Storage/panel heaters but why aren't people installing heat pump Aircon units?

Mstty

These have got to be the cheapest way to heat, cool and dehumidify a room. The ratio of input to output for cooling and heating for electric only properties and flats must be the way forward?

https://www.appliancesdirect.co.uk/p/iqool-smart12hp/electriq-iqoolsmart12hp-air-conditioner?

As an aside this is what we are going to fit in our converted garage gym for cooling in the summer and heating in the winter.

mmmmikey

I agree 100%. It does seem strange that they're not as popular as you might expect - possibly due to awareness of their availability or maybe installation costs? Or maybe they have a bad reputation as a result of ancient similar units in motel rooms? Not really sure. On a more positive note, I am starting to see more of the split unit ASHPs dotted about in the village where I live.

wittynamegoeshere

Hmmm.  I see the attraction but I'm not sure what that "all in one" approach achieves.  You have to put two huge holes through the wall for the two air vents instead of smaller holes for pipes.  Also the compressor is the noisy part and that's why it's normally located in the outdoor unit, out of earshot.

If this is as noisy as a portable air con unit then it will be pretty unbearable for any length of time.  Perhaps a home gym might be OK, but not a living room.

I'm about to start looking at heat pump options for a self-contained annexe but will be looking at multi-split units.  A bit more cost, it needs a concrete base outside but probably a much better thing to live with.

Also definitely check parts availability.  I'm thinking of (against my will) paying more for a big brand such as Daikin or Toshiba to avoid having to landfill and start from scratch if some minor component gives up.

biscan25

For heating, gas at 90% efficiency still beats electric heat pumps at 250%
0.75kW input gives you 2.35kW
At 34p per unit, this is 26p per hour

Using a combi boiler:
2.6kW (say 90% eff) gives you 2.35kW
At 10p per unit, this is also 26p per hour

Plus your capital costs = not worth it for retrofit. Probably worth it for a new annex though.

EssexHebridean

Storage heaters are often used in flats, and I suspect a lot of freeholders will be reluctant to have people drilling through the walls to install the vents. I’m pretty certain ours would laugh in our faces and tell us to go away if we suggested it! 

Mstty

wittynamegoeshere said:

Hmmm.  I see the attraction but I'm not sure what that "all in one" approach achieves.  You have to put two huge holes through the wall for the two air vents instead of smaller holes for pipes.  Also the compressor is the noisy part and that's why it's normally located in the outdoor unit, out of earshot.

If this is as noisy as a portable air con unit then it will be pretty unbearable for any length of time.  Perhaps a home gym might be OK, but not a living room.

I'm about to start looking at heat pump options for a self-contained annexe but will be looking at multi-split units.  A bit more cost, it needs a concrete base outside but probably a much better thing to live with.

Also definitely check parts availability.  I'm thinking of (against my will) paying more for a big brand such as Daikin or Toshiba to avoid having to landfill and start from scratch if some minor component gives up.

Completely agree about the multi spit system if I could run the pipes form the garage to the very hot kitchen diner I would.

(good point about noise hadn't really even thought about that) I will check the specs. If this wasn't the gym we would be going named brand as well.

shinytop

Mstty said:

These have got to be the cheapest way to heat, cool and dehumidify a room. The ratio of input to output for cooling and heating for electric only properties and flats must be the way forward?

https://www.appliancesdirect.co.uk/p/iqool-smart12hp/electriq-iqoolsmart12hp-air-conditioner?

As an aside this is what we are going to fit in our converted garage gym for cooling in the summer and heating in the winter.

https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/heat-pumps/planning-permission-air-source-heat-pump

You need planning permission if you have more than one outside unit or use it for cooling.  Or not, if you're feeling lucky ...

That might put some people off. 

Mstty

EssexHebridean said:

Storage heaters are often used in flats, and I suspect a lot of freeholders will be reluctant to have people drilling through the walls to install the vents. I’m pretty certain ours would laugh in our faces and tell us to go away if we suggested it! 

Whereas we as landlords/ladies would pay for the installation if our tenants wanted to introduce this type of system or the multi split systems. As it would benefit them and us in the long run. (As long as the idiots running EPC check know what a heat pump is and its efficiency)

ariarnia

Mstty said:

These have got to be the cheapest way to heat, cool and dehumidify a room. The ratio of input to output for cooling and heating for electric only properties and flats must be the way forward?

https://www.appliancesdirect.co.uk/p/iqool-smart12hp/electriq-iqoolsmart12hp-air-conditioner?

As an aside this is what we are going to fit in our converted garage gym for cooling in the summer and heating in the winter.

i'd go with a combination of the responses youve already had. alot of electric only flats are rented (or leasehold) so the landlord will look at whats easy and cheap when it comes to replacements and will only be looking at replacement when whatever's there is at end of life (or from my experience really a bit past end of life) and maybe even things they know so they can maintain them themselves so adoption in that group will be slow as the units become cheaper and more well known. 

then owners will also be limited by the fact there fairly new technology so people wont know about them and would probably be talking to a plumber who might not mention them as an option. gas is still cheaper especially if your heating a hole house. 'air conditioning' is expensive (i know its not the same technology but thats the perception). 

i first heard about solar panels (as a credible domestic option rather than just a thing that existed) back in 2008 and there only really growing in popularity as a 'normal' option that doesn't devalue your house now. so in 10 years who knows  

chris_n

Mstty said:

EssexHebridean said:

Storage heaters are often used in flats, and I suspect a lot of freeholders will be reluctant to have people drilling through the walls to install the vents. I’m pretty certain ours would laugh in our faces and tell us to go away if we suggested it! 

Whereas we as landlords/ladies would pay for the installation if our tenants wanted to introduce this type of system or the multi split systems. As it would benefit them and us in the long run. (As long as the idiots running EPC check know what a heat pump is and its efficiency)

As far as EPC goes it is secondary electric heating as far as I know.

EssexHebridean

Having looked further at the information, the noise aspect would definitely put me off. Allowing that some folk complain that the Quantum heaters like we have one of are too noisy for living areas (ours is in the hallway but honestly, I don’t find that particularly noisy) I could see these being problematic for many. 

Mstty said:

EssexHebridean said:

Storage heaters are often used in flats, and I suspect a lot of freeholders will be reluctant to have people drilling through the walls to install the vents. I’m pretty certain ours would laugh in our faces and tell us to go away if we suggested it! 

Whereas we as landlords/ladies would pay for the installation if our tenants wanted to introduce this type of system or the multi split systems. As it would benefit them and us in the long run. (As long as the idiots running EPC check know what a heat pump is and its efficiency)

Yes, you’re not a local authority though are you - in our experience that cannot be combined with the phrase “responsible freeholder” 😞