1930's Terraced House Type of Heating System to Install

bloke91

Hi

I am thinking of renovating a 1930's ish four bedroom terrace property as a potential investment opportunity.  It has some gas fires but no central heating or boiler.  

It has no central heating and I am considering what heating system to install.  

• Gas heating system and boiler - Received a quote of about 5k to install pipework, 9 radiators and a gas boiler etc.
• Heat pump system - From what I read a heat pump system would cost anywhere from 10k to 15K.

Pro's for fitting heat pump system:

1. Future proofed.
2. Fit it now whilst house is clean canvas and pipe work can be fitted before re-plastering etc.
3. Sustainability\Green aspect.
4. If don't don't do it now and fit gas heating system instead, likely end up doing it anyway in 10 - 15 year's time when Gas boiler needs to be replaced.
5. Conscious of the announcement that new builds won't be fitted with Gas central heating and there will be a ban on sale of gas heated boilers in the future. i.e Writting is on the wall for gas, so if don't fit heat pump system could be putting off the inevitable?

Counter arguments for fitting a heat pump system and going with gas instead:

1. Would a terraced house meet the energy efficiency standards required for a heat pump system.  
2. The significant cost increase with installing a heat pump system vs gas central heating system.  i.e I had originally only budgeted between 5 and 7k for a central heating system.
3. It's my understanding would not be able to apply for government grant to assist with installation cost due to the property not having any existing central heating system?
4. Would a heat pump system put off potential renter?
5. Are heat pump systems still too new, will it be reliable and provide the heat expected? i.e Has the technology matured?

Welcome any thoughts, feedback, suggestions or experience.

Thanks all in advance.

QrizB

Heat pumps work but are still more expensive to install and operate than gas (althoguh the operating cost is closer now that gas is so expensive).

Personally, I'd stick with gas but size the system for a lower-than-typical flow temperature so you're "heat pump ready" in 15-20 years when you need to replace the boiler.

You'll save a little bit of money on gas with a lower flow temperature too.

Gerry1

A heat pump would certainly deter many potential renters or buyers.  The running costs would be higher, especially for those who aren't at home all day.  You can set a gas boiler to switch on shortly before you arrive and it will go full blast to warm the place up in a short time; you can't do that with a heat pump, so you'd be wasting energy for most or all of the day just to make sure it was comfortable when you returned.

As QrizB says, oversize the radiators so that at a future date the boiler can be replaced with a heat pump without serious disruption.

FreeBear

A heat pump will trash your EPC score until such time as the government overhaul the EPC system. It would be worth your while insulating the walls now whilst the place is empty - That will boost the EPC and reduce the heating costs regardless of which system you go for. With a terrace, you only have two walls to deal with, so costs should be lower.

Reed_Richards

If you go for a low temperature gas boiler that operates at 50 C flow and 30 C return you will achieve the best efficiency you can from a gas boiler but have a system that is generally heat pump ready for the future.  You would need to install radiators with a suitably large surface area to match the low water temperatures.  And "full blast" will only be 50 C but with suitably sized radiators you can still warm up your house quickly enough.

Once installed the running costs will be quite similar to those of a heat pump at current prices for gas and electricity.  Either way you would need to ensure that your house is sufficiently well insulated that the radiators you need are not too gigantic.  It might be worth investing in getting a detailed calculation of required radiator sizes (as tends to be required when installing a heat pump).      

BUFF

FreeBear said:

A heat pump will trash your EPC score until such time as the government overhaul the EPC system. It would be worth your while insulating the walls now whilst the place is empty - That will boost the EPC and reduce the heating costs regardless of which system you go for. With a terrace, you only have two walls to deal with, so costs should be lower.

The govt is proposing that all rental properties will have to have an EPC of "C" or better from 2025 so I would certainly do any upgrades to meet that now whilst it is empty.

As of June this year under Part L any new boiler installations after that will have to be installed to run with flow temp of 55C or lower.
I would also say don't skimp on controls but get load/weather compensating - they will pay for themselves over the life of the boiler (admittedly the tenants will see the saving rather than you as the owner) & they add a few points to the ErP.

oap71

I'm wary of adding cavity insulation to a old terrace house, as it can damp. This due to the amount of rubble at the base of the wall essential making it a solid wall. And the filled cavity stopped the ventilation to disperse water vapour.

Mstty

If you are renovating an Air Source heat pump could work as long as you go for underfloor heating downstairs. Otherwise I wouldn't bother with retro fitting it with radiators downstairs I haven't seen many getting good bills that way.

Even with our ASHP we are a high B so yes they can degrade your EPC rating but it depends on a number of other factors as well. I believe this is being reviewed so that it's not all about energy cost but CO2 emissions but that has not happened yet.

Cheapest option is to install gas for the best EPC rating and future proofing with the advice given above.

Good luck with your renovation and investment👍