Upgrade heating gas not an option

Reed_Richards

It's guesswork to quote a cost of LPG heating without knowing the demands of the property.

See https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6259443/a-question-for-anyone-whos-been-following-economy-7-rates-for-more-than-a-few-years#latest for up to date Economy 7 pricing.

I looked into planning permission requirements for my ASHP and where I am in England you did not require any provided the heat pump was not too physically large.  Mine was not going to be above the size limit so I was in the clear.  An important factor is to find an installer who you trust; installers of ASHPs are much thinner on the ground than those for gas or oil central heating.  My installer had to notify my electricity supplier because of the increased power demand and certify the hot water cylinder to comply with building regulations but they took care of all that.   

shinytop

ASHPs are permitted development provided they meet the following criteria:

https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200130/common_projects/27/heat_pumps/2

This means you don't need planning permission.  lf you ive in a Conservation Area, additional restrictions can be imposed that may affect ASHPs.  You'd need to check with your local planning department. If you're a listed building that's a whole new ball game.   

If PD applies and you comply with the rules, there is nothing your neighbours can do.  This is England, I don't know if Scotland is different.

shinytop

matelodave said:

danrv said:

macman said:

In terms of capital cost, NSH's and an immersion heater will surely be the cheapest option.

Much cheaper. There’s no gas for my property so will be fitting modern NSH’s downstairs and convectors for bedrooms.
I already have an immersion heater.

Also ASHP operating noise needs to be considered. Ok if
positioned away from neighbours and sleeping areas.

Have you actually heard an air source heat pump running, they aren't as noisy as some people have been led to believe

Yes it's got fans, mine has two big ones and the air blowing through it does make a noise, but TBH I can only reallyy hear it it when I'm stood fairly close to the unit.. I can only hear the compressor if I put my ear onto the casing whereas the 2 year oild oil boiler roaring away from the house on the opposite side of the road can be heard some 50 yards away. even when I stand next to my ASHP.

I probably wouldn't actually want mine near a bedroom window but ours is next to the dining room window and there's more a sense of it running rather than any actual noise although I guess it would be more apparent outside a bedroom at 2am (especially where I live out in the country where it's deathly queit, apart from the owls)

Whats the opinion of other heatpump owners?

Ditto above, even down to the noisy oil boiler opposite.  You can just hear the ASHP if you listen out for it but otherwise if fades into the background.  Unless your neighbour is very close (and for permitted development your ASHP needs to be at least 1 metre from the boundary) it shouldn't bother them.

Reed_Richards

As I see it, excepting listed buildings and conservation areas the key requirements are:

• The volume of the air source heat pump’s outdoor compressor unit (including housing) must not exceed 0.6 cubic metres
• All parts of the air source heat pump must be at least one metre from the property boundary
• Used solely for heating purposes

The compliance with MCS standards is a requirement to get the RHI payments so you are going to want to do that anyway.  I don't know if circulating cooled water round your radiators or under the floor would be an effective means of air conditioning in summer but you're not allowed to find out. 

Gerry1

macman said:

But £3.50 per day for heating during the coldest months would be absolutely normal...
Yes, using convectors on single rate would be hideously expensive. But on E7 it's about a quarter of the single rate charge.

That seems extraordinarily optimistic for a genuine seven hour E7 tariff.  Which one is it?

matelodave

Hi macman, where do you live to get E7 leccy for 25% less than a single rate.

Assuming an average single rate is somewhere between 14-20p you are suggesting that E7 off-peak leccy is only around 3.5-5p/kwh. If thats the case I'd jump at the chance.

cooners

Thanks for that. 
The only worry I have is given the layout of the house the only obvious place to put it would likely be right on the boundary as the other side has too much stuff in the way and it's not a big house, would you be able to get planning permission for that?
I sat next to the air con pumps at work (four of them) and they barely made a sound tbh so if the domestic versions are the same I personally wouldn't have a problem.

danrv

matelodave said:

danrv said:

macman said:

In terms of capital cost, NSH's and an immersion heater will surely be the cheapest option.

Much cheaper. There’s no gas for my property so will be fitting modern NSH’s downstairs and convectors for bedrooms.
I already have an immersion heater.

Also ASHP operating noise needs to be considered. Ok if
positioned away from neighbours and sleeping areas.

Have you actually heard an air source heat pump running, they aren't as noisy as some people have been led to believe

I’ve heard a Mitsubishi one up close. Yes, quite quiet.
Just opposite me, one of the council bungalows has just had an ASHP replaced. Next door said they could hear the old one and hoped this one would be quieter.
They are linked though so quite close proximity I would have thought.

rp1974

You might not even need planning permission though,do checkout the link posted by shinytop here:https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200130/common_projects/27/heat_pumps/2,for further information.

There not that loud as you say,more noticeable say in the early hours in a house next door type situation than they are during the general daytime (presuming) hubbub though.
Many can automatically reduce the noise output during certain time periods if so desired.

Have you spoken to the neighbour concerned,regarding their views on this,by any chance?.

coffeehound

I suppose the worst case would be when used for cooling on hot summer nights while neighbours have windows open?