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.
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Plumber in Parliament, Iran War Energy Crisis and the Phone Screen Fuse Test
Season 1 · Episode 7
Tuesday, March 17, 2026 • Duration 01:50:31
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
Net Zero Reality Check, Heat Pump Myths Busted and Why Rob Hates Eon
Season 1 · Episode 6
Tuesday, March 3, 2026 • Duration 02:17:39
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
Biggest Tool Theft Ever, Biogas vs Heat Pumps and Vaillant Wins (Kind Of)
Season 1 · Episode 5
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 • Duration 57:18
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
Trade price rises, Illegal gas work and the £5 Temu Tool That Delivers.
Season 1 · Episode 4
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 • Duration 01:13:16
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
Tool Theft Justice, Energy Price Cuts and James Gets Challenged by Milwaukee
Season 1 · Episode 3
Tuesday, January 20, 2026 • Duration 01:27:29
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
Government U-Turns, Heat Pump Chaos and Heat Geek's AI Revolution
Season 1 · Episode 2
Saturday, December 27, 2025 • Duration 01:14:19
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
Bodge Jobs, Nuclear Power and the Future of UK Heating
Season 1 · Episode 1
Friday, December 12, 2025 • Duration 01:11:44
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
Decoupling Electricity Costs, 10-Minute EV Charging and Anton vs Testo Showdown
Season 1 · Episode 10
Tuesday, May 5, 2026 • Duration 01:00:02
Welcome to the season 1 finale of Piped Up – and this time we're covering the government's plan to decouple electricity costs from gas, breakthrough 10-minute EV charging battery tech, and settling the age-old debate: Anton vs Testo gas analyzers. Plus, Callum’s made a brand-new game, Rob's Eon saga is finally resolved, and a question for the audience about common installer mistakes.
We kick things off with some genuinely promising news – Reeves and Miliband are looking to decouple electricity prices from gas. Right now, electricity is priced based on the most expensive generation source, which is typically gas – even when the majority of energy is actually coming from cheaper renewables like wind and solar. We discuss why this change has to happen for heat pumps and electric heating to make financial sense. We look at live grid data from https://grid.iamkate.com/ showing that we use renewables more than most may realise.
Speaking of energy companies, Rob wraps up his five-month battle with Eon. After being hit with a surprise £2,500 bill for gas usage dating back to 2022, Rob dug his heels in and reminded them they're not legally allowed to backbill beyond 12 months. Eon tried every scare tactic – threatening court, debt collectors, forced entry – but eventually backed down. The lesson? Energy companies will try it on, but know your rights – they cannot backbill beyond 12 months, and if they break their own complaints procedures, push for compensation.
From there, we get into some positive energy news – the UK might actually have too much electricity this summer. The National Energy System Operator (NESO) is expecting that at certain points, the UK could generate more renewable electricity than the grid needs. This raises big questions about infrastructure – specifically battery storage. We discuss new battery technologies, including a breakthrough from Donut Lab that uses non-lithium materials, offers 400 watt-hour per kilogram energy density, and claims a 100,000 cycle lifespan – theoretically lasting 270 years. Callum also mentions BYD's 10-minute EV charging stations rolling out in China, with plans for global rollout.
We also touch on the untapped potential of solar panels on UK warehouses. Only 5% of UK warehouses currently have solar, yet these massive commercial roofs are perfect for solar generation – no fields lost, just dead space turned productive. It's common sense infrastructure that could massively boost renewable capacity without controversy.
Then we dive into the brand-new game show segment – Plumbing Fortunes, coded by Callum (no vibecoding here) using Scratch (https://scratch.mit.edu/). It's a Family Fortunes-style quiz where James and Rob go head-to-head. Points are awarded based on how popular the answer is, with the top answer scoring five points and the least popular scoring one. Though we're already planning to flip the format for season 2 – Pointless style, where the most obscure answer wins.
We wrap up the season by looking at your opinions on Who the best gas analyzer brand? The results are quite surprising with James explaining the responses further on why people may feel the way they feel with a perfect analogy for our office bods.
And in a crazy twist James admits to being tempted by the Milwaukee Pipe Cutter, the same ones he said were pointless at the start of the season. He currently has it in his basket but will he pull the trigger? Maybe we’ll know in Season 2.
Finally, we leave you with a question: What's a common mistake you've made as a plumber or heating engineer? Leaving an air bleed open? Not shutting off a stopcock properly? Freezing a pipe? We want to hear your stories so up-and-coming engineers can learn from them and avoid the same pitfalls.
Whether you're an installer navigating the energy transition, a homeowner trying to understand your options, or just here for the games, banter, and real talk – this season finale delivers. Thanks for watching season 1. We'll be back soon!
Looking for Radiators or valves? Check out https://ukradiators.com/
Chapters
00:00:00 Today's Topics
00:00:31 Decoupling Electricity Costs from Gas
00:06:38 Rob's Eon Energy Bill Victory
00:09:18 UK Summer Renewable Electricity Surplus
00:14:02 10-Minute EV Charging And Tech Innovation
00:19:42 People Getting Heat Pumps For Morals or Practicality?
00:26:36 Warehouse Solar Panel Potential
00:33:51 Plumbing Fortunes Quiz
00:46:09 Anton vs Testo: The Ultimate Gas Analyzer Showdown
00:57:00 Season 1 Highlights
00:58:55 What's a Common Plumbing Mistaks?
Late Payment Crackdown, Plug-In Solar Revolution and Why You Shouldn't Dry Clothes on Radiators
Season 1 · Episode 9
Tuesday, April 14, 2026 • Duration 02:04:50
Welcome back to Piped Up – and this time we're covering the government's crackdown on late payments, the rise of plug-in solar panels, and why hydrogen is officially off the table for home heating. Plus, we've got another round of Callum's fault finding quiz, Rob shares the most common heating mistake costing homeowners money, and a question for the audience about press guns.
We kick things off with some genuinely good news for tradespeople – the UK government is finally cracking down on big businesses making late payments. Late payments are costing the economy around £11 billion a year and linked to roughly 50,000 business closures. The new rules include a 60-day cap on payment terms, mandatory interest on late payments set above the Bank of England's base rate, and stronger powers to fine repeat offenders. There are concerns that 60 days could just become the new norm where it should probably be 30. We discuss whether this goes far enough, how the interest penalties actually work, and why smaller businesses still end up chasing invoices while bigger companies take their time.
From there, we get into plug-in solar – a new government-approved option that's already popular across Europe, especially in Germany. These systems allow you to literally plug a solar panel into your standard three-pin plug, with the big appeal being that it's simple, affordable, and rent-friendly. One example being thrown around suggests a £400 panel could pay for itself within 4 years, though more realistic estimates put it closer to 5 to 7 years. We discuss the importance of warranty periods, whether the payback calculations are realistic, and how plug-in solar could work for renters, g or anyone looking for a low-commitment way to reduce their energy bills.
Then we tackle the big one – hydrogen is off the table for home heating. The government has officially scaled back its hydrogen ambitions, saying it's just not likely to be used widely for home heating. The focus is shifting towards electrification, with hydrogen likely being reserved for heavy industry or niche uses. We discuss why this decision makes sense from a cost and practicality standpoint, the safety concerns around hydrogen, and what this means for the thousands of engineers who were told hydrogen was the future. We also touch on an online discussion around a massive natural hydrogen reserve in Mali, the challenges of transporting and using it, and whether future governments could reverse course on hydrogen policy.
On the lighter side, we dive into another round of Callum's "Find The Fault" quiz – where James and Rob work together to diagnose heating system issues from cryptic clues. From trapped air and sludge build-up to short cycling boilers and faulty zone valves, we work through 5 scenarios and rack up the points. It's a proper test of real-world plumbing knowledge, and we reckon installers watching will be shouting the answers at the screen.
We also get into some future tech speculation – from self-driving cars launching in the UK this year, to humanoid robots, AI-powered surgery pods, and the next generation of domestic tech. We discuss how energy costs need to come down for any of this to work at scale, whether fusion reactors will ever become a reality, and how quickly society adapts to change that once seemed impossible.
Rob answers a customer question about the most common heating mistake he sees – drying clothes on radiators. Everyone does it, but it massively reduces heat output by blocking airflow and convection. We're actually running lab tests to quantify exactly how much heat output is lost and how much it costs homeowners in extra heating bills. The solution? Magnetic towel bars that sit above the radiator, allowing you to dry your towels or clothes without blocking the heat. We show off the new product launching soon – adjustable, available in multiple finishes, and a simple fix that could save you money.
We wrap up with a question for the audience: What's your preferred choice of press guns? REMS, Novopress, Milwaukee? What do you use, why do you prefer it, and how does it perform in tight spaces? Let us know in the comments!
Whether you're an installer navigating late payments and industry changes, a homeowner trying to cut your energy bills, 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 and Episode Overview
00:00:30 Late Payment Crackdown for Small Businesses
00:06:06 Plug-In Solar Revolution: What You Need to Know
00:14:55 Hydrogen Heating: Off the Table for UK Homes
00:33:35 Find the Fault Quiz Game
00:47:45 The Towel on Radiator Mistake Costing You Money
00:53:33 Question for the Audience: Press Gun Preferences
Hypothermia in the UK, Perfect Pipe Bend and Apprenticeship Advice
Season 1 · Episode 8
Tuesday, March 31, 2026 • Duration 02:30:11
Episode was recorded on 17th March 2026
Welcome back to Piped Up – and this time we're covering the rise in hospitalisations from pneumonia cases, James shows off how to get the perfect pipe bend for those wanting to learn, and we have a new quiz from Callum. We dive into your comments on Back Boilers and Apprenticeships, and a question for the audience about their preferred joining method.
With rising energy costs, the number of pneumonia cases have also grown leading to the conversation that the two could be linked. British Gas are in trouble once again for a set of ads on Facebook with unsubstantiated claims about the solar panels and we talk about ReformUK’s plan to scrap the Heat Pump Grant and James and Rob discuss who could be affects, encourage checking in on others and how this isn’t the first time high energy costs have pushed people to alternative measures to stay warm.
With the end of Callum’s head-to-head style quiz, he’s cooked up a new game where the pair must work together to “Find The Fault”, how will they do?
Following from last episode, James has his monument pipe benders and shows you how to get the perfect pipe bend, even getting Rob to give it a try!.
We also react to audience comments, including:
We have a comment from a fan who is soon to finish college and struggling to find an apprenticeship.
Cover the difference between Back Boilers and modern Combi Boilers.
Following from James’ story of a badly capped gas pipe in a kitchen, someone puts in their two cents on Kitchen Fitters.
We wrap up with a question for the audience: What's your preferred method for joining pipes? Pipe bending, soldering or press? Let us know your thoughts 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 and Episode Overview
00:00:33 Hypothermia Crisis: Rising Pneumonia Cases in the UK
00:09:06 British Gas Heat Pump Claims Under Fire
00:25:31 Reform UK's Heat Pump Grant Proposal
00:38:55 Find the Fault Quiz Game
00:48:10 Perfect Pipe Bending with Monument Tool
00:54:34 Milwaukee Roll Groover Tool Explained
00:58:05 Plumbing Apprenticeship Advice
01:03:25 Combi Boilers vs Back Boilers Debate
01:11:01 Question for the Audience: Pipework Methods
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