Behind The Walls | #12 with April McHale

DescriptionFollowing on from their viral episode on the new SEAI grant uplifts, Pete and Retrofit Ferg go deep on the grant that got the biggest boost — the heat pump grant, now worth up to €12,500. To do it justice, they brought in the right person: April McHale of Mitsubishi Electric, with over 25 years of experience in the heating industry.This episode is a masterclass in everything heat pumps. April and the lads cover how heat pumps actually work, why fabric-first is the right approach (for any heating system), and what the installation process really looks like from start to finish. They bust the most common myths — noise, running costs, power cuts — and give homeowners a clear, step-by-step roadmap for applying for the grant, getting a technical assessment, and getting the work done correctly.There's also a real-life cautionary tale about €18,000 worth of grants lost due to bad advice, a discussion of the new high-temperature heat pump pilot using R290 refrigerant, and an honest, first-hand account of a heat pump installed in a stone cottage from the 1800s that proves the technology works in even the most unlikely homes. If you're thinking about a heat pump — or know someone whose boiler is on its last legs — this is required listening.Timecodes00:00 – Welcome & Introduction Pete and Ferg introduce the episode as a follow-up to their viral SEAI grants episode. This one goes deep on heat pumps, with special guest April McHale of Mitsubishi Electric.01:10 – Meet April McHale April's background — 25+ years in the heating industry, starting with underfloor heating in 1999, moving through geothermal and air-to-water heat pumps, solar, and retrofit. Now with Mitsubishi Electric.03:04 – New Builds vs Retrofit: Why Heat Pumps Work So Well New builds are built to airtight standards and are a natural fit for heat pumps. The challenge — and the big opportunity — is retrofitting heat pumps into existing homes.04:49 – Fabric First: Why Your Home Needs to Be Ready You can install a heat pump in any home, but the better insulated it is, the lower the running temperature and the greater the efficiency. Attic insulation, wall insulation, good windows — these all matter regardless of what heating system you're using.06:13 – The Triple Win of Heat Pumps One unit of electricity generates 3–4 units of heat. Zero combustion, no fumes, better air quality. Lower running costs, dramatically better comfort levels, and better for the environment. Pete's "triple win" explained.07:35 – Addressing the Negativity Around Heat Pumps Why do heat pumps get such a bad press? April explains the reason: they're always pushed to run at low temperatures for efficiency, and when they're not designed or installed properly, problems follow. The solution: use SEAI-registered contractors.07:52 – The New Heat Pump Grant: €12,500 Explained Breakdown of the new grant: €6,500 base + €4,000 renewable heat bonus + €2,000 for central heating upgrades (radiators or underfloor heating). Now covers 60–65% of overall costs in most cases.09:17 – Heat Pump vs Oil Boiler: The Real Comparison Yes, a boiler swap costs less upfront. But you're locking in fossil fuels for another 15–20 years. Carbon taxes are going one way. The grants are there now — this is the time to make the switch.11:59 – What a Heat Pump Installation Actually Involves Outdoor unit, new cylinder, updated radiators if needed. A typical retrofit swap-out takes about two days. April walks through exactly what to expect and what gets disrupted.13:27 – Comfort Levels: The Thing No One Talks About Enough Lower flow temperatures, consistent background heat, no blast-and-freeze cycle. The difference in comfort when moving from oil/gas to a heat pump is something homeowners consistently rave about.16:36 – Air Quality & Health Benefits No combustion, no flue, no fumes. A heat pump means cleaner air inside your home. A benefit that's often overlooked.17:35 – Changing Your Habits with a Heat Pump Leaving oil and gas behind means leaving behind the Irish habit of rationing heat. With a heat pump, you set your temperature and leave it — consistent, low, ambient heat all the time. Don't turn it off when you go out.20:07 – Just Leave It Alone The single most important piece of advice for heat pump owners. Set it, leave it. No need to interfere. The system manages itself.22:19 – Servicing & Maintenance Heat pumps should be serviced every year — it's a condition of warranty in most cases. Not expensive, not complicated. Don't wait for something to go wrong.23:57 – Heat Pump Reliability April and Ferg's experience: no callbacks, no breakdowns. When sized and installed correctly, heat pumps just quietly and consistently do their job.25:05 – How to Apply for the Grant: Step by Step Go online to the SEAI portal, enter your MPRN, get instant approval. Then get your energy assessment, choose a registered installer, get the work done, ...