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

rhubarbe

How does the run cost compare between an air source heat pump and other heating systems.

in an average house (3bed semi 1000sq ft.) the heating and hot water bill for gas would be £1000 a year. this compares to £800 for a heat pump, £1200 for LPG and £1500 for oil. Heat pumps offer the lowest run cost compared to fossil fuel boilers.

I'm sorry but this is a load of old cojones. If gas costs £1000 at what, 2.45ppkWh, then LPG (at at least 50p per Litre - and rising every time you phone up for some more) is at least £2000.

Is their a risk that we will be reducing suburban and urban air temperature by installing an air source heat pump?

No

ROFLMAO

Our consumption still running at 70-85kWh per week. Last summer 65-75kWh per week and a tenner's worth of LPG to combi up some hot water. No heating in last year's figures; maybe five hours a week heating at present using Ecodan. Last year maybe £7-10 on coal. This year, no coal used since ASHP fitted in April.

Now, before some smartpants comes on and says that it's not worth spending upwards on five and a half grand to save £17 a week, LOL, please don't - I wasn't installing it to save £17 a week in the summer, but rather the £45 we used on heating every week last Winter.

Just a note on costs. Our Ecodan was installed and cost us £5600. We were lucky enough to get the £400 boiler scrappage; we received £900 grant for the ASHP so a nett cost of £4300. We had been quoted £3800 for a new oil boiler (no gas main) and to fill the new tank we'd have had to have installed (we were on LPG) would have cost £400 this year and God alone knows how much in ten years time.

And before some bleeding heart liberal comes on complaining that pensioners can't afford the investment for a heat pump and therefore rich people like me should not benefit in grants from the taxes that the poor pay on their fossil fuels:

1 I worked for every penny that I have - which is not much.

2 I shall be a pensioner shortly too and will have to be able to afford to replace my ASHP when it reaches end of life.

Right, that's me for the time being.

Ecodan 8.5kW highly recommended - wouldn't be without it. Big thanks to ACS Renewable Solutions Ltd.

No, I don't work for them.

richardc1983

I agree with you in that you can service filters and clean the evaporator coils yourself etc many people dont do this hence service contrats. However I have had to pay £80 last year for regassing/leak finding due to a leak, then I have just paid £85 for one of the units to be switched over onto an unused port as the valve was sticking.

This is probably caused by a tiny piece of swarf from the copper pipe from the cowboys that installed it and has become stuck in the EEV stopping it closing properly. IT would have cost more to have that individual valve replaced as the unit would have to be stripped down.

So yeh I have spent £165 to date since nov last year and that hasnt included having coils cleaned etc which I have done myself...

This could happen with a gas boiler though if not installed properly so I am putting it down to the engineers that have screwed up in the past only now have I found someone worth dealing with who I would have back.

Andy_WSM

richardc1983 wrote: »

then I have just paid £85 for one of the units to be switched over onto an unused port as the valve was sticking.

Ah, so you had this done?

With regards maintenance costs of a gas boiler. I had more problems with my gas boiler year upon year than I have had with the A/C. The heat pump is a no brainer to me, even where gas is available.

richardc1983

Andy_WSM wrote: »

Ah, so you had this done?

With regards maintenance costs of a gas boiler. I had more problems with my gas boiler year upon year than I have had with the A/C. The heat pump is a no brainer to me, even where gas is available.

Oh without a doubt the heat pump is my first choice of heating I will even be looking at the system I linked to for my house when I decide to buy.

I had the work done because I was told that it will cause the compressor to work harder to compensate for refrigerant going to units that are turned off... causing pressure loss so it speeds up to build the pressure.

Catbells

Am just starting to look at various suppliers and installers of air source heat pumps. My neighbour has one for a new build and recommended Daikin. I had a talk with an installer (TerraFirma energy) over the phone and they said the overall price not including survey would be around £8000 for a Sanyo CO2. Have to admit I have only scanned this thread and just saw one mentioning £5500. Our house (when we move in) is 3 bedroom, 2 reception (with loft conversion) Edwardian semi. Thanks.

Catbells

Rhubarb also said they got a ASHP grant. What is this. Also are there any government grants too? Very much doubt it at the moment recessions and all.

rhubarbe

Have a read of this:

http://www.swea.co.uk/renewables/CaseStudy_CraigASHP.pdf

Mr Craig's system is a tad over the top, IMHO, we have an 8.5kW Ecodan and conventional radiators in a 1933 bungalow with about 300mm loft insulation, modern DG, suspended wooden floors and 50% wall insulation.

Works very well..

Best quote (and I had a lot of jokers in very expensive cars turn up) was from these people:

http://www.acsrenewables.co.uk/

Catbells

rhubarbe wrote: »

Have a read of this:

http://www.swea.co.uk/renewables/CaseStudy_CraigASHP.pdf

Mr Craig's system is a tad over the top, around IMHO, we have an 8.5kW Ecodan and conventional radiators in a 1933 bungalow with about 300mm loft insulation, modern DG, suspended wooden floors and 50% wall insulation.

Works very well..

Best quote (and I had a lot of jokers in very expensive cars turn up) was from these people:

http://www.acsrenewables.co.uk/

Thanks for link. I was taken aback at Mr Craigs electricity bill for the year - around £3500. Thats not what I have seen so far in my limited research. My neighbour with a 4 bed 3 bath new build pays around £300 a year on electricity. His is fully insulated - maybe Mr Craig's house is poorly insulated.

Low Carbon Building Programme (Department of energy and Climate Change) are not taking any applications right now - would imagine on instructions from government as part of cutbacks. This was advertised on the article about Mr Craig's house by the way.

rhubarbe

Politically, it won't look good if Govt is seen to be cutting back in promotion of renewable energy.

Andy_WSM

rhubarbe wrote: »

Politically, it won't look good if Govt is seen to be cutting back in promotion of renewable energy.

I don't think this lot care. I've heard rumor that FITs are under review - I hope it's just that, a rumor!