UPDATED: Air Source Heat Pumps/Air Con - Full Info & Guide, is it cheaper to run than mains gas?

samtheman1k

rhubarbe wrote: »

I said that I would come back and report my meter readings.

Since we had the ASHP installed in April we have loads of hot water, so we can have a bath again, and the washing machine doesn't have to heat the hot water that the combi boiler didn't provide. The ASHP comes on to heat water at 5:00am and switches off, job done, at about twenty five past. This gives us 150L of hot water that usually lasts us all day.

We have not had to use the heating much but we are happy that the use of this isn't exorbitant (I appreciate that it is Summer).

Last Summer (pre-ASHP) we were using about 60-70 units electricity a week and about £5 a week in LPG.

This year we are using about 70 units electricity a week and no LPG.

I call that a result.

I will update as we start to use heating as the weather gets colder.

It's also quieter; breaks the ice at parties and saves us having to go down the oil route.

On a very hot day you can switch it on to hot water only and go and sit outside in front of the fan (which blows ice cold air) - bliss!

I'd recommend one.

Is the £5 pw saving really a result? Given the installation/purchase costs?

Whilst I'm sure you will save money over LPG, I'd wait until next spring until you can claim a result!

samtheman1k

Cardew wrote: »

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2610437

Not a happy camper!!

Ok, I have done a quick bit of research, mainly from here:

http://info.cooling4industry.co.uk/b...0/3242271.html

In short, if it contains more than 3kg of refrigerant, then yes, it needs inspecting every year, UNLESS, it is a hermetically sealed unit, i.e. airtight, which I think most air-to-water type systems are? Pretty sure the Ecodan is as it comes as a 'plug and play' unit. In this case, the limit is 6kg.

However, the Ecodan only contains 2.4kg of refrigerant, so is exempt either way.

I also posted this on the other thread, but is relevant to both.

rhubarbe

I said that I would post my results. I have entirely no interest in debating anything with a bunch of clever b*ggers and nay sayers.

I'm happy. If you don't like it then frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.

Andy_WSM

I heard that the importer of one of my heat pumps, Trianco, is in Administration. They never got MCS approval, so that's probably part of the reason- and I guess their pumps are older technology, so not as efficient as some of the newer models - Altherma etc.

Fortunately my Trianco Activair is still working well, but sounds like if it develops a fault it may become scrap...

Might give the Trianco less to do this coming Winter and just have it providing the hot water and heat to a couple of rads, then use the Fujitsu ducted system to provide the main heat set on it's timer. The Fujitsu is working well, in cooling mode at the moment, and cleaning the air in the house at the same time.

richardc1983

Andy_WSM wrote: »

I heard that the importer of one of my heat pumps, Trianco, is in Administration. They never got MCS approval, so that's probably part of the reason- and I guess their pumps are older technology, so not as efficient as some of the newer models - Altherma etc.

Fortunately my Trianco Activair is still working well, but sounds like if it develops a fault it may become scrap...

Might give the Trianco less to do this coming Winter and just have it providing the hot water and heat to a couple of rads, then use the Fujitsu ducted system to provide the main heat set on it's timer. The Fujitsu is working well, in cooling mode at the moment, and cleaning the air in the house at the same time.

Hi Andy

I hope you are well.

WHat fujitsu system do you have? I didnt know you had a ducted system thought it was just the Trianco unit.

When you say its cleaning the air does it bring fresh air in from outside or have you high particulate filters installed in it?

Andy_WSM

richardc1983 wrote: »

Hi Andy

I hope you are well.

WHat fujitsu system do you have? I didnt know you had a ducted system thought it was just the Trianco unit.

When you say its cleaning the air does it bring fresh air in from outside or have you high particulate filters installed in it?

Hi Richard, I am good, thanks for asking. Nice to see you still around I have a Fujitsu ARY24LUAN (7.1KW Cooling & 8KW Heating). I have high particulate filters in it, which while they need regular maintenance (replacing every 3 months), it's a whole lot easier than cleaning the house LOL.

I never used to use it for heating as I found it was a drafty heat that I didn't like, but I fitted better diffusers in the ceiling when I decorated recently and these can direct the air down the walls, rather than across the room - if that makes sense? I think it will be a lot better for heating this year.

The Trianco struggled in the cold weather last year, but the Fujitsu is rated down to -10C, which is considered extreme weather here on the coast (although -11C occurred twice last Winter!)

richardc1983

Andy_WSM wrote: »

Hi Richard, I am good, thanks for asking. Nice to see you still around I have a Fujitsu ARY24LUAN (7.1KW Cooling & 8KW Heating). I have high particulate filters in it, which while they need regular maintenance (replacing every 3 months), it's a whole lot easier than cleaning the house LOL.

I never used to use it for heating as I found it was a drafty heat that I didn't like, but I fitted better diffusers in the ceiling when I decorated recently and these can direct the air down the walls, rather than across the room - if that makes sense? I think it will be a lot better for heating this year.

The Trianco struggled in the cold weather last year, but the Fujitsu is rated down to -10C, which is considered extreme weather here on the coast (although -11C occurred twice last Winter!)

Yeh it will be much better for heating than the trianco was so I would just use your trianco for hot water.

I am still around not many air con posts to comment on this time of year but im sure I will be more active when it comes to winter time.

I am using the air con every day and I have tried to thick some better filters rather than the mesh type ones that dont filter much out however the fans are not powerful enough to over come the pressure difference and I get rediculously low air offs such as 4C so was getting complaints of ice cold air circulating the room.

I have since taken them back out as it can also cause liquid to slug back to the compressor as it isnt picking up enough heat technically acting as blocked filters. To use high particulate filters you need to have ducted units that have fans that are designed to cope such as the system you have.

I also bet the the fujitsu system will be cheaper to run than having your trianco running for heating as well.

Can you take some pictures of your system and diffusers?

Andy_WSM

richardc1983 wrote: »

Can you take some pictures of your system and diffusers?

I'll certainly do that later I'll take a snap of the ducting in the loft & the outdoor unit (s) too.

richardc1983

Andy_WSM wrote: »

I'll certainly do that later I'll take a snap of the ducting in the loft & the outdoor unit (s) too.

Looks like were in for an even harsher winter!!!

Have a read through this from page 1 -3 I think it goes backwards way but that forum and the rest are all saying the same, harsh winter.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/newsdebate/r/t-10137958/p-1/index.html

Andy_WSM

richardc1983 wrote: »

Looks like were in for an even harsher winter!!!

Have a read through this from page 1 -3 I think it goes backwards way but that forum and the rest are all saying the same, harsh winter.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/newsdebate/r/t-10137958/p-1/index.html

Oh joy! I've only just got over last Winter, financially & emotionally LOL.

Anyways, here's some pics!

Directional diffuser:



Fujitsu air - air heat pump on the left.
Trianco air - water on the right.

The grey insulated pipes go to the Trianco (carrying hot water). The pipes for the Fujitsu go straight through the wall behind the unit into the loft.

The pipes out the bottom of both units are to catch the condensate and direct it into my rainwater harvesting system (I don't waste a drop!)



Rather untidy loft (aren't they all) with the IDU sat on a wooden platform. The 8" pipes to & from the IDU are all insulated.



Hope that's the sort of thing you're after?