Using air conditioners as air source heat pumps

ASavvyBuyer

ed110220 said:

.... Air to air is much simpler, cheaper and probably quicker responding. Is it less efficient?

Yes, they can warm up a room very quickly, but we find it better to do a more gradual warm up, as they are more efficient working that way. And yes, from the data I have researched, they do have higher SCOP figures than air2water units. The advantage with air2water units is that they can be used for underfloor heating, which can run at a lot lower temperature than traditional radiators to provide the same heating.

cymruchris

Coastalwatch said:

Hi MD don't know if the link below might help. They cover Surrey and their prices appear fairly competitive too.

https://www.cooleasy.co.uk/professional-installations

We used cooleasy to fit an air con with heat pump to a small conservatory. They don't directly employ their own engineers - but the one that was given the job of quoting and installing was very professional and did a great job. With recent temperatures of 2-3 degrees - it was still pumping out a decent amount of hot air. They do become less efficient as the temperature drops further so it'll be interesting to see how it does if we get any long periods of negative Celsius temperatures.

Martyn1981

Coastalwatch said:

Hi MD don't know if the link below might help. They cover Surrey and their prices appear fairly competitive too.

https://www.cooleasy.co.uk/professional-installations

It would be rude of me not to mention that Cooleasy are supplying me with a portable heat pump unit, and when I told the boss that it's a Xmas present for my local animal rescue, they gave me a discount allowing me to go with a bigger/better unit.

mickyduck55

PS: If you are over 60 and you get the same company to supply & install the VAT rate is 5% instead of 20%.

Thanks I will qualify ...

Cardew

ed110220 said:

Apart from not being able to heat hot water, and a traditional preference for water/radiator heating systems in this country, what is the advantage of an air to water heat pump? The disadvantages are obvious - more work, cost and disruption installing/changing larger radiators, slower heating up. Air to air is much simpler, cheaper and probably quicker responding. Is it less efficient?

The biggest problem in retro-fitting an Air to Air heat pump is distributing heat to all rooms in a property.

In the USA they typically have the warm, or cool, air ducted to every room in the property with vents to control the air flow; so outlets in every bathroom, bedroom, toilet etc.

To achieve heat distribution without ducting will take several fan units in the property. One in each bedroom, bathroom, toilet, kitchen as well as living rooms.

Exiled_Tyke

Sadly I didn't get anywhere with Cooleasy. They were very pleasant and helpful but the installer they put me on to was another that wouldn't contemplate anything less than covering the whole house for mega thousands. (air2air by the way)

mickyduck55

Cardew said:

ed110220 said:

Apart from not being able to heat hot water, and a traditional preference for water/radiator heating systems in this country, what is the advantage of an air to water heat pump? The disadvantages are obvious - more work, cost and disruption installing/changing larger radiators, slower heating up. Air to air is much simpler, cheaper and probably quicker responding. Is it less efficient?

The biggest problem in retro-fitting an Air to Air heat pump is distributing heat to all rooms in a property.

In the USA they typically have the warm, or cool, air ducted to every room in the property with vents to control the air flow; so outlets in every bathroom, bedroom, toilet etc.

To achieve heat distribution without ducting will take several fan units in the property. One in each bedroom, bathroom, toilet, kitchen as well as living rooms.

I only want heat / cooling in my living room and 1 bedroom.  Typically we have no heat in our bedroom ever so that unit will be aircon in hotter months when my solar is pouring electricity into the grid.  Living room would probably be used for both heating and cooling depending on outside conditions.

Coastalwatch

Cardew said:

The biggest problem in retro-fitting an Air to Air heat pump is distributing heat to all rooms in a property.

In the USA they typically have the warm, or cool, air ducted to every room in the property with vents to control the air flow; so outlets in every bathroom, bedroom, toilet etc.

To achieve heat distribution without ducting will take several fan units in the property. One in each bedroom, bathroom, toilet, kitchen as well as living rooms.

Since having our two units fitted a couple of years ago the above hasn't been our experience at. One 2kW unit in the lounge keeps this room toastie with the excess drifting noticeably into the hall, thankfully at a reduced temperature(wouldn't wish to waste any). The unit in the lobby keeps it and bathroom opposite toastie while also supplying sufficient warmth to keep two bedrooms at a comfortable sleeping temperature.

Just our experience and of course not every property layout will lend itself so amiably as ours.

I should also add that from our experience noise of either internal or external units is barely audible at a couple of metres distance. Decibel levels for each are stated in the Tech specs.

mnbvcxz

This may be a pipe deam but if you have trouble finding an air to air installer you might look around at local business's. My local butcher, fishmonger and pub all have air conditioning boxes on the outside of the back, so there has clearly been a commercial industry for decades. They often have a label saying who installs/maintains them. Or if you patronise the business they may be happy to tell you. So you could try giving them a call, they may say no to a domestic installation but if you know what you want they might be more efficient and experienced that a newer green business... Hopefully if they catch on in ten years it will become a much cheaper standard option that every plumber offers.

I do worry that the italian electriq ones flogged online cheaply allot say in the small print "background heating only". Not to mention in the sort of single glazed draughty rural property that would want an efficient electric only heat source will the efficiently gentle heat output of a heat pump minus the heat sucked up by the solid walls, draughts and single glazed windows leave enough to heat the room? Maybe, people do seem pleased with theirs on these forums, though does anyone really know their cop for certain? Ten years ago you could buy one in B&Q but then they faded away again. So I am still watching from the fence hoping other people work it out... Best of luck

Exiled_Tyke

mnbvcxz said:

This may be a pipe deam but if you have trouble finding an air to air installer you might look around at local business's. My local butcher, fishmonger and pub all have air conditioning boxes on the outside of the back, so there has clearly been a commercial industry for decades. They often have a label saying who installs/maintains them. Or if you patronise the business they may be happy to tell you. So you could try giving them a call, they may say no to a domestic installation but if you know what you want they might be more efficient and experienced that a newer green business... Hopefully if they catch on in ten years it will become a much cheaper standard option that every plumber offers.

This does seem very sensible.  One of my local shops had an ASHP installed (because the fridges were making the shop itself too hot). So I asked them about the installer. They were happy to give me details and were confident that I would get the same service from them - and as you say if it's a matter of saying 'I want this unit, there' it should be straightforward enough for  a local installer to take a job such as this on.    I never followed this through, for various reasons not worth repeating here. But it's definitely worth a try I'd say. Good advice mnbvcx!