Tim Mortimer

After two years of research and a lot of help from Twitter, I finally have a heat pump! Lots of thanks to @jesseb4me, @Merrion, @jimmybb, @techpoodle, and countless others I’m sure I’ve forgotten.

@DanNeidle I generally agree with you here @DanNeidle, but it would be interesting if they cut it on electricity and not gas to reduce to ratio between gas and electricity prices, which would help encourage the uptake of heat pumps, for example.

Completely agree with this. Cutting VAT on energy would be hugely inefficient, in every sense. Lots of people have internalised the idea that VAT is regressive. So it seems to logically follow that a VAT cut is progressive. But…

@Ewbank_1 @EVPuzzle @johntisbury @betateachpod I posted about it here: x.com/timothymortime…

@Ewbank_1 @EVPuzzle @johntisbury @betateachpod We had a Daikin 4-port installed in late 2023. It’s provided all of our heating since then. 1908 Edwardian end-of-terrace house. It’s transformed the comfort of our house. Happy to talk!

Seeking UK homeowners with air-to-air heat pumps for research interviews! 🏡 If you've had one installed & can share your experience, let's chat. Your insights will inform policy, and improve information for homeowners. Please DM or reply! @EVPuzzle @johntisbury @betateachpod

@WinterSling @renewablewriter I can now tell my fellow local residents about my A2A HP install without fearing one of them going grassing to the local authority :)

@renewablewriter 'not solely used for the purpose of cooling' is also a massive positive change.

We've published new legislation to relax rules around permitted development for heat pumps. Changes will come into effect from 29 May and should make it easier for consumers to install a heat pump without a full planning application.   For more info visit: legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2025/560/…

@UbnTricky @HMRCcustomers Not only have @HMRCcustomers closed it a day early, I've just looked back at a screenshot I took a couple of weeks ago to realise they presented the deadline as 25th April, not 5th April:

@HMRCcustomers Which is closed at weekends. So National Insurance top ups effectively not possible the day before the deadline.

@HMRCcustomers HMRC have switched off the extended deadline to pay missing gaps in National Insurance Payments a day early ?

@renewablewriter @dan_grey @OctopusEnergy I want to be clear - these aren't tight terraced homes. My parent's home is an ex-council house built in the 60s. They've built a side extension, but the neighbours at the start of the next terrace have not. The gap between the homes is far greater than most.

@renewablewriter @dan_grey @OctopusEnergy Hi Matt. I'm pleased the 1m rule has been scrapped, but how does having the flexibility to site your heat pump nearer to your neighbour's boundary help you when the noise restriction is to do with the distance to the middle of the nearest liveable room's window?

This is deeply disappointing, as it's a) totally unnecessary bureaucracy, all heat pumps are near silent; b) unfair and discriminatory, as gas boilers are far noiser but aren't subject to noise assessment; c) undermines any benefit from removing the 1 m rule.

@renewablewriter @dan_grey I strongly dispute this. My parents just had a heat pump installed by @OctopusEnergy. They needed planning permission because of the noise measurement. The affected property was on the end of the next terrace along, with a wide enough of a gap for them to build a side extension.

@dan_grey I wouldn’t describe all heat pumps as near silent (latest Mitsubishi EcoDan unit is 58dB at source) but you’re right that they are generally very quiet & allowing flexibility in where they are installed means most can now be fitted without need for a full planning application.

@levelsio @manoj_ahi I do the same. I used to keep a lot more in the company, but there’s always the “what if I get sued to oblivion?” fear.

@manoj_ahi Both for risk hedging

What do you recommend for getting a mortgage in Portugal/Europe? I normally wouldn't but keeping my money invested @ 10.5%/y avg in S&P500 While taking a 2-4%/y mortgage in Europe The diff is essentially profit (not without risk ofc) I already getting angry dealing with 🦖 dinosaur banks again Asked Revolut and Wise if they offered mortgages but not yet I believe? Would love a fintech mortgage

@IrishRainforest I did the same last November. I haven’t looked back:

I got an air-to-air heat pump installed in my house 3 or 4 years ago, replacing a wood-burning stove as the sole living space heat source. It's just brilliant: totally hassle-free and way better for our health and the climate. No way would I go back. *Highly* recommended.

@EssaysConcern @L__Bow @energysmartwv Sounds about right - it’s a bit more for me as I live in an 1908 property with not the best air tightness and insulation.

I agree with this! It's why I want to see hybrids in the US (furnace plus heat pump).

@L__Bow @EssaysConcern @energysmartwv It’ll drive up interest and expertise and the supply chain, pouring money into ever improved options and technology, which I suspect (but obviously don’t know) will help people make more 100% switches over time.

@L__Bow @EssaysConcern @energysmartwv Household specifics aside, I think the politics of it all is hard to ignore. An expansion of A2A installations without the associated hassle of radiator upgrades and more importantly, HW tank siting, will go a long way towards normalising HPs amongst the general population.

@EssaysConcern @L__Bow @energysmartwv Taken together, I’ve made a massive dent (80-90%) in my gas usage, and I’m subsidising the gas network still (personally sad, but good for the system). I can now think about and fund the removing of my range oven with gas stove and gas DHW combi separately.

@EssaysConcern @L__Bow @energysmartwv There’s also individual blockers. Decarbonising my heat was easy. I did it with A2A in the end, but a split A2W system could have worked too. Hot water on the other hand is trickier. For some, a heat only system for now might be all they would consider? It’s better than nothing.

@graeme_cobb @theolodian @veloceuraptor @Everyth1ngElec Here’s the story of my A2A install if you’re interested:

@theolodian @veloceuraptor @Everyth1ngElec And I understand very similar efficiencies too, albeit A2A also adds the benefit of cooling. Why is this not a hot topic?

My thoughts on the @Everyth1ngElec show - a bit of a ramble ⚡️⚡️ I can now claim that I have been to several of these events and in the past I’ve been to many car shows, too. What sets the Everything Electric show and car shows apart is seeing a complete package, or a unified approach to EV ownership and renewables under one roof. There were some striking takeaways, too. @OctopusEnergy attracted huge queues to its Wheel of Fortune. All day! Sadly my impatience gland got the better of me so i missed out on a chance of winning a Constantine 🐙 But it’s remarkable that an energy company has attracted a huge fan base and is making energy fun, and most importantly, they’re working hard to reduce costs for customers. There are so many initiatives to make savings here and there and I love it. I’ve never loved an energy company before. A big scoop was the @tesla_uk Cybertruck. Love it or hate it, that truck is as big as a town and gained a lot of onlookers (and fingerprints) to the Tesla stand 📐 But for me seeing the new Renault 5 and Alpine A290 (sporty 5) up close and sitting in it has confirmed everything that I felt since I saw it in print. I really love it and so does my wife and we now really want one. We’re reimagining our little EV fleet now 🤔 Some were there to see and sit in the new MG Cyberster and MG didn’t disappoint. I saw several Cybersters at the show. Watch MG closely as they launch a new car with a solid state battery next year ⚡️🏎️ I saw crowds around the Hyundai Inster and Ioniq 5N displays, the latter of which was offered for test drives at the event. Many BYD’s and Ora 03’s (formerly the Funky Cat) gained crowds and test drives, too. In fact, test drives from a variety of manufacturers were offered for those that had a presence there 🚙 The weather didn’t seem to deter anyone. I personally test drove a Model Y on the outside roads for about 10 minutes. It’s worth noting that longer test drives are available at your local dealership/centre. We also spoke to Daikin about air-to-air heat pumps at length and registered with them for a follow up chat ♨️ They had their air sourced heat pumps on display to enquiring minds, too. As we left a stand we were very politely accosted by a lovely, enthusiastic young lady promoting her parents holiday B&B in Kent which is powered by renewables and is dog friendly. The rooms are suits folks! We will definitely be making a booking there 🌴 I had a listen to one of their theatre discussions, too. There are many informative topics to choose from either to help ease potential EV customers into a new electric car, or to listen to a live podcast style chat. However, what is exceptional about these events is the diverse collection of companies and manufacturers keen and willing to take the time to explain at length the benefits of their products and how they may work for their customers. Even if you know nothing about EVs and renewable technologies, but are curious, this event is for you. For those who would like all of that under one roof, there is no better place to go to access information and see at first hand all the goods and services on offer. There’s also activities to entertain kids too. This really is a well thought out show and I’ll look forward to the next one in the Spring 👏👏👏

@Merrion @MrSimonBennett I thought those plant sales would make the cost worthwhile?

Loving life

@ewan_chamings @theolodian @L__Bow @NoPoke @Protons4B Sounds like a good idea if that works for you! I went for a 4-port, and it covers my whole house: x.com/timothymortime… The downstairs bathroom can get a little cold. We're going to put a wall mounted electric heater in there for when we're having baths.

@theolodian @L__Bow @NoPoke @Protons4B @timothymortimer I know but A2W is still ~£7k to then still not have cooling.. A hybrid house with 2x A2A handlers would probably be cheaper and get us cooling. Use the gas to put a small amount of energy into the floor or rads in rooms away from an air handler, but most of the heating A2A 🤔