All electric flat

srkain

Hi all,

I've bought an all-electric flat in December/19 and I am looking at what are my options to make it more efficient.
The flat seems to be very efficient in keeping the heat in. It is a ground flat with neighbours on top and on the sides. Last winter, even with heating totally off the internal temperature never dropped to less than 16C.

The flat is currently supplied by EDF and has three old-style analogue devices. One for day rate, another for off-peak and the third one looks like a clock (I assume to allow energy to flow to the off-peak meter). The off-peak one is powering the immersion heater and the electric underfloor heating (which I do not use as it is super expensive to run).

I've tried to move tariffs with EDF but only the day rate meter changed to 12.69p per kWh. The off-peak one is still on a deemed tariff at 13.55p per kWh as they say they cannot offer a better rate for this type of meter.
Tried to ask them to change meters, but are forcing the smart meters. Accepted and they tell they don't have availability in my region and put my name on a waiting list.
Should I try to move providers to get new meters?

Also, I was looking at improving more efficient options for electric heating and stumbled across air-to-air heat pumps. Although being on the ground floor and being on the ideal situation to put them, the neighbours are not keen on the outside unit and are afraid of the noise.
So I am wondering if a portable aircon with heating function would be more efficient than using convector panels:
https://www.appliancesdirect.co.uk/p/p18hp/electriq-p18hp
I know that they are less efficient than split units, but since unable to permanently installing the air-con, maybe this would be the better option even if I achieve only a COP of 2?

I've also looked at storage heaters, but they are very expensive and the night-rates seems to be on a rise. 

Please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks.

tacpot12

Some COPs quotes in brochures are 'optimistic'. You need to do some more research to see if the COPs quoted are actually achieved by real customers. 

Generally I would not advocate installing any sort of temporary system for a permanent heating need. You are lucky that the flat is well insulated and benefiting from the warming effects of the flats either side.  

I'm inclined to think that an split AC unit or ASHP is the best option for you. Your neighbours are right to be concerned about the noise, they outdoor units can be noisy, but  modern units are quieter and there are things that can be done to hide the outdoor unit and to reduce the noise. If you find an experienced installer, they will be able to discuss what can be done to ensure that neighbours don't even know you have a heat pump. It would be worth visiting an existing customer that has a unit you are considering buying to judge the noise of the outdoor unit for yourself. 

My daughter lives in a Nordic country where split AC units have been used for many years for heating residential properties. The unit she has is both efficient and quiet.

You might consider replacing your immersion heater with instantaneous water heaters when the cylinder needs replacing.  Instantaneous water heaters work like an electric shower to heat the water for hot taps only when you need it. You are not storing any water in a large tank, so don't need to worry about how well the tank is insulated. Although some units do have a small water store to improve the speed at which they can provide hot water when the tap is first opened. The alternative to  instantaneous water heaters and immersion heaters would be a full ASHP, but without the ability to use wet/hydraulic underfloor heating, a full ASHP system not going to offer much benefit over an immersion heater (and many have immersion heaters as a backup). You can get better insulated hot water cylinders - look for cylinders that meet Part L1a of the building regs. (These are better insulated than cylinders that only meet Part L1b).

Being able to switch tariff is always going to help, so keep up the hunt for a supplier you can move to. 

macman

The system you have was almost certainly designed to run with NSH's and an immersion heater. So, to state the obvious, you either need to change the heating, or change the metering away from E7/E10. 
What is your issue with smart meters?

ASavvyBuyer

When we first considered getting an ASHP we heard stories about them being too noisy.

However, after some research we had a Toshiba ASHP installed, which is very quiet unless we put it on boost.

When we first got it there were times I had to go close up to the outside unit to see if it was actually running because it was so quiet.

The average COP throughout the year is between 3 & 5 depending on the outside temperature.

It has reduced our gas bill by over a third.

When we have a heatwave, like now, it is also great for keeping the house cool.

srkain

Thanks for all replies.
I totally agree an ASHP would be the ideal choice for me. Although the property is a share of freehold, I need approval from all neighbors to install it, which might be tricky to get as people are not used to ASHP and might not care about the potential savings.
I'll try again to identify their concerns and see if I can persuade them.

I am indeed lucky with the insulation here and should not be too bad to heat using electric radiators on the most chilly days, but I would definitely keep the flat more cozy if I had the ASHP installed.

But if I am unsuccessful, I was thinking about the portable air conditioner being a solution to dehumidify the place during winter and also make heating more efficient, even considering I obviously will not achieve a COP of 3 to 5.

I'll keep in mind to change to a single tariff and move to instantaneous water heaters. Are the heat losses on water tanks too high to dismiss the gains of using E7 to heat the water?

I don't have an issue with smart meters, but EDF is taking too long to install it around here. But I know they must have a backlog because of covid.

Does anyone know if other providers have quicker installation for smart meters?

Thanks.