But I view telling the truth to power as a civic duty, however it is taken. And there are times when your faith in doing the right thing is repaid.

Last week, I was in a conversation with a Whitehall official about the heat pump market. A while ago I observed that the retrofit market was flatlining; I went further last week to suggest it was trending downwards for the first quarter. The official line from DESNZ a few months ago was “we don’t recognise those numbers”, last week it had changed to acknowledging the growth area was in new build and the retrofit market was tough. Progress.

Having spent years arguing that switching from a gas boiler to a heat pump is not a financially attractive option, spark gap and all that, only to be told that this view was too negative and under special tariffs cost savings could be made. I was surprised to hear, but not to know, that for low-income families solar panels would give a better financial return than switching to a heat pump.

To hear your words of warning coming out of someone else’s mouth is a bit disconcerting but ultimately it shows that eventually, even if it is through gritted teeth, truth will out.

In this same conversation, I was told hybrid heating systems have no role to play in the future of a decarbonised heating system. The future was full electrification only. I smiled,  inwardly, and just thought to myself “let’s just see where we are in five years’ time” and geared myself up to a future statement that heralds the middle ground; a practical and realistic option for some homes, reducing carbon and bills. Mark the space in your diaries.