How much gets replaced / how disruptive is it when fitting a heat pump?

AyJaydee

Hello.  We have a gas boiler that we expect has a good number of years useful life left in it, so are not looking to replace in the short term.
I have heard that the radiators will almost certainly have to be replaced, but what about the pipes to the rads?
Our rads are fed by microbore pipes and last year the property had a complete makeover, including new carpets and redecorated throughout. We really couldn't cope with having all the work undone by replacing the pipes which run in the walls and under the floors.

born_again

There are a lot of U-Tube videos on people having installs. 

matelodave

There is no one size fits all and it depends on the requirements of you house and what may or may not be reusable. Have a shufti at this - https://youtu.be/QFbx7qhqOqc

In some cases it may be possible to use microbore but generally to get the best and most efficient heatpump system you need to be able to run it at low temperatures which tends towards larger radiators and possibly larger pipework but it has to be determined at the design stage.

IMO as a longstanding heatpump user (nearly 15 years) I'd  advise that you hang onto your gas boiler for as long as possible and only replace it when it actually gets to the end of it natural life (but start saving now for something to replace it when it eventually dies)

JoshinLeeds

I have had 6 radiators replaced and 2 new radiators added. No pipes have been replaced as mine are 15mm. It should have taken 5 days but still one more day to go as one contractor quit.

Reed_Richards

Heat pump systems use higher flow rates for the water circulating through the radiators.  These higher flow rates are harder to achieve with microbore pipes; it's a pity your makeover did not include replacing those.

Olinda99

it will be disruptive and dusty - three or four workmen in your house for five days drilling banging soldering lots of pipes and tools everywhere

Beeblebr0x

Would solar panels plus battery storage make more sense if a person decided to buy an electric boiler?

Reed_Richards

Beeblebr0x said:

Would solar panels plus battery storage make more sense if a person decided to buy an electric boiler?

No!  You simply don't get enough solar power in winter to make a significant dent in the cost of heating by electricity; the lack of solar in winter is why winter is cold!  And an electric boiler would cost at least three times as much to run as a heat pump.

CuparLad

Beeblebr0x said:

Would solar panels plus battery storage make more sense if a person decided to buy an electric boiler?

My elderly parents have a 12KWh electric boiler in their modern (2001) bungalow. When they had a four rate electricity tarrif, it wasn't too bad, but that was pulled by (then) PowerGen years ago, so they have to run it on standard rate electricity. It costs them £250/month and the house is always cold because they can't afford to keep it running. DON'T buy an electric boiler unless you've won the lottery.

Exiled_Tyke

Olinda99 said:

it will be disruptive and dusty - three or four workmen in your house for five days drilling banging soldering lots of pipes and tools everywhere

May be different experiences for different people?  We worked at home while ours was installed and it wasn't too disruptive or dusty.  That said it's pretty clear the op will need all the pipework replacing so that will be a big job. 

QrizB

CuparLad said:

Beeblebr0x said:

Would solar panels plus battery storage make more sense if a person decided to buy an electric boiler?

My elderly parents have a 12KWh electric boiler in their modern (2001) bungalow. When they had a four rate electricity tarrif, it wasn't too bad, but that was pulled by (then) PowerGen years ago, so they have to run it on standard rate electricity. It costs them £250/month and the house is always cold because they can't afford to keep it running. DON'T buy an electric boiler unless you've won the lottery.

@CuparLad have your parents considered Cosy Octopus? It might cut their bills a bit?

https://octopus.energy/smart/cosy-octopus/

But even with a tariff like this, an electric boiler is going to be more expensive than a heat pump.