Roger Bisby and other guests talk about their experiences in the building industry, look at the latest products and troubleshoot problems listeners are having.
Roger speaks with Duncan, a homeowner left without heating for more than 2½ years after a disastrous air-source heat pump installation under the UK Eco4 government scheme.
Installers got the heat-loss calcs wrong, fitted undersized radiators, never commissioned the system, and even added solar panels without checking the roof structure — causing further damage. The result: a cold home, big bills, and emergency repairs.
This isn’t an isolated case. With minimal inspections and installers chasing grant money over quality, thousands risk poor installs, damp, and structural issues — with no real safety net.
Duncan has now launched a charity to support others caught in the same situation and to push for urgent reform of government-backed retrofit schemes.
29 Sept 2025
34 ~ Thermally Broken Lintels with Richard Price from Catnic
Thermally broken lintels minimise heat transfer through the building envelope to meet Part L of the Building Regulations.
Catnic’s thermally broken lintels use two folded steel sections bonded to a high-strength, thermally efficient core, achieving psi values no greater than 0.05 W/mK without additional brackets or cold bridges.
Traditional steel lintels create significant thermal bridges by crossing the insulated cavity.
Separating the inner and outer steel sections breaks this thermal convection and reduces heat flow by over 90%, depending on the design.
Catnic thermally broken lintels are available to suit 90-205mm cavities, in standard, heavy or extra heavy duty load capacities.
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Summary
Thermally broken lintels slash heat loss by eliminating cold bridging.
Fit cavity widths up to 225 mm, with future options for arches and bays.
Independently verified with BBA certification and BRE thermal modelling.
Powder-coated steel for strength and durability, with installation guidance.
Free structural calculations and lintel schedules from Catnic.
Central to a “fabric first” approach — boosting efficiency before adding tech like heat pumps or solar.
Find out more about Catnic: go.skill-builder.uk/catnic (https://go.skill-builder.uk/catnic)
21 Jul 2025
#33 ~ Heat Pumps & Renewables with Mike Geary
Roger visits the Pipelife Academy in Cork, Ireland, to discuss heat pumps and renewable energy technology with Mike Geary.
Summary
Noise Concerns and Quiet Innovations
A significant obstacle to the adoption of heat pumps is noise. Many UK homeowners face planning permission issues due to sound levels. However, innovations like quieter fan designs in new units—especially the “media unit”—help meet stringent noise regulations.
Running Cost Misunderstandings
A recurring issue is complaints about higher electricity bills. This often results from misconceptions. Heat pumps are commonly installed in older, poorly insulated homes, leading to inefficiencies. Many believe removing their oil boiler will save £3,000 annually, which is misleading since electricity bills inevitably rise, though often less than perceived.
Design Matters in Retrofits
A key insight is that retrofitting heat pumps without upgrading insulation, windows, and heating controls leads to inefficiency. Pipelife only installs pumps after conducting thorough home assessments to ensure customer satisfaction, emphasising that heat pumps should be the last component in a retrofit.
Weather Compensation Benefits
Systems with weather compensation—where an external sensor adjusts water temperature based on outdoor conditions—achieve up to 30% cost savings. Many homeowners misunderstand lukewarm radiators as a problem, but it's a sign of optimised performance.
Proper Installation and Oversight
We must emphasise the importance of experienced and trustworthy installers. A full heat loss calculation, radiator sizing, and proper commissioning ensure long-term success. A good installer also teaches homeowners how to use their systems efficiently.
Heat Pump Behaviour and Efficiency
Heat pumps can heat water up to 65°C, but efficiency drops at higher output. A COP (Coefficient of Performance) of 3–4 over a year is typical. Systems are tailored for climate and house conditions to optimise performance.
Environmental and Behavioural Shift
With growing electrification—cars, ovens, and hobs—heat pumps may appear to be the biggest consumers, but broader electricity use is the real cost driver. Users must adapt to new heating behaviours and manage expectations regarding comfort and billing cycles.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
168,779,115
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 33 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
16
Social presence
0
YouTube
93
Engagement
32
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