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

arty68

Probably should have put a bit more detail in the orginal post,

It's a CTC ecoair 110 outside and a ctc ecoel inside (same as the sanyo), the house is a new build but so insullation levels are good but nothing OTT , it a 4 bedroomed detached house with about 175m2 floor space UFH downstairs and rads upstairs. We also have a wood burner in the lounge we use sometimes.

The stats are set at 20.5/21
We have night time /working hours reduction set a -2c

Any other info you need let me know.

rdcox

Hi,

I am in the process of purchasing a 4 bed house in High Wycombe that was built in 1973 and is set on a hillside. It hasn't yet got cavity wall insulation and the loft insulation looks pretty ropey which I will address fairly early on. It does have double glazing though suspect this is also quite old and probably not that efficient. The living area / kitchen etc is open plan.

It currently has an old oil fired boiler with warm air heating via ducted vents with outlets in the floor. The house pretty much needs gutting and I could put in underfloor heating if necessary.

The two properties adjacent to this one have gas mains installed though the houses are a good 15 metres away from the main road. Not sure why gas was never installed in this one. Not sure if I can piggyback off one of their mains or if I would have to get my own supply in from the road which would be difficult and probably expensive due to a shared in/out communal driveway.

I have been advised by a heating engineer friend of mine to consider using an air source heat pump and wonder if this would be the best way forward rather than continue using oil. If so, would it be better to use underfloor heating as well as radiators in each room and can these be themostatically controlled on a room by room basis as obviously some rooms will heat quicker than others.

Any advice gratefully received.

Cheers
Richard

razzer71

Hi Forum,
My family and I live in an early 1970's built three bed semi (cotswold stone build, Dormer roof). We presently use storage heaters to heat the property as although gas runs to the street it does not run to the house. I was told about ASHP by a colleague and in principle I like the sound of installing this. Can I ask:
1) alot of talk about the noise, can I be sure that if I installed the outside unit on my boundary with my neighbor it would not irritate him or me (he's a nice bloke after all!)?
2) I have an integral garage(15'x8'x9-10'high) so could the 'outdoor' bit go in there? which will then be next to the 'indoor' boiler bit.
3) some people post horrendous bills going up after the system has been fitted. Is this due to poor installation and how can I be sure of a good supplier and fitter?
4) can I get a reliable system that would negate the need for an Emerson heater (so like a combi boiler)?

thats me done, thanks in anticipation.

Cardew

razzer71 wrote: »

Hi Forum,
My family and I live in an early 1970's built three bed semi (cotswold stone build, Dormer roof). We presently use storage heaters to heat the property as although gas runs to the street it does not run to the house. I was told about ASHP by a colleague and in principle I like the sound of installing this. Can I ask:
1) alot of talk about the noise, can I be sure that if I installed the outside unit on my boundary with my neighbor it would not irritate him or me (he's a nice bloke after all!)?
2) I have an integral garage(15'x8'x9-10'high) so could the 'outdoor' bit go in there? which will then be next to the 'indoor' boiler bit.
3) some people post horrendous bills going up after the system has been fitted. Is this due to poor installation and how can I be sure of a good supplier and fitter?
4) can I get a reliable system that would negate the need for an Emerson heater (so like a combi boiler)?

thats me done, thanks in anticipation.

Welcome to the forum.

If gas is available I personally wouldn't contemplate an ASHP system. Even the very best systems(and it seems a lottery) are no better than gas, and cost a lot more to install.

You need to read some of the threads in this part of MSE - including this one

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2968958

Cardew

MSE has boarded a time machine - the post above was posted on 05 March 2011 at around 7pm. This posted at 8:17pm on 5th March

Post 754
#754
razzer71
27-02-2011, 11:24 AM

#755
Cardew
27-02-2011, 12:49 PM

peat

RHI details announced - ASHP not included - MAY be included after October 2012 when scheme opens for domestic applicants.

StuHolmes

oh F*&%. Seriously.

Cardew

peat wrote: »

RHI details announced - ASHP not included - MAY be included after October 2012 when scheme opens for domestic applicants.

If it is included, it presumably will be a flat rate for all similar sized systems - in bands???

It is impossible to calculate what savings any system makes - even identical systems.

How do you differentiate between, say, a 6kW air to air ASHP in a conservatory and 6kW air to water system producing hot water and heat via radiators?

Huggins

Hi folks - i live in a 1970's 4 bedroom which has an very unusual 'heating system' called flexcell which is basicly electric heating which is built into the ceiling. The system is rubbish - house always feels cold and costs a small fortune to run.

So i'm looking at my options to replace the central heating. House is currently all electric there is no gas. So my options are replacment electric heating system with ASHP, Oil or maybe gas from a large bottle type set up if this is possible?

Any suggestions on the best route? we are planning on staying in the house for the next 10 years.

Any ideas on typical supply + fit prices for a 4 bedroom, usuage/cost to run rates for each system, any governement grants for eco installs? or anything else I would need to consider.

Many thx for any help Huggins

clc5

peat wrote: »

RHI details announced - ASHP not included - MAY be included after October 2012 when scheme opens for domestic applicants.

I have mains gas but had planned to install ASHP if RHI tariff was along the lines proposed in the consultation document. Without RHI it made no sense financially. I had spent time and money getting planning permission, and applying for interest free loan and 30 % grant from Scottish Govt. After 7 months waiting for confirmation of RHI my loan and grant offers expired a few weeks ago so I had to abandon the whole plan. I'm very glad I didn't take a gamble and go ahead with ASHP in the hope that It would be eligible for RHI and the tariff etc would make it financially viable. I've now installed a new combi boiler.!