BetaTalk - The Renewable Energy and Low Carbon Heating Podcast
"Nathan is brilliant at making the complicated simple..." Amber Rudd (Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change 2015-16)BetaTalk is an award winning podcast for Local Authorities, Social Housing Groups, Think Tanks, Government, Journalists, Consultants, Developers, Gas, Oil and Heat Pump engineers and the general public. It is hosted by Nathan Gambling who's family have been involved with heat pump technologies for nearly half a century. "Nathan is one of the UK's clean heat leaders, so I always watch him closely..." Chris Stark (former CEO of the Climate Change Committee and Head of UK Gov. Mission Control)The podcast fe...
Zero Disrupt Explained: Heat Geek & BetaTalk's Deep Dive with Adam Chapman (New Heat Pump Installation Initiative)
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Welcome back to the BetaTalk podcast! I'm thrilled to be joined by Adam Chapman of Heat Geek for a deep dive into the buzz-generating Zero Disrupt initiative. In this episode, Adam shares the full story behind this new heat pump installation program, explaining how it aims to solve critical industry challenges, including improving affordability for consumers and giving homeowners greater choice on system efficiency. If you're keen to understand the strategy and hear what this bold move means for the evolving industry, this is a must-listen episode.
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Heat Pump in a Three-Storey, Timber-Framed Grade II listed building in Buckinghamshire
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This episode of Betatalk features a detailed examination of a bespoke heat pump heating system designed by engineers within the Guild of Master Heat Engineers. We speak with Mark Denman of Custom Renewables and Alex Hilton, the homeowner and a wonderful guest who provides valuable insight into sustainability.
The engineers are leading heat geeks in the field, and this installation served as an excellent peer-to-peer learning opportunity for the community.
We also dedicate time to discussing Zero Disrupt, a new initiative from Heat Geek.
This heat pump...
Innovation in Heat Pump Technology Part Two
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Nathan is joined by Jonathan Siviter at Thermoelectric Conversion Systems (TCS), Ren Kang at Mixergy and Andreas Fechs at Kensa to discuss how innovation through the Heat Pump Ready projects has improved heat pump technology, the impact this could have on the market, and what future innovation is needed
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Innovative Finance Models for Heat Pump Deployment
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Nathan is joined by Zachary Gill at Energiesprong and Matthew Boyes at Hometree Finance to discuss the different innovative approaches that have been developed by Heat Pump Ready projects, the key lessons from the programme about finance models to support heat pump deployment and the insights into making finance affordable and attractive for consumers.
Disclaimer:
All the views expressed in this episode do not represent the views of the Government or any of their departments.
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Innovation in Heat Pump Technology - A Heat Pump Ready Episode
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Nathan is joined by Christopher Taylor at Vital Energy, Richard Barwick at RJ Barwick and Russell Murchie at Nusku to discuss how innovation through the Heat Pump Ready projects has improved heat pump technology and the ease of installation of heat pumps in difficult to decarbonise homes, the impact this could have on the market, and what future innovation is still needed.
NEWS FLASH
The Guild of Master Heat Engineers is coming. Read more here and sign up to the newsletter
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Trade Media Uncovered - The Digital Shift in the HVAC Sector
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A New Voice Meets Old Hands: BetaTalk's host Nathan, new to media, chats with his friends Joe Sharpe, Joe Dart and Andrew Gavid at Lyrical Communications
Episode Summary:
In this special episode of Trade Media Uncovered, host Nathan Gambling of the BetaTalk podcast steps into the world of long-standing trade journalism. Nathan, a new voice in the heating sector's media landscape, sits down with the pioneers who have shaped the industry's discourse for decades.
We delve into the fascinating history of trade media...
HomeTree's Flywheel: How Acquiring Local SMEs Drives a Customer-Centric Energy Business
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Join Nathan on this episode of BetaTalk as he sits down with Olly Cutting, Johann Kühns, and Pranjal Arya from HomeTree. The team from HomeTree shares their incredible journey, from a boiler installation company to a multifaceted energy services provider. We learn how Olly and Pranjal's economic backgrounds, combined with Johann's expertise in Climate Change management and finance from Imperial College London, have shaped their innovative, data-driven approach.
The Customer Journey Flywheel
The conversation centers on HomeTree's innovative business model, structured around a "customer journey f...
Discussing Ambient Loop Heat Networks and Exhaust Air Heat Pumps with Qvantum
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Join Nathan this week for an exclusive episode recorded live from the Qvantum HQ in Sweden! Nathan sits down with a team of true industry heavyweights to discuss the future of heating solutions for multi-occupancy dwellings.
In this insightful conversation, Nathan is joined by his good friend and a titan of the European heat pump sector, Thomas Nowak. As the former General Secretary of the European Heat Pump Association for nearly 18 years, Thomas shares his unparalleled knowledge of how Europe is tackling the challenge of heating decarbonisation.
We also...
Air to Air in Domestic Properties
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Expanding Horizons: BetaTalk's New Newsletter and Website!
We're thrilled to announce that BetaTalk is growing! In addition to our regular podcast episodes, we're launching a brand new newsletter and an associated website. This expansion will allow us to bring you even more in-depth content, industry news, and valuable insights into the world of heat pumps and sustainable building.
Our newsletter, launching shortly, will be your go-to source for the latest industry developments, insightful opinion pieces from the third sector, and crucially, real-world heat pump case studies from...
Talking Heat Pumps with Rhiannon
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Rhiannon and Nathan discuss the recent Installer Show 2025 at Birmingham NEC, covering current trends within the heating industry, including issues related to training.
This season is sponsored by Intergas
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Heat Pump Books & Heat Pump Training
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In this episode Nathan chats to his friend Ian Edgeworth, author of the recent books "Wellcome to the Wonderful world of Air source Heat Pumps - What Kept You" and "The Pocket Guide to Low Temperature Central Heating"
You can find the books at New Perspectives.Com
Listen to Ian's journey into teaching and what he and Nathan think of the current situation regarding heat pump training.
This season is being sponsored by Intergas who make the quality xylinder - a heat pump cylinder
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IS THE GRANT FOR HEAT PUMP QUALIFICATIONS A HOUSE OF CARDS?
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The latest episode of BetaTalk dives deep into a topic of critical importance for the future of skilled trades and green technology: the intricate world of Vocational Training Qualifications (VTQs) and how they stack up against General Qualifications (GQs).
Host Nathan Gambling, always at the forefront of heating and skills discussions, explores a key differentiator in VTQs: the expectation that ALL learning outcomes must be truly mastered for a qualification to be awarded. This isn't just about passing an exam; it's about demonstrating genuine competence.
What makes this particularly "...
Heat Recovery: Turning Waste into Warmth with DK Heat Recovery
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This week on the podcast, Nathan sits down with Nigel from DK Heat Recovery to discuss an innovative approach to energy efficiency.
Many businesses across the UK, like meat and food processing plants and butchers, rely on cold storage rooms kept cool by heat pump systems. These facilities also require significant amounts of hot water for their washing-down processes. Similarly, gyms use heat pump systems to maintain a comfortable temperature for workouts and need plenty of hot water for showers.
Traditionally, the heat generated by these cooling systems is...
Unpacking Heat Pump Finance: The BUS Consultation & Third-Party Solutions
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Join Nathan's guests David & Rob from Fornax and dive into the nitty-gritty of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) consultation and explore how third-party finance could be the key to unlocking widespread domestic heat pump adoption. We'll break down the "finance gap challenge," look at what makes third-party ownership work, and dissect the pros and cons of different financing models.
In this episode, we discuss:
The Finance Gap Challenge: Why current BUS grants alone aren't enough for mass market adoption and how existing loan products fall short...The Installer Show MD's Personal Heat Pump Journey
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Join us for a fascinating conversation with Mike Costain, the Managing Director of The Installer Show! In this special episode, we pull back the curtain on the UK's leading event for heating and plumbing professionals, exploring what's new, what's next, and how the show is expanding its horizons internationally.
But that's not all! Mike also shares his invaluable personal experience as a homeowner, detailing the installation and performance of his own heat pump system. He opens up about the common misconceptions and knowledge gaps within the building industry that can hinder...
Improving the Heat Pump Customer Journey
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In the fourth episode of the Heat Pump Ready special bulletin series, Nathan talks to three Heat Pump Ready projects to discuss the topic of ‘Improving the customer journey’. Nathan is joined by Jack Jarvis from EDF, Gareth Robertson from Thermly and Lucy Fairchild from Oxford City Council to discuss.
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Smart Heat, Smart Savings: An Expert Consumer Meets Havenwise
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In this episode, Nathan invites Mick Wall, his 'expert consumer,' back to have a discussion with the lads from Havenwise, a company dedicated to helping with quality heat pump installations. Havenwise runs an API which optimizes the weather curves on the heat pump, as well as looking at time-of-use tariffs. You can choose to use various functionalities. For example, Mick only uses the optimizer for his space heating. Nathan likes what Henri and Alex at Havenwise are trying to achieve. Take a listen...it's a very enjoyable one!
This season...
Intergas Stainless Steel Cylinders - A Heat Pump Game Changer?
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Join host Nathan Gambling as he journeys to Intergas HQ alongside legendary heat pump engineer Steve Webster to get the inside scoop on their high-quality stainless steel hot water cylinders, specifically designed for heat pump systems. Steve shares his firsthand experience testing these cylinders on recent installations, highlighting their exceptional build quality and resilience during transportation – a welcome change from the damage often encountered with other brands.In this insightful episode, Nathan, Steve, and Intergas's Dave Hall delve into:
The Intergas Manufacturing Process: Get a behind-the-scenes look at how these ro...RAG vs. Hallucinations: The Truth About AI in the Trades
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Episode Description: Host Nathan dives into the rapidly evolving world of Artificial Intelligence and its potential impact on the plumbing and heating industry. Joining him are Barrie and Amrit from Lorefuly, experts in leveraging technology for the trades.
Key Discussion Points:
Beyond Three Days: Rethinking Heat Pump Installation Training
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Nathan speaks with Leah Robson, owner of a small SME (Your Energy Your Way) installing heat pumps, batteries, and solar, about her recent appearance at Westminster. Leah gave evidence to the "Workforce Planning to Deliver Clean, Secure Energy" Committee, invited through Ellora Coupe of "Her Retrofit Space." The discussion centres on whether Leah's concerns about workforce training, particularly for heat pump installation, were understood by the committee.
Key Discussion Points:
Westminster Testimony: Leah shares her experience presenting to the committee and her assessment of whether her...Are Industry Associations Still Relevant? A Deep Dive with the Heat Pump Association
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In this insightful episode, host Nathan sits down with two key figures from the Heat Pump Association (HPA) – CEO Charlotte Lea and Chair Craig Dolan – to explore the role the HPA plays in the evolving UK heating landscape. They delve into the value the association brings to the industry, particularly as the nation transitions towards low-carbon heating solutions.
The conversation tackles the fundamental question of whether industry associations are still necessary in today's rapidly changing world. Charlotte and Craig passionately argue for their continued relevance, highlighting their crucial function in providing a un...
Thoughts on Heat Pump Systems from Experienced Engineer Dan Large
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Nathan chats with Dan Large a Director at Solaris Energy. Dan has been involved with the design, installation and maintenance of heat pump heating systems for a good number of years.
The important topic of water quality comes up and Solaris Energy use VDI 2035 methods rather than a chemical inhibitor approach.
Dan is on the installer working group at MCS and gives insight into this process.
The episode also discusses heat pump controls and how Dan and Solaris Energy have become involved with the heat pump manufacturer Kr...
A Personal Heat Pump Journey and the Power of Mentorship
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Welcome back to BetaTalk, the podcast dedicated to exploring the exciting world of renewable heating! In this episode, host Nathan is joined by two fantastic guests: Barry Sharp from Renewable Heat and a familiar voice to BetaTalk listeners, and Scott Sanford who has recently embarked on his own renewable heating journey.
Our conversation kicks off with a fascinating deep dive into Scott's personal experience installing a Viessmann heat pump system in his own home. We hear firsthand about his installation journey, the challenges and triumphs he faced, and the benefits he's...
Weather Compensation: The Missing Link in Efficient Heating? (feat. Ken Bone from Ultimate Renewables Supplies)
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Welcome back to the show! In this episode, I'm joined by a good friend and expert in the renewable energy sector, Ken Bone from Ultimate Renewables Supplies. Ken and I dive deep into a topic that's crucial for efficient heating and the future of low-carbon homes: weather compensated heating systems.
One of the key points we explore is the apparent lack of understanding within the installer base regarding weather compensation. It's surprising, considering that condensing boilers – mandated way back in 2005 – operate much more efficiently when paired with this...
Double Standards in Water Treatment: A UK vs. Europe Story
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In this eye-opening episode, we delve into the contrasting approaches to water treatment in European domestic heating systems for corrosion prevention. While the UK predominantly champions chemical inhibitor solutions under the EN BS 7593 standard, many European nations embrace a wider range of methods. Surprisingly, some UK chemical inhibitor manufacturers who exclusively promote their products domestically readily offer non-chemical alternatives on the continent. Host Nathan interviews Ricky Prescott from Thoroughflush, who sheds light on the shortcomings of the BS 7593 standard. Ricky argues that manufacturers of chemical inhibitors often fail to provide...
Can a Boat Race Champion Revolutionise Home Heating? Find Out!
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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, Nathan Gambling sits down with Henry Pelly, an extraordinary individual who seamlessly blends these worlds.
Our guest is a Principal Sustainability Consultant at the renowned Max Fordham, a qualified architect holding Masters degrees in Environmental Design and Environmental Psychology – a powerful combination for understanding how buildings impact both our planet and our well-being.
We explore his fascinating career journey, which has recen...
Heat Pump Strategies: Insights from the UK for US Homeowners
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Ever wondered how heat pump systems differ between the UK and the US? In this episode, Nathan chats with Shreyas Sudhakar, a leading heat pump installer and educator from California, to explore the contrasting approaches. Nathan, who has fond memories of his time in America, and his apprenticeship on a US airbase in the UK, emphasises the strong connection he feels to the country. He and Shreyas engage in a fun discussion, highlighting the strengths of both systems and gently suggesting areas where US installations might benefit from UK insights. They both strongly...
THE UK's LEGENDARY HEAT PUMP INSTALLER
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Damon Blackmore is a massive favourite among other competent heat pump installation engineers.
He uses social media to help other heating engineers become interested in heat pump systems and has some of the highest performing heat pumps in the country.
Unfortunately, the voices of good engineers are being drowned out by the comms pieces from much larger entities involved in the sector.
Take a listen to someone actually at the coal face of industry...day in day out.
This episode is sponsored by Primary Pro a pr...
Problems with OFGEM - A conversation with Adam Bell
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Nathan chats to Adam Bell, Director of Policy at Stonehaven about:
Ofgem and the recent findings from Citizens AdviceThe CfD (Contracts for Difference) consultation the report from the National Infrastructure Commission's - Electricity Distribution Networks: Creating capacity for the future PylonsMCSYou can find Adam on Linkedin and his blog site Unbalancing Mechanism
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Visit A Heat Pump - The Successful Nesta project
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Heat pump owners around the UK have joined the Nesta scheme whereby they allow visitors to come visit them and ask questions about their heating system.
Nathan chats to Codrina Cretu and Andy Marsden about the benefits of this free scheme to people thinking of having a heat pump as well as the benefits to installation engineers who can use it as a marketing tool.
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How smart, connected and flexible heat pumps can deliver lower fuel bills and higher customer satisfaction
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Episode 3 of the Heat Pump Ready programme.
Nathan chats to
Ian Rose arPassiv UK,
Casey Cole at Guru,
and Mark Lufkin at Wondrwall
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Did the Government funded Heat Pump Trial Fail?
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Nathan talks with Katrina from Energy Systems Catapult and Trysten Lee from Open Energy Monitor about a key question surrounding the Electrification of Heat (EoH) trial: why did the heat pumps perform so poorly? The trial, involving aprox. 740 heat pumps, showed an average Seasonal Performance Factor (SPF) of just 2.81 for air source.
This contrasts sharply with the performance of heat pumps monitored by Trysten at HeatPumpMonitor.org (HPM). Interestingly, many of the installers whose systems are tracked on HPM are relatively new to the field, some with only a few years...
Is MVHR any good?
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Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery systems are discussed with Nathan's guests Duncan and Barry Sharp.
Regular listeners will know Barry from previous episodes of BetaTalk and is one of Nathan's favourite heat pump engineers based in Scotland.
Duncan is Barry's dad and has been specialising in MVHR systems since around 2010.
The discussion looks at how effective MVHR is and the problems with design, installation and commissioning.
Duncan spends a lot of his time helping others understand MVHR and is involved in surveying the systems in social h...
Expert Heat Pump Customers - Mick Wall Interview
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Nathan interviews Mick Wall, a self-proclaimed 'heating nerd,' about his experiences with a heat pump expertly installed by Damon Blackmore, a renowned engineer. Mick's story, like those of Trystan and Glyn featured on episode 10 of BetaTalk's 10th season (who run heatpumpmonitor.org), exemplifies a fascinating shift: the rise of informed heat pump consumers. Their deep understanding around the "science of heat" surpasses that of many professionals in the industry's marketing, media, and PR sectors.
Mick's heat pump heating system is being monitored here
Mick also runs Energy Stats...
Spruce up Your Home with a Heat Pump
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Nathan talks to Steph Willis and Joseph Saxby, founders of Spruce.
Lot's of topics covered in this exciting conversation such as heat loss, heat pump sizing and EPCs
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How Boiler Engineers Transition to Heat Pumps
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Nathan chats to Iain from Edinburg Heating about his journey into heat pumps.
Iain has been using Barry at Renewable Heat (and a BetaTalk regular guest) as a mentor.
Training course are discussed as well the barriers micro-businesses face in transitioning from boilers to heat pump heating systems.
SEASON TEN IS SPONSORED BY
Ultimate Renewable Supplies
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UK's Top Performing Heat Pump Systems on Heat Pump Monitor
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Nathan welcomes back to the show Trystan and Glyn, the brilliant team behind heatpumpmonitor.org
BetaTalk would also like to mention the legendary John Cantor, one of the UK's first ever heat pump gurus, who has helped the team develop this wonderful learning tool
This show is PACKED with fantastic information so check out the chapter markers if you need to find specific pieces of information. But make sure you listen to the whole show...you won't want to miss this one.
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Top Heat Pump Installers in Somerset & Sussex
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Notorious heat pump design expert Michael, from Option Energy Solutions in Brighton Sussex, comes on the show with Tom from Somerset.
Tom runs Arlow Plumbing and Heating and has a team of five involved in the installation of gas and oil boilers. Tom started installing heat pumps quite a few years ago and has recently teamed up with Michael who has provided some mentorship.
The conversation naturally discussed training, one of the subjects Nathan at BetaTalk is regarded as being an expert on. The episode is more...
MCS ISSUE A CEASE and DESIST
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The microgeneration certification scheme (MCS) recently became aware of a non-certified business targeting and encouraging MCS installers to break scheme requirements.
We chat to Ben who has recently become MCS registered to discuss the situation along with his transitional journey into the world of heat pumps.
We also discuss a current topical: Government funded heat pump training, which Nathan argues is not working as well as it should.
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Mentorship or Send Gas Engineers on Heat Pump PowerPoint Courses?
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In this podcast Nathan chats with his friends Barry from Renewable Heat and Matt from Matt Rigby Heating Ltd.
The guests and Nathan discuss Matts journey from a gas engineer to a heat pump engineer. It mentions how Barry has provided mentorship which is a far better way to help gas engineers transition than the current system of just sending them on a powerpoint course.
This season is sponsored by Ultimate Renewables Supplies
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