Henry Pelly

Sustainability Consultant @MaxfordhamLLP, Architect, Environmental Psychologist. Interested in designing for wellbeing

[Szymon Czaban @plumbers_urban]

If we want mass adoption of heat pumps something needs to be done with extortionate fees on MCS businesses. If you install gas, gas safe will cost you £185 PA. If you install heat pumps all your fees add up to £2,000 PA. How is this fair?

[Henry Pelly @HenryPelly]

@plumbers_urban I completely agree. MCS has a value, but making installers and early-adopting customers carry the costs (both direct and indirect) is pretty stupid and harming the uptake of heat pumps.

[Henry Pelly @HenryPelly]

@ELPinchbeck Loft insulation, Draught-proofing and find a small (one-man band) aircon installer and get a multi-split unit installed for heating. In that order.

[Henry Pelly @HenryPelly]

@nimtimtim I think it’s crazy how hard planning is for heat pumps. On my own listed building I was told that the Planning officer’s immediate response was unsupportive but the Heritage officer made the case that it was both necessary and appropriate

[Henry Pelly @HenryPelly]

@nimtimtim @heatpolicyrich another example of a LPA requiring a full acoustic survey

[Henry Pelly @HenryPelly]

@heatpolicyrich MCS procedure was acceptable. This was in the context of a listed house in a scheduled monument.

[Henry Pelly @HenryPelly]

@daveg It's interesting seeing design experts discuss heat pumps. Weather-comp controls do best without user interaction; poor controller UX is almost a feature, not a bug. Smart thermostats like Nest or are slick but aren’t inefficient. However like Mitsubishi falls short on both.

[Henry Pelly @HenryPelly]

@bigcitydinosaur @RepealTCPA1947 Historic England will be enraged. Think of the scheduled monuments.

[Henry Pelly @HenryPelly]

13/ In summary, sharing carbon levies between gas and peak-time electricity could make heat pumps more attractive, promote smart meter adoption, and ensure a fair transition to low-carbon energy.

[Henry Pelly @HenryPelly]

1/ 🧵 Ed Miliband has been busy with lots of positive energy announcements. Sooner or later, he will need to come up with ways to accelerate heat pump and smart meter uptake.

[Henry Pelly @HenryPelly]

12/ Implementing this policy requires ensuring households have smart meters and can adapt their energy usage habits. Clear communication and support are crucial.