32 Audience Comments and Industry Discussion 00:56:33 Question For The Audience: Best Power Tool Brand

    57 min
  4. Trade price rises, Illegal gas work and the £5 Temu Tool That Delivers.

    3 FEB

    Trade price rises, Illegal gas work and the £5 Temu Tool That Delivers.

    Welcome back to Piped Up – Episode 4! This time we're diving into trade price rises, illegal gas work scandals, communal heating regulation, and some brilliant tool hacks and tips that'll save you time, money and hassle on the job. Plus, we're answering your questions on balancing radiators, system pressure, and cleaning those dusty convectors. We kick things off with the 2026 price rise debate. Heating engineer Ian Briggs polled his followers on whether they're hiking rates this year – and 58% said yes. With fuel costs, materials, and overheads climbing, many are eyeing a move from £90 to £95+ for a standard boiler service. James weighs in on the psychology of pricing: why small, regular increases beat big jumps, and how waiting too long to raise your rates forces you into painful hikes later. We want to hear from installers in the audience – are you putting your prices up in 2026, or holding steady? Next up: heat networks are finally getting regulated. From 27th January 2026, Ofgem's new consumer protection rules bring communal plant rooms and HIU systems under formal oversight for the first time. For anyone working on block heating schemes, this means higher standards, better documentation, and stricter accountability. James shares his experience working on communal plant rooms – from old, knackered boilers in deprived areas to reactive callout programs keeping things limping along. We discuss what this regulation could mean for upgrades, efficiency improvements, and the admin burden on contractors. Then we get into the illegal gas work stories that just won't go away. Two separate court cases highlight the dangers: one unregistered fitter in Torquay left a home with an immediately dangerous gas leak, while a father-and-son duo in Cheshire signed off dodgy installs without proper checks – including flue defects that risked carbon monoxide poisoning. Sentences ranged from suspended prison terms to community orders and compensation, but the real question is: why is this still happening in 2025/26? James shares a shocking real-world example – servicing a friend's mum's boiler and discovering a push-fit plastic cap on a live gas pipe, left behind by kitchen fitters who clearly had no idea what they were doing. The tightness test failed spectacularly, gas was leaking behind a cupboard, and it could've been catastrophic. It's a stark reminder: gas work isn't DIY territory, and homeowners need to verify engineers are Gas Safe registered before any work begins. On the practical side, we dive into: Hack of the Week – Using SDS drill bits in an impact driver. James was sceptical at first, but this £7 Bosch bit drills into brick like a beast and saves you lugging around a heavy SDS drill for smaller jobs. Perfect for hanging rads or running pipework. Tool Tip – The underrated aircon spanner with a quarter-square ratchet port. Originally for backseat valves, it's brilliant for pump valves and drain-offs. JAVAC ones are £20, but you can grab a Temu version for a fiver. The £5 Temu Tool That Delivers – James admits he buys certain consumables and gizmos on Temu (foldable buckets, deburring tools, part cleaners) and they genuinely do the job. High-end spanners and power tools? Stick with Wera and CK. But for simple bits? Temu's worth a punt. We also tackle audience questions, including: How to balance radiators when you don't know the circuit order – James explains how to identify the closest rad to the boiler (or flying return on system boilers), the importance of opening all TRVs fully before balancing, and why towel rails are the biggest offenders for hogging heat. How to check if your heating system is low pressure – where to find the gauge, what pressure you should be aiming for (around 1 bar), and why you might be constantly topping up (hint: it's probably a flat expansion vessel causing your PRV to discharge). The easiest way to clean radiators properly – skip the TikTok hacks involving buckets of water. Just get a radiator brush, push it down between the convector fins, and hoover up the dust. Simple. Whether you're an installer navigating price rises and new regulations, a homeowner trying to keep your system running efficiently, or just here for the tool tips and trade banter – this episode delivers. Question for the audience: What's a gadget or tool that you bought that promised miracles but did absolutely nothing? Let us know in the comments! Looking for Radiators or valves? Check out https://ukradiators.com/ Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:00:18 Trade Price Rises: The 2026 Debate 00:04:09 Heat Networks: New Ofgem Regulations 00:08:19 Illegal Gas Work: Recent Prosecutions 00:16:03 Hack of the Week: SDS Bits in Impact Drivers 00:18:10 Tool Tip: The Five Pound Temu Spanner 00:22:29 Audience Questions: Balancing Radiators 00:28:06 Understanding System Pressure and Gauges 00:33:53 Cleaning Radiators: The Proper Method 00:35:40 Question For The Audience

    1hr 13min
  5. Tool Theft Justice, Energy Price Cuts and James Gets Challenged by Milwaukee

    20 JAN

    Tool Theft Justice, Energy Price Cuts and James Gets Challenged by Milwaukee

    Welcome back to Piped Up – Episode 3! We're kicking off the new year with the biggest news stories shaking up the trade, real-world installation expertise, and a brand-new segment: tool reviews. Plus, we're diving into your comments as the show continues to blow up across social media. We start with some genuinely good news for tradespeople – new sentencing laws targeting tool theft from vans. For too long, having your livelihood stolen has been treated like petty shoplifting, but this new legislation changes the game. We break down: How the law now factors in loss of earnings and the real damage caused when someone's tools are nicked James' own experiences having his van broken into twice – including the infamous Transit drill-and-pop method The organised gangs operating in retail car parks and the stolen tool markets across London Practical tips from the audience on deadlocks, alarm sensors, and parking strategies to protect your gear From there, we get into the £30-per-year gas boiler penalty charge being floated by the government – a proposed levy to fund heat pump grants and low-carbon heating. The problem? It's taxing everyone to subsidise wealthier households who are the main adopters of heat pumps. We discuss whether it's fair, where the money's really going, and how it fits into the wider net zero agenda. On a brighter note, we cover the 8% drop in the energy price cap from April – saving households around £138 per year. It's the lowest cap since September 2024, thanks to policy costs being shifted off bills and onto general taxation. We talk about what this means for installers, customers, and whether it's sustainable long-term given the grid investment still needed. Then we revisit that five-day plumbing course we flagged last episode – and it turns out the Daily Mail went undercover to expose it. The course, run by "Plumbers Gold Mine Academy," charged £395 and promised beginners could gain years of experience in under a week. What they actually got was sales tactics, pricing manipulation advice, and a jig with speedfit fittings. The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineers has condemned it, reminding everyone that plumbing is a four-year apprenticeship, not a weekend crash course. We react to the footage – including the instructor in a literal cowboy hat – and discuss the dangers of fast-track "qualifications." On the practical side, James walks through: A nightmare atmospheric burner install – diagnosing ignition issues, earthing electrodes, and what it would cost to fix properly His latest installation hack – using silicone spray on valves before isolating them to stop drips and save you from having to drain down and replace leaking service valves Tool reviews – including the Monument rad key with built-in lockshield slots (£3 and a game-changer), and the Wera Joker spanner (£65-70 but worth every penny for compression work in tight spaces) We also dive into audience engagement, reacting to comments from TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram about: Heat pumps – noise complaints, MCS admin struggles, and whether they're really worth it Heating tips – timer debates, TRV confusion, and whether electric blankets or holidays are the real money savers The electric pipe cutter debate – James clarifies his stance (domestic vs commercial, arthritis considerations, and why he still prefers a Rothenberger hand cutter for most jobs) Milwaukee's National Sales Manager challenges James to compare his pipe slice with their iNox version – challenge accepted! We wrap up with a question for the audience: What's your favourite boiler brand? Ideal, Worcester, Vaillant, Baxi, Glow-worm? Let us know in the comments what you prefer fitting, what's easiest to work on, and what you'd recommend to customers. Whether you're an installer, a homeowner, or just here for the banter and real-world trade talk – this episode has it all. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:00:48 Tool Theft Justice: New Sentencing Laws 00:06:55 Gas Boiler Penalty Charge Proposal 00:09:29 Energy Price Cap Drop from April 00:12:18 Five-Day Plumbing Course Exposed 00:17:48 Nightmare Install: Atmospheric Burner Diagnosis 00:21:34 Installation Hack: Silicone Spray for Valves 00:23:32 Tool Review: Monument Rad Key and Joker Spanner 00:26:55 Audience Engagement: Comments and Reactions 00:41:22 James' Question For The Audience

    1hr 27min
  6. Government U-Turns, Heat Pump Chaos and Heat Geek's AI Revolution

    27/12/2025

    Government U-Turns, Heat Pump Chaos and Heat Geek's AI Revolution

    Recorded before Labour’s November 2025 Budget. Since we hit record, the rumoured cuts to the heat pump grant did not happen – but the EV tax plans are very real and still coming down the road. In this episode, you’ll hear our live reaction to those rumours as they were breaking, plus a deep dive into what they would have meant for installers and homeowners. We start with the talk of slashing the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to low-income households only, and what that would do to the thousands of small heating businesses that retrained, retooled and invested on the promise of long-term heat pump support. Was the UK ever really serious about net zero – or was it always politics first, policy later? From there we get into: EV pay-per-mile taxes – how road pricing could hit drivers who went electric in good faith, and why new levies feel like moving the goalposts mid-game. Digital IDs & control – joking (kind of) about a future where your car won’t even start if your tax isn’t paid, and how fast we’re sliding into an always-on, always-tracked digital world. Bill Gates’ climate “U-turn” – reacting to a viral clip where Gates plays down climate as an existential threat after years of catastrophic messaging. We unpack what’s spin, what’s fair, and what it means for public trust. Climate anxiety & developing nations – are young people being scared into hopelessness, and are poorer countries being held back by Western net zero expectations while we still burn the bulk of the fossil fuels? On the technical side, we explore: Heat pumps vs air con – why air-to-air systems (air con used for heating) are finally getting a look-in on grants, and when they make more sense than traditional air-to-water heat pumps. Heat Geek’s “Zero Disrupt” AI platform – an app that scans your home, designs a system and guarantees a real-world efficiency. We break down how it works, what it could mean for pricing, and whether it really solves the disruption problem. Of course, it wouldn’t be Piped Up without some chaos from the field: A mysteriously “screwed” pipe that might just be content bait A genuinely dangerous cylinder install that needs ripping out and redoing A radiator pipework monstrosity that should be a crime against copper James walks through what’s wrong, how to fix it properly, and what you’d realistically pay. We also react to a 5-day plumbing course doing the rounds on social media, and talk honestly about competency, qualifications and why shortcuts in training usually end up as someone else’s nightmare job. To round things off, James shares life two weeks into going fully self-employed – the freedom, the stress, chasing invoices, sourcing parts yourself, and why he still wouldn’t go back. If you care about where UK heating, energy policy, AI and the trade are really heading – beyond the headlines and marketing – this episode is for you. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction and Industry Updates 00:00:50 Heat Pump Grant Cuts: Rumor or Reality? 00:07:59 Electric Vehicle Pay-Per-Mile Tax Proposal 00:14:35 The Future of Energy: Nuclear, AI, and Automation 00:16:15 Bill Gates' Climate U-Turn 00:25:51 Heat Geek's Zero Disrupt: AI-Powered Heat Pump Design 00:34:14 Air-to-Air Heat Pumps Added to Grant Scheme 00:40:01 The Five-Day Plumbing Course Controversy 00:45:12 Nightmare Installs: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly 00:59:22 Life as a Self-Employed Heating Engineer 01:08:03 Behind the Scenes: Column Radiator Installation Challenges 01:13:25 Growing the Podcast and Final Thoughts

    1hr 14min

  7. 12/12/2025

    Bodge Jobs, Nuclear Power and the Future of UK Heating

    Bodge Jobs, Nuclear Power and the Future of UK Heating Welcome to the very first episode of Piped Up! In this inaugural episode, we're diving deep into the heating industry with 20-year veteran engineer James, exploring everything from the biggest myths plaguing the sector to the future of UK heating.  What We Cover: We kick things off by tackling industry myths, with James sharing his controversial take on the heat pump agenda and net zero targets. Is the push towards heat pumps really viable for older UK properties? We discuss the massive conversions required, the costs involved, and whether it's all worth it - plus James reveals why he thinks we should just "frack oil and carry on using gas." The myth of "efficient radiators" gets exposed as we break down why radiators can't be efficient in isolation - it's all about the system as a whole. We also explore the misinformation rampant in online marketing and why proper system design matters more than flashy product claims.  Question of the Week: We asked our audience about heating hacks that failed spectacularly, and the answers are hilarious - from cling film on windows to shelves collapsing above radiators. Instead, we give you THREE ACTUAL TIPS for saving money on heating bills, including lowering flow temperatures, balancing your system properly, and installing weather compensation controls.  Horror Stories from the Field: James reviews some of the worst installation jobs found on the internet, breaking down exactly what's wrong with botched cylinder installations, terrible radiator pipework, and dangerous boiler setups. From missing expansion vessels to polystyrene behind radiator brackets, we cover the costs to fix these nightmares (spoiler: it's not cheap). We also discuss essential tools - including the one tool everyone thinks they need but really don't - and common mistakes when installing column radiators for the first time.  The Big Picture: The conversation shifts to the future of UK heating, covering the controversy around Octopus Energy and British Gas advertising heat pumps for £500, the reality of government grants, and whether the net zero transition is realistic for the UK. We explore nuclear power as a potential solution, discussing new SMR technology from Rolls Royce and why nuclear might be the only way to make electric heating truly viable. Plus, we touch on some wild government experiments with cloud seeding and weather manipulation - because apparently blocking the sun while investing in solar panels makes perfect sense.  Key Takeaways: • The truth about heat pump installations and hidden costs • Why radiator efficiency claims are mostly marketing BS • Real money-saving tips for your heating system • What goes wrong in botched heating installations • The role of nuclear power in the UK's energy future • Practical advice for engineers transitioning from commercial to domestic work Whether you're a heating professional, a homeowner trying to understand your system, or just curious about the future of UK heating, this episode delivers straight talk, technical expertise, and plenty of laughs along the way. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction and Industry Myths 00:03:33 The Myth of Efficient Radiators 00:06:38 Question of the Week: Failed Heating Hacks 00:11:43 Top Tips for Saving Money on Heating Bills 00:15:24 Bodge Jobs: Horror Stories from the Field 00:40:59 Installation Tips and Common Mistakes 00:43:44 Commercial vs Domestic Heating Work 00:50:50 Starting Your Own Heating Business 00:53:49 Heat Pumps, Grants, and Misleading Claims 01:04:03 The Future of UK Heating: Nuclear Power 01:09:01 Cloud Seeding and Closing Thoughts

    1hr 12min
  • 7 Episodes

About

Piped Up is a UK heating and trades podcast hosted by Rob (Founder of UKRadiators.com) and James, a heating engineer with 20 years’ experience. Unfiltered opinions, debates, and real reactions from inside the trade — covering the realities of heating, business, and life on the tools. Rob brings the business perspective. James brings real-world experience. 🎥 Full episodes on YouTube 📱 Daily clips across social 🎧 Audio available everywhere Made for heating engineers, plumbers, tradespeople — and anyone who can handle honest opinions without the PR polish.

Information

  • Creator
    Rob Nezard
  • Years Active
    2k
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Explicit