Energy Unwrapped Podcast

Energy Unwrapped Podcast

Energy Unwrapped is my podcast about energy, renewables and real-world home electrification.

I created it to have the kind of conversations I wish more people could hear. Clear, honest chats about heat pumps, solar, batteries, EVs, smart tariffs, energy costs and how this stuff actually works in real homes.

Some episodes are guest interviews with people from across the energy world. Others are solo deep dives where I unpack topics like tariffs, system design, performance data and the lessons I’ve learned on my own renewable journey.

This is not about hype. It is about helping homeowners understand what works, what does not, and how to make better decisions with real information.

Where to Listen

You can find Energy Unwrapped with Mick Wall on the main podcast platforms:

• Find all platform links via Podlink: Energy Unwrapped with Mick Wall

• Spotify: Energy Unwrapped with Mick Wall

• Apple Podcasts: Energy Unwrapped with Mick Wall

• YouTube playlist: full video episodes and clips

It would be amazing if you could subscribe on YouTube to help the channel grow and reach more people.  Thank you.

What the podcast covers

Expect episodes on topics such as:

• Heat pumps and low temperature heating

• Solar panels, batteries and EV charging

• Smart tariffs including Octopus Agile, Tracker, Go and Cosy

• Real-world performance and running costs

• Installer quality, design choices and commissioning

• The wider shift to cleaner, smarter home energy

Watch or listen your way

If you prefer audio, the podcast is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. If you prefer video, you can watch episodes on YouTube through the Energy Unwrapped Podcast playlist.

Episode List

Browse the latest Energy Unwrapped episodes below. Each one has its own page with a summary, links to the audio version, the YouTube video, and a full transcript split into useful sections.

Is Solar Worth It in the UK? with Gary Does Solar

In the first full episode of Energy Unwrapped, I’m joined by Gary from Gary Does Solar to look at one of the biggest homeowner questions in renewables: is solar worth it in the UK? We talk about solar panels, batteries, export tariffs, inverter sizing, installer quality and what really affects payback in the real world.

[Is Solar Worth It in the UK? with Gary Does Solar]

Octopus Agile & Heat Pump Costs | Phil Steele (Octopus Energy)

In this episode, I talk to Phil Steele from Octopus Energy about Octopus Agile, heat pump running costs, smart tariffs, solar, batteries and why the right tariff can matter just as much as chasing a better COP. It is a practical conversation about smarter home energy and how different bits of kit work together.

[Octopus Agile & Heat Pump Costs | Phil Steele (Octopus Energy)]

Smart Heat Pump Control | Havenwise

This episode looks at smart heat pump control with Alex Nelson from Havenwise. We get into weather compensation, smarter flow temperature decisions, hot water timing, time-of-use tariffs and why better controls can make a heat pump easier to live with while also helping reduce running costs.

[Smart Heat Pump Control | Havenwise]

From Gas To Heat Pump | Homeowner Story

In this homeowner story, Paul Arundale shares the real journey from gas boiler to heat pump, alongside solar, batteries, EV charging and full home electrification. It is a grounded look at what the switch actually involves, including hot water, controls, system design and the compromises that come with changing a normal family home.

[From Gas To Heat Pump | Homeowner Story]

Water Quality in Heating Systems | Thoroughflush

In this episode, Ricky Prescott from Thoroughflush explains why water quality matters so much for boilers and heat pumps. We cover sludge, flushing, filters, inhibitors, VDI and the common water problems that can damage heating systems or cause long-term reliability issues.

[Water Quality in Heating Systems | Thoroughflush]

Are Heat Pumps Noisy? | Jez Climas

Jez Climas joins me to unpack one of the most common heat pump questions: are they noisy? We cover the real-world sound of modern heat pumps, the MCS 42 dB rule, siting, vibration, pipework noise and why many systems are quieter than people expect.

[Are Heat Pumps Noisy? | Jez Climas]

Women in Renewables | Rhiannon de Wreede

In this episode, Rhiannon de Wreede shares her journey into renewables, from fixing a tap at home to working across solar, batteries and heat pumps. We talk about retraining, breaking into the industry, real-world home energy setups and the barriers still facing women in renewables.

[ Women in Renewables | Rhiannon de Wreede ]

Why Intelligent Octopus Go Had to Change | Alex Schoch

In this episode, Alex Schoch from Octopus Energy explains the changes to Intelligent Octopus Go, including the new charging cap, how smart EV charging works, and why tariffs are moving towards more flexible, time-based pricing. We also cover export rates, grid flexibility and what the future of home energy looks like.

[ Why Intelligent Octopus Go Had to Change | Alex Schoch ]

Future Homes Standard | Nigel Banks

In this episode, Nigel Banks from Octopus Energy explains the Future Homes Standard, including the move to heat pumps, mandatory solar on new builds and the end of gas boilers. We also talk about what this means for house builders, costs, install quality and whether new homes will finally be built right first time.

[ Future Homes Standard | Nigel Banks ]