Air to water heat source system

albyota

Hi conger, if you have access to mains gas.....go for a condensing boiler.
The salesman is a salesman.....a heat pump is a little noisier than a fridge, you are not likely to hear it from inside your house, but if it is more the 42dB outside your neighbours habitable room window, you will need planning permission, and you risk upsetting them.

albyota

By the way conger, the RHI has been kicked into the long grass again, so don't be relying on that, and a £1,000 a year is a bit optimistic, more like £500 if it ever happens.

albyota

Conger, There is no mention in your original post as to whether the salesman had included upgrading radiators to suit the lower temperature water i.e. 45 - 50 degrees.

[Deleted User]

conger wrote: »

Thanks for all the comments. I have read the energy saving report which is interesting but does not cover all my concerns. I am still worried about the the potential of increased costs during low temperatures such as the period we have just had.
I am also concerned about he noise and potential complaints from the neighbours.
I currently just run my system for short periods in the morning and evening, I am out quite a lot so I dont need the house to be warmed to high temperature. I am happy to just boost temperatures when really cold.

The salesman seemed to have answers to all the questions. He said that a lot of the problems with installations have been because they were undersized. He also said that the noise would be similar to that of a large fridge. If I went for this system it would use all my savings. I dont want to be saddled with a system that is not right.
An engineer is due round on Thursday so I am also going to a couple of quotes for a gas system from local companies.
I am not totally comfortable with the sales pitch and am struggling to find out much about the company who are selling and installing them.

Conger

ASHP works fine at low temps even in our house that originally had an EPC of 'G' but ASHP can be noisy when working hard in the thick of winter as the fans are running fast so can be an issue for neighbors. Are you on mains gas?

conger

jeepjunkie wrote: »

ASHP works fine at low temps even in our house that originally had an EPC of 'G' but ASHP can be noisy when working hard in the thick of winter as the fans are running fast so can be an issue for neighbors. Are you on mains gas?

yes I am on mains gas. Currently have a 20 year ol floor standing boiler with old radiators and a failed duistribution pump.
The quote I had was to replace whatever was needed and fit 8 KW ASHP and whatever is needed radiator and plumbing wise. I wouldn't rate my insulation as good. Quote was for £5.5K

lovesgshp

conger wrote: »

yes I am on mains gas. Currently have a 20 year ol floor standing boiler with old radiators and a failed duistribution pump.
The quote I had was to replace whatever was needed and fit 8 KW ASHP and whatever is needed radiator and plumbing wise. I wouldn't rate my insulation as good. Quote was for £5.5K

Suggest you stay on mains gas!!!

albyota

Geotherm beat me to it, What make / model heat pump was quoted......? And what other works are included..... Full Radiator upgrade?
I would be a bit suspicious.......at that price, go for the gas boiler.

conger

albyota wrote: »

Geotherm beat me to it, What make / model heat pump was quoted......? And what other works are included..... Full Radiator upgrade?
I would be a bit suspicious.......at that price, go for the gas boiler.

The units are either Panasonic or Daikin. apparently they are buying the units in bulk direct from the manufacturer avoiding costs of an agent. The more I think about this the more I am unsure about it. A search for the company revealed that the company has been running for less than a year, company website is very shallow. The installation also comes with a 10 year guarentee, aparently.

albyota

Conger, walk away, no heat pump that I know of, (and I have info on 50 manufacturers) none have more than five year warranty! Panasonic and Daikin are close to the best out there, unless the company is MCS / REAL registered, you would not have a leg to stand on if anything went wrong.

lovesgshp

Maximum guarantee on a heat pump is normally about 5 years, as Albyota says. Stay well clear.