Send us a text

Join Nathan on this episode of BetaTalk as he sits down with Olly Cutting, Johann Kühns, and Pranjal Arya from HomeTree. The team from HomeTree shares their incredible journey, from a boiler installation company to a multifaceted energy services provider. We learn how Olly and Pranjal's economic backgrounds, combined with Johann's expertise in Climate Change management and finance from Imperial College London, have shaped their innovative, data-driven approach.

The Customer Journey Flywheel

The conversation centers on HomeTree's innovative business model, structured around a "customer journey flywheel" with three key divisions:

• Home Cover: Offering service plans for boilers and heat pump installations, rivaling big players like British Gas.
• Renewable Installations: Specializing in the installation of solar, battery, and heat pump systems.
• Renewable Financing: A crucial division that helps customers overcome the significant upfront cost of new energy systems, making the transition more accessible.

This flywheel model ensures that customers are supported at every stage of their energy transition.

A Different Approach to Acquisition

Nathan and his guests discuss HomeTree's unique strategy of acquiring local SME's (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises), like the respected IMS Heat Pumps Ltd led by Emma Bohan. They explore why this approach is so beneficial for both HomeTree and the acquired businesses. HomeTree's data revealed that customers prefer working with local installers, and this acquisition model allows them to scale while maintaining a personal touch.

Beyond Technology

The discussion also highlights that the move to renewable energy isn't just a technological change; it's a behavioral shift for customers. Nathan shares his thoughts on how the Guild of Master Heat Engineers can collaborate with HomeTree to help both the company and its customers navigate this transition, building on the great conversation they started over dinner. 🍽️

This season is being sponsored by Intergas

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Send us a text

Join Nathan this week for an exclusive episode recorded live from the Qvantum HQ in Sweden! Nathan sits down with a team of true industry heavyweights to discuss the future of heating solutions for multi-occupancy dwellings.

In this insightful conversation, Nathan is joined by his good friend and a titan of the European heat pump sector, Thomas Nowak. As the former General Secretary of the European Heat Pump Association for nearly 18 years, Thomas shares his unparalleled knowledge of how Europe is tackling the challenge of heating decarbonisation.

We also speak with Philip Ord, Qvantum's Managing Director, and Darren Manley, the technical expert behind Qvantum's innovative solutions. The discussion delves into the intricacies of their offering, exploring the dual benefits of heating and cooling, the critical issue of overheat protection, and the technical innovations that make their systems ideal for multi-residential buildings.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the technical and strategic side of decarbonisation, from on-the-ground installers to policy makers. Tune in to hear from a leading company in the space and get a unique perspective on the European journey to a cleaner heating future.

This season is being sponsored by Intergas... check out their xylinder, a cylinder designed for heat pumps

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Send us a text

Expanding Horizons: BetaTalk's New Newsletter and Website!

We're thrilled to announce that BetaTalk is growing! In addition to our regular podcast episodes, we're launching a brand new newsletter and an associated website. This expansion will allow us to bring you even more in-depth content, industry news, and valuable insights into the world of heat pumps and sustainable building.

Our newsletter, launching shortly, will be your go-to source for the latest industry developments, insightful opinion pieces from the third sector, and crucially, real-world heat pump case studies from experienced engineers in the Guild of Master Heat Engineers. This is an exciting step in our mission to inform and empower.

As Chris Stark, former CEO of the Climate Change Committee, remarked about this new venture: "Nathan is one of the UK’s clean heat leaders, so I always watch him closely. This collaborative media venture is an exciting next step. We need positive voices like Nathan’s to help broaden knowledge around retrofit and heat pump installations."

Don't miss out! Be among the first to receive our new newsletter and stay ahead of the curve:

Sign up now for exclusive content and updates!

Episode Notes:

Welcome back to BetaTalk! In this fascinating episode, we delve deep into the world of air-to-air (A2A) heat pump systems for domestic properties. We were incredibly fortunate to be joined by two distinguished guests: Es Tresidder, a consultant specialising in Passivhaus design and low-carbon building design optimisation, and Michael Cosham, a seasoned HVAC engineer with 47 years of invaluable experience.

Our conversation began by exploring air-to-air systems in general, including Michael's personal experience building an A2A system for his first home on Canvey Island. Es then shared insights into the A2A system installed in his own highly efficient home, providing a real-world perspective on their performance.

We thoroughly discussed the numerous advantages of A2A systems in domestic properties, highlighting their efficiency and effectiveness. We also touched upon some perceived disadvantages, but as our conversation unfolded, it became clear that many of these concerns, such as fan speeds, comfort, noise, and even dry skin issues, may be simple to resolve with proper system setup and design. Indeed, with the right configuration, these issues may not even exist.

For more on this, and avoiding potential pitfalls, Es has provided these insightful articles:

• About overheating in low-energy buildings: https://www.highlandpassive.com/do-low-energy-buildings-have-an-overheating-problem/
• Understanding thermal comfort: https://www.highlandpassive.com/why-do-i-feel-chilly/

A key takeaway from this episode was the remarkably low cost of A2A heat pumps, making them an increasingly attractive and accessible option for homeowners looking to embrace sustainable heating solutions.

Join us for a truly enlightening discussion that challenges preconceptions and sheds light on the true potential of air-to-air heat pump technology.

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky