Serious about sustainability

Hosted by Mitsubishi Electric Ecodan

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Jan 2024

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About the show

Serious about sustainability is a podcast series brought to you by Mitsubishi Electric's Ecodan – air source heat pump. Through a series of guest interviews including architect and Ecodan Ambassador, George Clarke, the podcast series covers a range of topics, from the perspective of UK homeowners, self-builders, contractors, and housing associations. The show promotes greater awareness of renewable, heat pump technology, helping to build a sustainable, zero-carbon future for home heating.

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20 recent

January 3, 2024Episode 2034 min

Ep20 High-Temperature Heat Pumps: The Future

In this episode, architect and Ecodan Ambassador George Clarke is in conversation with James Chaplen, Head of Product Marketing & Communications at Mitsubishi Electric and Rob Hicks, Asset Sustainability Manager at Sovereign Network Group. James introduces the latest Ecodan R290 heat pump and why it is setting new standards for performance and sustainability. He explains how the latest high-temperature products will reshape the UK residential retrofit market. Rob discusses Sovereign Network Group's 'Roadmap for Change' strategy and how the R290 will accelerate the decarbonisation of their social housing stock, helping to lift more people out of fuel poverty. This episode was recorded on the 21st of November 2023. 01:17 / Introducing the Ecodan R290 01:52 / What is a high-temperature heat pump? 03:40 / Retrofit opportunities for R290 08:00 / Matching fossil fuel boiler temperatures 11:50 / R290 refrigerant benefits 16:05 / Mitsubishi Electric Ecodan 16:30 / Sovereign Network Group 18:00 / A roadmap to change 21:35 / Comfort, carbon and cost 24:30 / Costing for decarbonisation 31:00 / Reducing fuel poverty https://les.mitsubishielectric.co.uk/products/residential-heating/outdoor/ecodan-r290 www.sng.org.uk

January 9, 2023Episode 191 hr 0 min

Ep19 Supporting Social Housing For Net Zero

In this episode, Ecodan’s Russell Dean is in conversation with Architect and Ecodan Ambassador George Clarke, and James Mealing, ex-Director at Blueflame. James discusses his 15 years of experience with renewable energy and installing air source heat pumps for social housing developments. James highlights getting the fundamentals right for a successful social housing heat pump project. The group discusses running costs compared with oil and gas boilers, the funding streams available to UK housing associations and what a long-term approach towards healthier homes will mean for tenant wellbeing. This episode was recorded on the 6th of September 2022. 1:00 / James Mealing 4:07 / How heat pump technology has improved 8:00 / User-friendly controls 9:37 / The perfect Ecodan set-up 10:35 / Getting it right for social housing 13:28 / Social housing providers adopting green technology 16:35 / ASHP runnings costs compared with oil and gas 18:24 / Village hall visits for ASHP education 23:40 / Funding streams for social housing 37:13 / Mitsubishi Electric Ecodan 37:39 / Advise for housing associations 41:15 / 24/7 homeowner helpline 43:50 / Using AI to future monitor 45:50 / Heat as a service 59:30 / Healthy homes for tenants https://les.mitsubishielectric.co.uk/end-users/application-by-sector/housing-association

November 16, 2022Episode 181 hr 6 min

Ep18 Sustainable Homes: Building the Future

In this episode, Ecodan’s Russell Dean is in conversation with Architect and Ecodan Ambassador George Clarke, Cala Homes’ Product Design Manager, Stephen Kelso, and Martin Fahey, Head of Sustainability at Mitsubishi Electric. Stephen explains how building standards differ between England and Scotland, and how Cala is trialling new technologies, such as air source heat pumps, ahead of regulation changes. Martin and George share their views on our collective journey towards net zero carbon, the importance of embodied vs operational carbon, and discuss what sustainability will look like in the future using new eco-materials. The group discusses how closer construction industry and supplier collaboration coupled with education will play a vital role in meeting the UK's decarbonisation challenges. This episode was recorded on the 6th of September 2022. 01:10 / Cala Homes introduction 02:37 / Building standards in Scotland 04:00 / Hybrid heat pumps as a stepping-stone 08:20 / Cala Homes and Part L Regulations 11:00 Changing the building mindset 17:00 / Zero, net or low carbon for 2050? 21:00 / The scale of change for heating 23:30 / Embodied carbon 25:00 / Working together as an industry 30:00 / Eco-materials & bio-architecture 36:25 / Mitsubishi Electric Ecodan 36:49 / Cala Homes customers 40:00 / Graduates spearheading sustainability 47:45 / Collaboration and education 53:15 / The retrofit challenge 1:01:00 / Challenges for Cala Homes 1:03:00 / Challenges for Mitsubishi Electric https://les.mitsubishielectric.co.uk/housing-developers https://les.mitsubishielectric.co.uk/homeowners/our-heat-pumps https://www.cala.co.uk/

October 17, 2022Episode 1754 min

Ep17 Upskill to Ecodan

In this episode, Russell Dean from Ecodan is in conversation with Architect and Ecodan Ambassador George Clarke, Will Allanson, Deputy Principal at Harlow College and Lance Hitchins, People and Training Manager at Mitsubishi Electric. The group discusses the transitional challenges of upskilling UK gas engineers to be able to install air source heat pumps. Lance explains the benefits of Mitsubishi Electric's new Ecodan Training Centre at Hatfield – allowing their courses to combine online group sessions with more personal, 'hands-on' teaching. Will Allanson from Harlow College talks about promoting 'carbon literacy' and 'decarbonising their college curriculum' to deliver sustainable heating education to the next generation of heating installers. This episode was recorded on 6th Sept 2022. 01:06 / The need to upskill 02:15 / Ecodan training challenges 03:50 / Learning plumbing and electrics 11:30 / Decarbonising the curriculum 13:00 / Engaging with employers for jobs 15:00 / Transitional phase for skills 18:00 / Regional job opportunities 23:00 / A sustainable journey 28:45 / Educate for carbon literacy 34:50 / Mitsubishi Electric Ecodan 35:15 / The green economy 36:15 / The commercial benefits of Ecodan 39:00 / The opportunities for gas installers 44:20 / The biggest challenge for educators 53:20 / Honesty, education & collaboration https://les.mitsubishielectric.co.uk/upskill-to-ecodan https://les.mitsubishielectric.co.uk/homeowners/our-heat-pumps https://www.harlow-college.ac.uk/ https://podcast.ecodan.uk/

July 7, 2022Episode 1656 min

Ep16 Zero Carbon Home

In this episode, Russell Dean from Ecodan, is in conversation with architect and Ecodan Ambassador, George Clarke, and Oliver Novakovic, Technical and Innovation Director at Barratt Developments Plc. They discuss the Zed House project – a unique zero carbon concept home that showcases the future of sustainable living in the UK. Built on the University of Salford’s main campus, the Zed House is the first home in the country to be built by a major housebuilder that goes substantially beyond the UK Government's Future Homes Standard. Oliver discusses partnering on the project with Mitsubishi Electric – Ecodan to deliver sustainable heating and hot water and other innovative technologies and processes, like MMC, that will change the way that all new homes are built in the future. 01.40 / An introduction to the Barratt Zed House 04.15 / Being 'green' without trying 05.28 / Skirting board heating 07.06 / The case for a Zero carbon home 09.05 / Ecodan and heating the Zed House 12.30 / Getting rid of gas 14.30 / Robots building houses 20.38 / Mitsubishi Electric Ecodan 21.00 / The evolution of MMC 28.05 / Designed for manufacture 30.45 / The educated self-builder 39.00 / Government standards and planning 45.00 / Trading energy 47.45 / A remote control for a house 51.28 / Changing coming with The Future Home Standard www.ecodan.co.uk https://www.barrattdevelopments.co.uk/showcase/z-house

May 19, 2022Episode 1550 min

Ep15 Heat Pumps: The Road to Net Zero

In this episode, Russell Dean from Ecodan, is in conversation with architect and Ecodan Ambassador, George Clarke, and Ben Freeman, founder of Dore Woodman – UK renewable heating specialists. They discuss several topics including; what it means to live 'greener', starting a renewable heating business, grants, 'heating education', retrofitting existing UK housing stock, and the overall challenges that face the heating industry in meeting the UK Government's target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. 01:00 / George Clarke's journey to sustainable living and renewable heating. 06:08 / Ben Freeman: starting a renewable heating business 12:00 / The educated renewable buyer 14:30 / Low-income households and efficient heating 15:45 / The Boiler Upgrade Scheme 17:15 / Retrofitting existing housing stock 22:10 / A long-term strategy for green buildings 24:15 / Making technology simple 27:00 / Mitsubishi Electric Ecodan 27:24 / Installer advice from Dore Woodman 31:10 / Housebuilders and changing legislation coming in 2025 33:50 / Hydrogen ready boilers? 35:00 / Heat or eat / fuel poverty 38:00 / Re-programme the industry for heat pumps 47:00 / Collaboration is the future www.ecodan.co.uk www.dorewoodman.co.uk

April 9, 2022Episode 1435 min

Ep14 Air Source Heat Pump Myths

Since COP26 in Glasgow in Oct/Nov 2021, interest in renewable heating technologies from the UK media and the public has intensified. Social media has been awash with often 'polar opposite' opinions and viewpoints regarding air source heat pumps. In this episode, Russell Dean from Ecodan, architect and Ecodan Ambassador, George Clarke, and Laurent Widloecher, Product Manager at Mitsubishi Electric, discuss and 'debunk' commonly held myths associated with air source heat pumps. 01:00 / An intro to ASHP myth-busting 01:59 / Heat pumps are a new and unproven technology. 02:38 / Heat pumps are not powerful enough to heat my home in cold weather. 03:42 / Heat pumps take a long time to warm up a home. 06:02 / A heat pump is more expensive to run than a fossil fuel solution. 10:00 / Electricity is not a clean, green fuel type. 10:37 / Air source heat pumps are noisy. 13:11 / Planning permission is required before you can install an air source heat pump. 14:41 / Heat pumps take up too much space outside and inside. 16:47 / Mitsubishi Electric Ecodan. 17:12 / Heat pumps are only suitable for new build homes. 19:29 / Heat pumps only work with underfloor heating. 21:13 / Heat pumps are high maintenance. 21:48 / Heat pumps have a short life span. 23:34 / Heat pumps are expensive. 26:17 / Heat pumps are complicated to programme and use. 26:58 / Renewable heating incentives are difficult to apply for. 28:16 / The UK government is forcing people to scrap their working gas boilers. 29:41 / Heat pumps are imported products and not manufactured in the UK. 30:06 / The national grid will not be able to cope with the mass market uptake of electric cars and heat pumps . 34:45 / Air Source Heat Pumps are not practical for apartments. www.ecodan.co.uk

September 10, 2021Episode 1344 min

Ep13 Heat Pumps: The Future Homes Standard

In this episode, Max Halliwell from Ecodan talks to Chris Ricketts from Elmhurst Energy. Elmhurst Energy Systems is the UK's largest accreditation scheme, covering EPCs on domestic properties, new-build compliance, U-Value calculations and inspections. Chris shares his insight from his consultancy work for UK Government on The Future Homes Standard – the landmark Building Regulations update set to improve the energy efficiency of all new homes. Max and Chris discuss, the journey to UK NetZero carbon, the challenges the industry will face, to up-skill the current fossil-fuels installer base to fit the number of heat pumps needed – an expected timeframe for change and what the new Building Regulations will mean to developers. 01:55 / An intro to Chris and Elmhurst Energy 04:12 / The roadmap to NetZero in 2050 05:00 / Up-skilling installers to meet demand 08:00 / Heat pumps – a crucial technology 09:55 / The Future Homes Standard from 2025 11:40 / Part L Regulations 14:00 / Our energy grid is low-carbon now 17:30 / Measuring energy use in buildings 22:20 / Timelines for 2025 26:40 / SAP 10.2 33:00 / Mitsubishi Electric Ecodan 33:30 / Change impact for developers 35:30 / What will the new industry standards be? 40:35 / A line in the sand has been drawn www.ecodan.co.uk

July 23, 2021Episode 1237 min

Ep12 Installing Ecodan: Partnering for success

In this episode, Max Halliwell from Ecodan talks to David Cooke, one of the UK's most experienced Ecodan installers. David has been installing Ecodan air source heat pumps for more than 10 years and has completed over 630 installs, mainly domestic, off-gas, retro-fit, new and self-build projects in North Norfolk. He shares his journey; switching from fossil fuels to sustainable heating, how the consumer market and technology has changed over the years and what makes a successful business partnership with the right heat pump manufacturer. 01:36 / Over 10 years of Ecodan installs 03:40 / Giving up on oil boilers 05:00 / Ground source vs air source heat pumps 07:30 / Partnering with Mitsubishi Electric 09:30 / Sizing a heat pump correctly 14:40 / Low-temperature capacity 16:25 / Mitsubishi Electric Ecodan 17:00 / A typical install process 19:45 / Room-by-room heat loss calculations 20:45 / Commissioning the Ecodan with SD cards 22:32 / The Ecodan MelCloud App 23:40 / Remote maintenance to prevent false call-outs 26:23 / Grant funding for heat pumps 32:54 / Partnering with Ecodan for a successful heat pump business 34:33 / Advice for installers looking to switch from fossil fuels to heat pumps. www.ecodan.co.uk

June 9, 2021Episode 1135 min

Ep11 Self build with Ecodan: Sustainable home heating

In this episode, Max Halliwell from Ecodan talks to Georgina Burnett, Property and DIY Interiors Presenter. They discuss Georgina's passion for sustainable home renovation and her experience of choosing a Mitsubishi Electric, QUHZ Ecodan Air Source Heat Pump for her self build project. Georgina tells the story starting from her desire to be more energy-efficient, researching the sustainable home-heating technology available, selecting the right manufacturer and product, through to installation and user experience. 00:45 / Welcome intro 02:25 / Making your home a safe haven 03:55 / A passion for home renovation 06:00 / Starting a self build project 07:00 / The right sustainable technology 09:00 / An ultra-quiet solution 10:00 / Cylinder and heat pump placement 11:40 / Mitsubishi Electric Ecodan 12:05 / Easy install process 13:10 / Championing the technology 17:15 / Underfloor heating vs radiators 23:00 / Living with Ecodan 26:00 / Remote control heating 27:15 / Switching to a renewable energy supplier 28:30 / Renewable Heating Grants 30:15 / No more gas boilers by 2025 www.ecodan.co.uk

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