Henry Pelly
@henrypelly.bsky.social
Principal Sustainability Consultant at Max Fordham. Decarbonised Heating. Environmental Psychology. Ex-Rower.
I don’t usually post about politics. But as a TV licence payer, I expect the BBC to do its job. “If one says it’s raining and another says it’s dry, you don’t quote both — you look out the window.” It couldn’t be clearer which side’s narrative accurately reflects the facts.
January 25, 2026 at 1:42 PM
I don’t usually post about politics. But as a TV licence payer, I expect the BBC to do its job. “If one says it’s raining and another says it’s dry, you don’t quote both — you look out the window.” It couldn’t be clearer which side’s narrative accurately reflects the facts.
Reposted by Henry Pelly
A historic turning point for clean heating in Europe: For the first time, in the first half of 2025 sales of heat pumps in Germany have surpassed those of gas boilers.
This is a big milestone, demonstrating that the transition away from fossil fuels in our buildings is not just a future ambition.
This is a big milestone, demonstrating that the transition away from fossil fuels in our buildings is not just a future ambition.
November 9, 2025 at 2:36 PM
A historic turning point for clean heating in Europe: For the first time, in the first half of 2025 sales of heat pumps in Germany have surpassed those of gas boilers.
This is a big milestone, demonstrating that the transition away from fossil fuels in our buildings is not just a future ambition.
This is a big milestone, demonstrating that the transition away from fossil fuels in our buildings is not just a future ambition.
An excellent positive article about the modern wonder that is the energy transition
An energy revolution is underway in this century, though it’s unfolded in ways slow enough and technical enough for most people not to notice (and I assume it’s nowhere near finished). It is astonishing – a powerful solution to the climate crisis... [Wrote it a while ago; came out yesterday.]
The renewable energy revolution is a feat of technology | Rebecca Solnit
An energy revolution is underway in this century, though most people have not noticed it
www.theguardian.com
August 1, 2025 at 4:52 PM
An excellent positive article about the modern wonder that is the energy transition
Reposted by Henry Pelly
Sooo... the government has removed the 1m planning rule in England, and the BBC have opened the comments section on their article...😱😳
Because I clearly hate myself, let's do a quick fact check on some of the most popular comments...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Because I clearly hate myself, let's do a quick fact check on some of the most popular comments...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Planning change makes heat pump installations easier for homes
The rule requiring planning permission if a heat pump is within 1m of a neighbours property has been removed.
www.bbc.co.uk
May 29, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Sooo... the government has removed the 1m planning rule in England, and the BBC have opened the comments section on their article...😱😳
Because I clearly hate myself, let's do a quick fact check on some of the most popular comments...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Because I clearly hate myself, let's do a quick fact check on some of the most popular comments...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
There’s also a good case study on how a heat pump and batteries make my ‘thermally-challenged’ listed house cost-effective to run.
Interesting article on self-sufficient “home microgrids”. And yes the Stone Edge Farm mentioned IS the one set up by John “Mac” McQuown, the father of index funds. on.ft.com/3FoTMHG
Home microgrids: a blueprint for the future of sustainable household energy?
[FREE TO READ] Once the preserve of doomsday preppers and sustainability nerds, these autonomous mini ‘power plants’ are gaining wider traction among homeowners and housebuilders — despite the maze of...
on.ft.com
May 24, 2025 at 5:09 PM
There’s also a good case study on how a heat pump and batteries make my ‘thermally-challenged’ listed house cost-effective to run.
Reposted by Henry Pelly
Pinchbeck acknowledges debate over cost of net zero. Says there is investment and cost required over the next 10 years, especially in grid and home retrofit, but the modelling shows benefits start to outweigh costs around 2040 and then continue to amass beyond then.
April 29, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Pinchbeck acknowledges debate over cost of net zero. Says there is investment and cost required over the next 10 years, especially in grid and home retrofit, but the modelling shows benefits start to outweigh costs around 2040 and then continue to amass beyond then.
Reposted by Henry Pelly
Pinchbeck: 'Apart from EVs if there is a key technology in the Carbon budgets it is trees, because it takes 25 years to grow a tree to maturity.' Says if there are two things the government needs progress on now it is buildings and trees.
April 29, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Pinchbeck: 'Apart from EVs if there is a key technology in the Carbon budgets it is trees, because it takes 25 years to grow a tree to maturity.' Says if there are two things the government needs progress on now it is buildings and trees.
Reposted by Henry Pelly
Other key challenge is residential buildings and electrified heat. There needs to be more progress here to get to half of buildings having electrified heat by mid-2030s before then ramping up through to 2040.
April 29, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Other key challenge is residential buildings and electrified heat. There needs to be more progress here to get to half of buildings having electrified heat by mid-2030s before then ramping up through to 2040.
Reposted by Henry Pelly
Pinchbeck: 'Our primary recommendation for government is to make electricity as cheap as possible'. This relates to the major challenge for this government of decarbonising heating over the next decade.
April 29, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Pinchbeck: 'Our primary recommendation for government is to make electricity as cheap as possible'. This relates to the major challenge for this government of decarbonising heating over the next decade.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/defenc...
I wrote a defence of the new Net Zero Building Standard. There's a bit too much focus in the industry on perfecting ideas and not enough on doing things better....
I wrote a defence of the new Net Zero Building Standard. There's a bit too much focus in the industry on perfecting ideas and not enough on doing things better....
In Defence of the Net Zero Carbon Building Standard
There’s been a bit of controversy over the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (NZCBS) in the last couple of days. On Friday, Simon Sturgis, the godfather of Embodied Carbon assessment in the UK, publi...
www.linkedin.com
April 28, 2025 at 3:19 PM
www.linkedin.com/pulse/defenc...
I wrote a defence of the new Net Zero Building Standard. There's a bit too much focus in the industry on perfecting ideas and not enough on doing things better....
I wrote a defence of the new Net Zero Building Standard. There's a bit too much focus in the industry on perfecting ideas and not enough on doing things better....
Reposted by Henry Pelly
Best explanation of why energy prices are so high in the UK you will find in the media. Watch this ⬇️
(Spoiler alert: it’s not green policies that are the problem)
(Spoiler alert: it’s not green policies that are the problem)
We’ve know this for ages but it’s good that this kind of analysis in now on mainstream TV in the UK
April 25, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Best explanation of why energy prices are so high in the UK you will find in the media. Watch this ⬇️
(Spoiler alert: it’s not green policies that are the problem)
(Spoiler alert: it’s not green policies that are the problem)
Reposted by Henry Pelly
BBC muzzling one of its best presenters from making an excellent, wholly factual programme because heat pumps are “controversial”. An organisation badly in need of new leadership.
April 22, 2025 at 10:26 AM
BBC muzzling one of its best presenters from making an excellent, wholly factual programme because heat pumps are “controversial”. An organisation badly in need of new leadership.
Thanks @betatalk.bsky.social for a great chat. We covered a lot of ground from low energy sports centre design to the benefits of (MCS) certification despite the pain it causes.
Check out the latest BetaTalk heat pump podcast
#environment #environmentaldesign #ecofriendly #greenbuilding #heating #electrifiedheating
#suststainablearchitecture
#training
betatalk.buzzsprout.com/509671/episo...
#environment #environmentaldesign #ecofriendly #greenbuilding #heating #electrifiedheating
#suststainablearchitecture
#training
betatalk.buzzsprout.com/509671/episo...
Can a Boat Race Champion Revolutionise Home Heating? Find Out! - BetaTalk - The Renewable Energy and Low Carbon Heating Podcast
Ever wondered what connects the discipline of a three-time Oxford-Cambridge boat race rower with the intricacies of sustainable architecture and the practicalities of installing heat pumps? This week,...
betatalk.buzzsprout.com
March 20, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Thanks @betatalk.bsky.social for a great chat. We covered a lot of ground from low energy sports centre design to the benefits of (MCS) certification despite the pain it causes.
It seems to me that most of the harmful political acts of the last decade have come about because no one wants to explain the benefits of very important but unpopular things. Like the EU, legal aid and foreign aid. It would be nice if politicians actually led sometimes.
February 28, 2025 at 3:25 PM
It seems to me that most of the harmful political acts of the last decade have come about because no one wants to explain the benefits of very important but unpopular things. Like the EU, legal aid and foreign aid. It would be nice if politicians actually led sometimes.
Reposted by Henry Pelly
Some thoughts on the increase in energy bills under the price cap from April...
1. This is obviously bad news. We hoped that energy bills would gradually fall back to normal after the 2022 crisis, but we seem to have a new normal with bills now ~£700-£800 higher.
www.ofgem.gov.uk/news/changes...
1. This is obviously bad news. We hoped that energy bills would gradually fall back to normal after the 2022 crisis, but we seem to have a new normal with bills now ~£700-£800 higher.
www.ofgem.gov.uk/news/changes...
Changes to energy price cap between 1 April and 30 June 2025
Changes to the maximum amount energy suppliers can charge people on default tariffs for each unit of energy and the daily standing charge 1 April to 30 June 2025.
www.ofgem.gov.uk
February 25, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Some thoughts on the increase in energy bills under the price cap from April...
1. This is obviously bad news. We hoped that energy bills would gradually fall back to normal after the 2022 crisis, but we seem to have a new normal with bills now ~£700-£800 higher.
www.ofgem.gov.uk/news/changes...
1. This is obviously bad news. We hoped that energy bills would gradually fall back to normal after the 2022 crisis, but we seem to have a new normal with bills now ~£700-£800 higher.
www.ofgem.gov.uk/news/changes...
Reposted by Henry Pelly
New personal post: is net zero good or bad for growth?
This is a long post on a tricky topic, so this is a thread too.
I wrote it because people are making strong claims about net zero without really paying attention to the facts. And the facts keep changing
acjsissons.medium.com/is-net-zero-...
This is a long post on a tricky topic, so this is a thread too.
I wrote it because people are making strong claims about net zero without really paying attention to the facts. And the facts keep changing
acjsissons.medium.com/is-net-zero-...
Is net zero good or bad for growth?
The underlying facts about net zero and growth keep changing. The proponents for each side, however, do not tend to change their minds…
acjsissons.medium.com
February 14, 2025 at 9:33 AM
New personal post: is net zero good or bad for growth?
This is a long post on a tricky topic, so this is a thread too.
I wrote it because people are making strong claims about net zero without really paying attention to the facts. And the facts keep changing
acjsissons.medium.com/is-net-zero-...
This is a long post on a tricky topic, so this is a thread too.
I wrote it because people are making strong claims about net zero without really paying attention to the facts. And the facts keep changing
acjsissons.medium.com/is-net-zero-...
That couple think pylons look so ‘monstrous’ that they… built a scale model of one and stored it in their house?
When I am head of the world, every single Nimby who whines about pylons and solar panels will be ejected from their house, the house bulldozed, and a bloody great pylon erected exactly where their sitting room used to be www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Battle lines drawn over 'monstrous' pylons and solar farm 'wastelands'
Are solar panel fields and giant pylons the price of energy decarbonisation by 2030? - Panorama investigates.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 3, 2025 at 1:43 PM
That couple think pylons look so ‘monstrous’ that they… built a scale model of one and stored it in their house?
Reposted by Henry Pelly
Bloke wars: the rise of the Net Zero Dad www.economist.com/britain/2025...
January 30, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Bloke wars: the rise of the Net Zero Dad www.economist.com/britain/2025...
This is the content I’m here for…
Nice, though raise you the folks with online heat pump monitoring. Look at the SCOP on that eh?
Emoncms - app view
emoncms.org
February 2, 2025 at 12:52 PM
This is the content I’m here for…
Reposted by Henry Pelly
Nice, though raise you the folks with online heat pump monitoring. Look at the SCOP on that eh?
Emoncms - app view
emoncms.org
February 2, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Nice, though raise you the folks with online heat pump monitoring. Look at the SCOP on that eh?
Reposted by Henry Pelly
I have made the definitive* typology of Dads.
How to tell your Centrist Dads from your 6 Music Dads from your Climate and Net Zero Dads…
How to tell your Centrist Dads from your 6 Music Dads from your Climate and Net Zero Dads…
January 30, 2025 at 3:16 PM
I have made the definitive* typology of Dads.
How to tell your Centrist Dads from your 6 Music Dads from your Climate and Net Zero Dads…
How to tell your Centrist Dads from your 6 Music Dads from your Climate and Net Zero Dads…
I like lots of @dsquareddigest.bsky.social stuff. But I think I liked this the most.
after shooting my mouth off so much about a) regulation and b) industrial policy, I felt the obligation to try and answer "ok clever clogs what would you do then"
open.substack.com/pub/backofmi...
open.substack.com/pub/backofmi...
the regulatory arts and crafts movement
a rare positive contribution
open.substack.com
January 24, 2025 at 8:12 PM
I like lots of @dsquareddigest.bsky.social stuff. But I think I liked this the most.
Reposted by Henry Pelly
Very good by @dsquareddigest.bsky.social on how regulation can be used to drive growth. If course, does depend on regulators having the budgets, skills and staff to do the job properly open.substack.com/pub/backofmi...
the regulatory arts and crafts movement
a rare positive contribution
open.substack.com
January 24, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Very good by @dsquareddigest.bsky.social on how regulation can be used to drive growth. If course, does depend on regulators having the budgets, skills and staff to do the job properly open.substack.com/pub/backofmi...
Reposted by Henry Pelly
Grid reliability isn’t homeowners’ responsibility. It should have no impact on your personal decision to electrify.
If you wanted to buy an AC or hot tub, nobody argues with you about the grid.
It’s an anti-heat pump talking point — try it as such.
If you wanted to buy an AC or hot tub, nobody argues with you about the grid.
It’s an anti-heat pump talking point — try it as such.
December 26, 2024 at 7:54 PM
Grid reliability isn’t homeowners’ responsibility. It should have no impact on your personal decision to electrify.
If you wanted to buy an AC or hot tub, nobody argues with you about the grid.
It’s an anti-heat pump talking point — try it as such.
If you wanted to buy an AC or hot tub, nobody argues with you about the grid.
It’s an anti-heat pump talking point — try it as such.