What central heating system to have?

tellyerworraldowivyer

Hi,
I am nearing the end of a property renovation.
When it is finished I will be moving into it so I want to ensure that I make the correct long term decision.
My property is in the Scottish Highlands and has wool insulation in the loft and walls.
Some properties that I have passed have Air Source Heat Pumps, others have oil and LPG.
There is a £9,000 grant available for ASHP, nothing is available for oil and LPG.
I have had a look online about ASHP's but no reviews seem to appear for the Highlands.
My concern is that the temperature can drop to around -10c in most winters, (it did in the last 3 out of 4)
And I like the hot water to be hot for washing etc...
A local installer has been to visit and quoted for a Vaillant Arotherm 7kw with Pump radiators.
Any forum members on here and live in the Highlands and have a heat pump?  What do you think?
I have some further information if needed.
Thanks

tellyerworraldowivyer

I have just had a look round this board and seen the renewable hub forum recommended, that also seems like a knowledgeable forum, I will also post my question there.

lohr500

I don't know what the cost of oil is vs the cost of electricity in the Highlands, but if it is a similar ratio to that in Yorkshire, I would personally be looking at installing an oil boiler. 

However, I would be insisting that any installed radiators were capable of providing sufficient heat when running at the lower temperatures required for an efficient heat pump installation. This would give an element of future proofing should you need to switch to a heat pump in the future and would allow you to ru the oil boiler with lower flow and return temperatures which helps to improve efficiency.

FreeBear

lohr500 said: However, I would be insisting that any installed radiators were capable of providing sufficient heat when running at the lower temperatures required for an efficient heat pump installation. This would give an element of future proofing should you need to switch to a heat pump in the future and would allow you to ru the oil boiler with lower flow and return temperatures which helps to improve efficiency.

In the middle of replumbing my heating system, and had a quick look at heat pumps. It is not as simple as just whacking in larger radiators to future proof yourself for the day when a heat pump is the only option. You also need bigger pipes - 28mm for the main feed/return although you can get away with 22mm if the run is short enough. Pipes to the radiators can be 15mm and as short as possible. Micro-bore pipes (8mm & 10mm) should be avoided..

Unfortunately, I only stumbled across this last night, just as I had finished putting in the last section of 22mm feed/return. Not able to fit radiators of a sufficient size for a heat pump (would need to almost double the size), primarily due to cost.