Net Zero Heating Show

Grant UK

The Net Zero Heating Show is the podcast from Grant UK that explores all things renewables and sustainable in domestic home heating. Members of the Grant Team have been joined by expert guests from the heat pump and renewables sector to discuss the topics that really matter to heating installers and engineers.

  1. Sep 28

    Episode 18: Comfort Cooling – can heat pumps cool you down?

    Following the record-breaking temperatures experienced in Summer 2026, conversations about heat pumps are turning to how this low-carbon technology can be used to cool homes down. This episode of the Net Zero Heating Show explores comfort cooling with air-to-water heat pumps and how it can be used to reduce room temperatures. Join Neil Sawers (Grant UK’s Commercial Technical Manager), Glyn Hudson (Co-Founder of OpenEnergyMonitor) and Ricky Prescott (Director of Thoroughflush Ltd) who talk about what comfort cooling is, its pros and cons, and Glyn and Ricky’s experiences with comfort cooling in their homes using the Grant Aerona 290 heat pump. What’s discussed:  What is the comfort cooling mode on heat pumps and how does it differ to air conditioningUnderstanding the dew point and how to prevent issues caused by condensationGlyn and Ricky’s experiences of comfort cooling having enabled this mode with the Aerona 290 heat pumps installed at their homesThe place for comfort cooling in the retrofit market. Useful resources: To read more about Grant UK’s products, services and training, please visit: www.grantuk.com/professional. For further information about the Aerona 290 air-to-water heat pump range, please head to www.grantuk.com/professional/products/air-source-heat-pumps/r290. You can also learn more about the Aerona Smart Controller here: www.grantuk.com/professional/products/air-source-heat-pumps/aerona-controls. To view the monitoring data of Glyn’s Aerona 290 heat pump, please visit: https://heatpumpmonitor.org/system/view?id=748. To access the monitoring data of the heat pump system discussed in this episode installed in London, please visit: https://heatpumpmonitor.org/system/view?id=876.  More about the guests… Glyn Hudson is a Co-Founder of OpenEnergyMonitor, the open-source energy monitoring project he started with Trystan Lea in 2009/2010. What began as hand-soldered through-hole circuit board kits for enthusiasts has grown into an internationally used ecosystem of open hardware and software for understanding how homes and buildings use energy and how to get the most out of key decarbonisation technologies such as solar, batteries, heat pumps and  EVs. In recent years Glyn's work has focused on heat pumps. His particular contribution to the HeatpumpMonitor project has been turning the emonHP into a pre-configured, straightforward product to install, and liaising directly with installers and end customers to make sure installations go smoothly: the practical groundwork that allows performance data from real UK systems to be collected consistently and compared. Glyn has designed and installed a number of heat pump systems, including the one in his own home, and uses that practical experience to help others learn how to design and install efficient installations through his YouTube channel. Ricky Prescott is the Director of Thoroughflush Ltd. A heating engineer with years of experience installing and working with central heating systems, Ricky now specialises in water quality for heating systems, working closely with installers and engineers and providing simple, effective central heating flushing solutions. This episode was recorded on 25th August 2026. You can also watch this episode of the Net Zero Heating Show on Grant UK’s YouTube channel – please visit www.youtube.com/MyGrantUK.

  2. Aug 28

    Episode 17: Start with Grant – heat pumps in installers’ homes

    How can we encourage more heat pump installers? What are the barriers preventing installers from making the move to working with low-carbon heat pumps? Can living with a heat pump build installers’ confidence in the technology? In this episode of the Net Zero Heating Show, listen to some of the answers to these questions and learn more about Nesta and Grant UK’s initiatives which are helping installers upskill with heat pumps.  Anna Wakefield (Head of Internal Sales and Marketing at Grant UK) is joined by Shaan Jindal, Mission Manager at Nesta, Dave Phillips, Managing Director of D Phillips Plumbing and Heating Ltd, and Robert Lake, Director of RJL Plumbing & Heating, to discuss how schemes, such as Start with Grant, are equipping installers with knowledge and experience by living with a heat pump in their own homes.  What’s discussed:  An introduction to Nesta, what they do and their Start at Home pilotWhat is included in the Start with Grant Scheme and how installers can get a fully funded Aerona 290 heat pump for their homeThe experience of two installers who have been through Start with Grant and are now living with a Grant R290 heat pump in their homesUseful resources: Start with Grant is a scheme run by Grant UK in partnership with Nesta. Through Start with Grant, eligible heating engineers and installers who have not previously worked with heat pumps can access training, system design and technical support to install a fully funded Aerona 290 heat pump system in their home. Terms and Conditions apply. To read more about the eligibility criteria and how to apply, please visit - https://www.grantuk.com/professional/support/start-with-grant/.  For further information about the Aerona 290 air-to-water heat pump range, please head to https://www.grantuk.com/professional/products/air-source-heat-pumps/r290/.  Shaan Jindal is a Mission Manager in Nesta’s Sustainable Future mission, which focuses on accelerating the decarbonisation of home heating in the UK. Shaan leads research and innovation projects that aim to make it easier for gas and oil heating engineers to start installing heat pumps, such as Start at Home. He also leads the team’s work on the role of air-to-air heat pumps as a solution for decarbonising home heating. Dave Phillips is the Managing Director of D Phillips Plumbing and Heating Ltd based in Peterborough. Dave has been working in the plumbing and heating sector for 24 years, installing, servicing and maintaining gas and oil boiler central heating systems throughout his career.  Robert Lake is a heating engineer who worked for a local installation business before starting his own company in 2007, RJL Plumbing and Heating based in Gloucestershire. As a sole trader, Robert has worked with new installations and maintenance for domestic gas and oil-fired heating systems, commercial gas and more recently, he has started sub-contracted work for local builders. This episode was recorded on 21st July 2026.

  3. 08/01/2025

    Episode 15: R290 in Focus – the future of heat pump refrigerants

    What is driving the shift to R290 refrigerant? Listen to this episode for some of the answers. In this episode of the Net Zero Heating Show, Matthew Beales, one of Grant UK’s Regional Sales Managers, is joined by Kelvin Kelly from Business Edge Ltd, and Rob Dyer, a Technical Sales Support Engineer at Grant UK, to discuss the adoption of R290 refrigerant in air source heat pumps and what it means for installers. Plus, listen to on-the-ground insight from InstallerSHOW 2025 to hear interviews from installers who have worked with the Aerona 290 heat pump and its controls.  What’s discussed: The differences between R32 and R290 refrigerant What installers need to know about working with R290 heat pumpsLegislation and standards Feedback from installers who have fitted a Grant R290 heat pump in their homesUseful resources: Grant UK’s Aerona 290 heat pump range launched in 2024 and features five R290 heat pump models, available in outputs from 4kW up to 15.5kW – discover the range here: www.grantuk.com/professional/products/air-source-heat-pumps/r290/. For free heat pump training, Grant UK’s Training Academy deliver a 1-day Aerona 290 Heat Pump Installer Course – enquire here: www.grantuk.com/professional/training/courses/grant-aerona-r290-air-source-heat-pumps/. Kelvin Kelly is the Training Director for Business Edge Ltd, Chairman of the Air Conditioning Industry Board Training and Skills Committee, and a Fellow of the Institute of Refrigeration. For over 40 years, Kelvin has been working in the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump industry and specifically in training and assessment for 35 years. He was involved in the creation of the current F-Gas assessment for two out of the three schemes in the UK and has also been involved in supporting training and assessment schemes in developing countries.  Rob Dyer has been working in the heating industry for over 20 years, starting his career with specialising in controls wiring and HVAC systems in the commercial sector before moving into the domestic and commercial renewables sector as an installer. With experience in MCS installations, Rob has worked with a wide variety of renewable heating systems from biomass and solar PV through to solar thermal and air source heat pumps. In 2022, Rob joined Grant UK as their Technical Sales Support Engineer for the East of England and the Midlands, providing on-site heat pump and controls support for installers and other customers.  This episode was recorded on 7th July 2025.

  4. 10/10/2024

    Episode 14: Getting smart with heat pump controls

    Join Rob Dyer, one of Grant UK’s Technical Sales Support Engineers, who talks to Damon Blakemore, of Blakemore Renewables, to discuss the important role that controls play in an air source heat pump system. During this episode, Rob and Damon talk about the different types of heat pump systems, load compensation and the heating curve, and the ways a heat pump controller can positively or negatively affect a system. Damon also shares insight into some of his recent heat pump installations and installing Grant’s Aerona Smart Controller.  What’s discussed:  S-Plan and Open Loop air source heat pump systemsThe role of correctly set-up heat pump controlsInstalling the Aerona Smart Controller and its core featuresUseful resources: To read more about the Aerona Smart Heat Pump Controller and to access the technical specifications and manual for this product, please visit www.grantuk.com/professional/products/air-source-heat-pumps/aerona-controls. If you are interested in product training on the Aerona Smart Controller, which is provided in the free 1-day Aerona 290 Installer course, please visit www.grantuk.com/professional/training/courses/grant-aerona-r290-air-source-heat-pumps or contact Grant UK’s Training Team directly via training@grantuk.com. Damon Blakemore has been working in the plumbing and heating industry for nearly 20 years. In recent years, he has discovered a real passion for renewables and Damon has been recognised as one of the leading renewable specialists in the North of England, winning Installer of the Year for Yorkshire and the Humber in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Based in Sheffield, Blakemore Renewables has completed projects nationwide and Damon’s dedication to the renewables sector has also seen him receive several national awards, including winning Silver National Winner and Most Sustainable Installer 2024. This episode was recorded on 29th August 2024. To watch this episode of the Net Zero Heating Show, please visit Grant UK’s YouTube Channel to view the video - www.youtube.com/MyGrantUK.

  5. 07/05/2024

    Episode 13: Mental health in the heating sector

    Join Matthew Beales, Regional Sales Manager at Grant UK, and Rob Muldoon from the Mind Your Head Podcast as they talk about the important subject of mental health and wellbeing in the heating sector and wider construction industry. Matthew and Rob openly discuss the stresses faced by professionals working in these sectors as well the support available. What’s discussed:  Common worries and stresses for heating professionalsPersonal experiences and the importance of talkingResources available to support mental wellbeingUseful resources: A wide range of help and support is available, whether you need someone to listen and talk to or want to access online resources. Follow the links below to view the extensive resources available to help mental health in the workspace: Mind Your Head Podcast – www.themyhpodcast.co.ukConstruction Industry Helpline - www.constructionindustryhelpline.com Samaritans - www.samaritans.org Lighthouse Club - www.lighthouseclub.org Mind - www.mind.org.ukRob Muldoon has been involved in the construction industry for 24 years, starting his career as an apprentice brick layer and now working as Project Manager. Rob founded the Mind Your Heat Podcast to help everyone who is working in the construction industry, whatever sector. Through his podcast and his nationwide talks, Rob strives to raise awareness about mental health, giving hope to listeners and letting people know they are not alone. This episode was recorded on 22nd May 2024.

  6. 07/05/2024

    Episode 12: Upscaling heat pump installations – how will we do it?

    Join Terry Townend, Area Sales Manager at Grant UK, as he welcomes Griff Thomas from GTEC and Jez Climas from City Plumbing Supplies to discuss how the heat pump sector will achieve the installation targets set for the coming years. Terry, Griff and Jez discuss the opportunities and challenges around upscaling air source heat pump installations for heating engineers and merchants.  What’s discussed:  Government targets and legislationBoiler Upgrade Scheme and MCSHeat pump training for installersUseful resources: Grant UK supply the award winning Aerona³ R32 air source heat pump range, the innovative Aerona Smart Controller and heat pump installation accessories. Discover their products here: www.grantuk.com/professional/products/air-source-heat-pumps. To access further information about the courses delivered by Grant UK’s Training Academy, please visit www.grantuk.com/professional/training. Griff Thomas is a renewables expert having overseen the development of many national renewable technology standards. He is the Managing Director at GTEC, a leading renewables training provider, delivering courses for heat pumps, solar and much more. Griff is also the MD for Heatly, an app which is in development that will provide a one-stop solution for the survey, design, installation and commissioning of heat pump systems.  Jez Climas is the Head of Business Development for Renewables at City Plumbing Supplies. His career in renewables includes being a Building Services Consultant for 15 years before joining the merchant sector where he strives to make the lives of installers much easier when it comes to heat pump and renewable installations.  This episode was recorded on 28th May 2024.

About

The Net Zero Heating Show is the podcast from Grant UK that explores all things renewables and sustainable in domestic home heating. Members of the Grant Team have been joined by expert guests from the heat pump and renewables sector to discuss the topics that really matter to heating installers and engineers.

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