Anyone used Rointe heaters?

Polemic

I'm extremely relieved that I found this forum as it provided the background for my mum [text deleted by MSE Forum Team].

The marketing tactics employed by companies promoting these wünder products clearly convince the un-savvy; I suspect there will be many who pay through the nose for these products only to see an increase in energy costs too.

I live in a village close to my mum, in a modernist '60s home with large areas of glass and poor insulation. We have no mains gas, oil is problematic and LPG is bonkers; electric heating is the only option.

After much research I fitted a hybrid heating system in my home; Nobo panel heaters with a wireless control system and a Panasonic air source heat pump; these work with an existing a log burning stove. This works for us and overall I'm not too phased (please excuse the pun...) with the energy cost for the house as a whole; E7 electricity runs the DHW and washing machine/dishwasher during the night and in very cold weather we use the Nobo panels at night too to keep the the core temperature of the house up.

As we're out at work during the day, the Nobo panels only kick-in to comfort mode after 5:30 pm at which point the the ASHP is switched on too and if required, the wood burner lit.

ASHP are not without issues though; when it is extremely cold outside it enters a defrost cycle which can be as much as 8 minutes every hour. This can be an issue with the rooms cooling quickly.

Had we been able to, I would be running an ASHP or GSHP with underfloor heating; the defrost cycle would not be an issue with the thermal mass of the floor smoothing out heat/no-heat periods.

I'm convinced this is the best option for cost-effective electric heating, but - as ever - it's a spreadsheet exercise taking into account the capital cost of installation and running costs.

PS I should add that my entire system (Nobo panels, control system and Panasonic Inverter air-to-air ASHP) cost £3,800 to purchase and install.

Cardew

Excellent post!

At over £1,000 a radiator, these salesmen don't need to con many people to make a good living.

Interesting points on Air to Air heat pumps - not sure that I agree with you about an ASHP with UFH solving the defrosting cycle issue.

I wish more people would follow your example and take into account the capital cost of installing heat pumps in their calculations. Many people on MSE are paying well in excess of £10,000 for a system. Just the lost interest on that sum will amount to several hundred pounds PA - let alone paying off the additional capital.

Your contribution to the various threads on Heat pumps would be welcome.

Polemic

Cardew wrote: »

Interesting points on Air to Air heat pumps - not sure that I agree with you about an ASHP with UFH solving the defrosting cycle issue.

We use an air-to-air ASHP and when the internal unit switches off as the external unit goes into the defrost cycle there is no heat emitted. This no-heat/heat situation is very noticeable.

Were I doing it again I would have substantial concrete sub-floors to achieve as large a thermal mass as possible; the ASHP or GSHP (water-to-water in this case) would also be run on off-peak E7 electricity as much as possible, effectively making the floors massive storage heaters.

lovesgshp

Were I doing it again I would have substantial concrete sub-floors to achieve as large a thermal mass as possible; the ASHP or GSHP (water-to-water in this case) would also be run on off-peak E7 electricity as much as possible, effectively making the floors massive storage heaters.

This is obviously not the right thread, but just to answer your point above. The floor here 120 sq mtrs, has approx 10 tonnes of concrete, reinforced for earthquakes, plus underfloor heating and tiled floors. Heating is via a 11kw output GSHP. In the depth of winter, pump operating times are on average 12 hrs per day, so your floor mass would cool down and the pump would work harder to recover the heat lost on the E7 rate (probably switching in the electric heater element after 1hr). Heat pumps are meant to operate 24/7 to keep a stable room temperature.

penrhyn

Good idea the reinforced floor, should prevent those pesky Silurians coming to the surface.:D

lovesgshp

penrhyn wrote: »

Good idea the reinforced floor, should prevent those pesky Silurians coming to the surface.:D

It's the first floor !!!! They can still get through the ground floor as still being renovated.:rotfl::rotfl:

penrhyn

O smeg!

Whoops wrong franchise!

steviegee1982

Hello Everyone.

A couple of years ago you all persuaded me not to buy Rointe heaters on this thread.

I still come back to this thread as I still find it interesting (and funny sometimes LOL). I have also put other people inmy flats off buying the wrong electric heating - I am seen as a bit of a heating authority now - ROFL.

The reason why Im back on is ROINTE HAVE BEEN DONE AGAIN BY THE ADVERTISING STANDARDS



I tried to add a link before and it wouldnt let me so if the link doesnt show, just google it.

I didnt understand some of what was said but I what I would ask is when do they get in proper trouble and get fined or something as it just seems they change the ad a bit but still spout the same rubbish?

No doubt there'll be another letter from there boss saying how it is all a mistake and a new advert will appear but as long as you guys keep pointing out the truth, then they might eventually learn.

The truth is out there! (somewhere!!!)

Cardew

http://www.asa.org.uk/ASA-action/Adjudications/2012/6/Rointe/SHP_ADJ_186824.aspx

twiggster

Hello there

I am seeking advice as this has been debated quite fiercely over the years.

We have just removed a solid fuel heating Rayburn from the house, as the OH deemed it too much hassle!

So now we have a wet CH system, with rads but with no power source. So what do I now go with?

Electric Combi Boiler? Electric Radiators? Panel Heaters? Air Source Pumps? Infared Heating?

We have a budget around £2000.

We have 2 small children so we have to take into account safety as well. I hear the panel heaters are quite hot to touch and with little ones running around might not be such a good idea?

Combi boiler? But I hear expensive to run and not as easy to regulate as having rads in each room with their own thermostat?

Infared heating? Is this supposed to be the heating of the future?

In short I need something that I can regulate with a timer and thermostat. Safe to have with children playing around.
Something that produces a "clean" heat etc, for example no burning smells of dust.
And lastly it looks Ok, pleasing to the eye!

I have been over these forums and my head is spinning, with what to choose???

Help!!!