Piped Up

Decoupling Electricity Costs, 10-Minute EV Charging and Anton vs Testo Showdown

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/ [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/ [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/ [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

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/ [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

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/ [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

Plumber in Parliament, Iran War Energy Crisis and the Phone Screen Fuse Test

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/ [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

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/ [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