Heat Pumps and "Microbore" pipes

Keiron42

Thanks to everyone who has responded.  Lots to think about and work out but at least I have ideas to research.

The biggest concern, for me, is the 10mm pipes and the damage that would have to be done to my home in order to replace them with larger diameter pipes.  Whilst much is accessible through the underfloor there is a lot of it that lies under fitted wooden and tile floor with no access panels to the underfloor, avoiding ripping them up is a must.

Legionella control is only because of having lodgers so we are subject to various "landlord" and "HASAWA" regulations.  As our HW Tank normally sits at 50ºC plus for several hours (especially overnight) I'm confident that there is very very very low risk.

As I said I am also interested in hearing about other alternative heating systems that might replace my existing (A+ condensing) 8 year old boiler with its brand new bunded storage tank eventually

BellaBlondykeTheThird

Keiron42 said:

Thanks to everyone who has responded.  Lots to think about and work out but at least I have ideas to research.

The biggest concern, for me, is the 10mm pipes and the damage that would have to be done to my home in order to replace them with larger diameter pipes.  Whilst much is accessible through the underfloor there is a lot of it that lies under fitted wooden and tile floor with no access panels to the underfloor, avoiding ripping them up is a must.

Legionella control is only because of having lodgers so we are subject to various "landlord" and "HASAWA" regulations.  As our HW Tank normally sits at 50ºC plus for several hours (especially overnight) I'm confident that there is very very very low risk.

As I said I am also interested in hearing about other alternative heating systems that might replace my existing (A+ condensing) 8 year old boiler with its brand new bunded storage tank eventually

Have you considered multi split air to air heat pump systems. 

You would still need to heat water via oil or just immersion but that would mean no upgrade to microbore and you could do away with radiators altogethet.

Keiron42

BellaBlondykeTheThird said:

Have you considered multi split air to air heat pump systems. 

You would still need to heat water via oil or just immersion but that would mean no upgrade to microbore and you could do away with radiators altogethet.

I have to admit I haven't considered that at all but the instant question that springs to mind is "how do you install the air system?"  If that involves cutting holes in walls or floors and running ducting everywhere then it is a non starter.

And what exactly is a "multi split" system?

BellaBlondykeTheThird

Keiron42 said:

BellaBlondykeTheThird said:

Have you considered multi split air to air heat pump systems. 

You would still need to heat water via oil or just immersion but that would mean no upgrade to microbore and you could do away with radiators altogethet.

I have to admit I haven't considered that at all but the instant question that springs to mind is "how do you install the air system?"  If that involves cutting holes in walls or floors and running ducting everywhere then it is a non starter.

And what exactly is a "multi split" system?

I had to laugh a little as any change to heating will involve some holes in walls.

Yes ducting outside to an external fan unit and internal wall mounted units.

A multi split is one outside unit and up to 5 internal heaters/coolers the outside unit being the heat pump that has the benefit of heating and cooling with the efficiencies you get from heat pump technology. Pipes from the system then wall hung units requiring power.

Keiron42

BellaBlondykeTheThird said:

I had to laugh a little as any change to heating will involve some holes in walls.

Yes ducting outside to an external fan unit and internal wall mounted units.

A multi split is one outside unit and up to 5 internal heaters/coolers the outside unit being the heat pump that has the benefit of heating and cooling with the efficiencies you get from heat pump technology. Pipes from the system then wall hung units requiring power.

Sounds interesting but that's not going to work in my house as I have more than 5 rooms so would need significantly more wall units.

System sounds like many of the air con systems I've seen and experienced around the world and to be honest I would not give them house space, ugly and noisy has been my overwhelming experience.  Sure it might work for some people but don't think it is suitable for my needs, sorry.