ASHP for a Two bedroom Maisonette

Essex_Jim

We are in the process of buying a two bed maisonette. It is arrange with a ground floor entry with living accommodation on the first and second floor. There is a seperate flat on the ground floor.

The Flat is a late 60's build with what we suspect is the orginal warm air heating system.

The Flat is on the end of one of four groups (blocks) that form a square with a communal area in the middle. 

We would like to consider ASHP to replace the warm air heating.  There is a convenient location near a 'stand alone' wall to locate the ASHP which is within the communal area.

For sure we would need permission of the management company.

Does anyone have experience of an ASHP in a Flat or maisonette? Is there likely to be issues with the ASHP is in the communal area?

Reed_Richards

I cannot comment on your main question but you might want to read these threads, initially on connecting an air-to-air heat pump to old ducts:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6274415/central-aircon-with-old-ducting/p1
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6269423/7-8k-for-aircon-system/p1

Cardew

Essex_Jim said:

For sure we would need permission of the management company.

Does anyone have experience of an ASHP in a Flat or maisonette? Is there likely to be issues with the ASHP is in the communal area?

Depending on the configuration of the complex, windows opening onto the comumunal area etc, noise might be a problem. Even a low 'hum' will cause some people to object.

Essex_Jim

Reed_Richards said:

I cannot comment on your main question but you might want to read these threads, initially on connecting an air-to-air heat pump to old ducts:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6274415/central-aircon-with-old-ducting/p1
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6269423/7-8k-for-aircon-system/p1

Thanks for the links.

We want to move away from an air type system as some family members have asthma issues.

If we can't do ASHP likely to be a gas system 

Essex_Jim

Cardew said:

Essex_Jim said:

For sure we would need permission of the management company.

Does anyone have experience of an ASHP in a Flat or maisonette? Is there likely to be issues with the ASHP is in the communal area?

Depending on the configuration of the complex, windows opening onto the comumunal area etc, noise might be a problem. Even a low 'hum' will cause some people to object.

Yes, I suspect this is the biggest issue along with the ASHP being in the communal area. The latter we can get round by 'caging' the ASHP I suspect.

We can speak to the owners of the ground floor to see their views. Even if they were happy, could future owners object?

Cardew

Essex_Jim said:

Cardew said:

Essex_Jim said:

For sure we would need permission of the management company.

Does anyone have experience of an ASHP in a Flat or maisonette? Is there likely to be issues with the ASHP is in the communal area?

Yes, I suspect this is the biggest issue along with the ASHP being in the communal area. The latter we can get round by 'caging' the ASHP I suspect.

Depending on the configuration of the complex, windows opening onto the comumunal area etc, noise might be a problem. Even a low 'hum' will cause some people to object.

We can speak to the owners of the ground floor to see their views. Even if they were happy, could future owners object?

You would neeed a change(in writing) in the lease or freehold conditions and what incentive would there be for anyone to to agree? Also as a 1960's build would the maisonette meet the standards for the RHI subsidy??

Installation of new gas boilers is not banned until 2030, and there is conjecture that the date will slip. IMO the Government will be forced to make heat pumps cheaper by way of subsidy..

shinytop

Cardew said:

Essex_Jim said:

Cardew said:

Essex_Jim said:

For sure we would need permission of the management company.

Does anyone have experience of an ASHP in a Flat or maisonette? Is there likely to be issues with the ASHP is in the communal area?

Yes, I suspect this is the biggest issue along with the ASHP being in the communal area. The latter we can get round by 'caging' the ASHP I suspect.

Depending on the configuration of the complex, windows opening onto the comumunal area etc, noise might be a problem. Even a low 'hum' will cause some people to object.

We can speak to the owners of the ground floor to see their views. Even if they were happy, could future owners object?

You would neeed a change(in writing) in the lease or freehold conditions and what incentive would there be for anyone to to agree? Also as a 1960's build would the maisonette meet the standards for the RHI subsidy??

Installation of new gas boilers is not banned until 2030, and there is conjecture that the date will slip. IMO the Government will be forced to make heat pumps cheaper by way of subsidy..

I don't think there will be a problem with RHI (apart from it stopping in March 2022).  As far as the property is concerned, it only needs recommendations from the EPC to be followed and these will be appropriate to the building type.  

Reed_Richards

Cardew said:

Installation of new gas boilers is not banned until 2030, and there is conjecture that the date will slip. IMO the Government will be forced to make heat pumps cheaper by way of subsidy..

The RHI represents a hefty subsidy already but as it is paid once a quarter over 7 years you still have to face a hefty up-front cost to install an ASHP.  With a modern heat pump you might achieve a SCoP of 3 and contract renewal electricity prices at the moment are upwards of 18p per kWh so your heat would cost you upwards of 6p per kWh.  I've lost track of current gas prices, upwards of 4p per kWh?  So running cost with gas will be significantly less than with an ASHP.  

Essex_Jim

Great relies. Thank you all!

Reference the RHI, is there a way to get a clear yes or no if you will qualify for RHI? 

The property is rated an E at present. There are four recommendations on the EPC. Two we can have little influence over in cavity wall and (Flat) roof insulation as this would be down to the management company even if we were to fund it. I guess we could pull down the ceilings and put in Celotex / Kingspan! A third would be addresses as part of the installation. Last one it light bulbs.

Assuming a Mitsubishi 6kW Ecodan pre plumbed system, UFH on first floor (Three rooms) and radiators in two bedrooms and bathroom on second floor, I was budgeting on £12K. Gas boiler with the same system I am guessing around £5K? Would need an flue to be fitted.

As an aside. Shocked by electricity costs! We are just coming to the end of a one year deal with Pure Planet at 14.615p  per KWh. Checking 18p sounds like a dirt cheap price now 

shinytop

@Essex_Jim, you could try ofgem

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-and-social-schemes/domestic-renewable-heat-incentive-domestic-rhi/contacts-guidance-and-resources/who-contact

I had some detailed questions about RHI and they were very helpful once I found the right person.  

Yes, I think I did well fixing at 16.5p last month.