What should I be looking for in HP installer?

MarzipanCrumble

I have an Ideal Mexico Gas Boiler installed 2006.  I live in 4 bed detached 1920s ish house built with caoldust cement (this dampens signals to mobiles thus SM2 does not communicate).

Cavity walls insulated, double glazing, loft hardboard and plank flooring, insulated, new roof.  Radiators and pipework pre 1987.  (Radiators are mostly double).

I would like to go with a HP.  How do I choose one?  I am with Octopus but feel Octopus goes with the low hanging fruit.  I looked on Which? Trusted Traders and nearest is Bristol (live Cardiff) and best rated is 180 miles in Birminham. 

I am old andfeel the cold - I love the idea that HP gives constant low heating.  Thermostat for Gas CH is set to 15 degrees (in hall) which if is on constantly is fine.  I am a low user.  I do not have solar panels.

So questions to ask - should I go with Octopus?  (Even if only for a survey? Cynical and exploitive on my part......maybe) 

stripling

I had my heat pump - Daikin Altherma 6kw - installed by Octopus and they did an excellent job. Really good workers, high standard of work, heat pump is fine.

I don't see why your home would be a difficult fitting.

I don't understand why the signal dampening effect of the walls affects a smart meter if it's installed externally but you know your house.  All that means is you would have to run a heat pump on a normal (as in not smart) tariff and plenty do that  - there's good fixed rate tariffs if you search. 

The alternative to 🐙 is Heat Geek or similar but they will charge for the heat loss assessment and you won't have the protection offered by 🐙 in terms of servicing (very good rate) and help line. Or, there's other energy companies including British Gas or Ovo offering heat pumps. 

Octopus won't give you the survey and you will have to pay a deposit but that's refundable if you change your mind right up to 24 hours before install. 

Whoever you go with I recommend learning as much as you can first so you can make informed decisions and stay in control. The 🐙 unofficial Facebook group is good as is the Daikin group or one of the Renewable heating forums. 

NedS

MarzipanCrumble said:

I have an Ideal Mexico Gas Boiler installed 2006.  I live in 4 bed detached 1920s ish house built with caoldust cement (this dampens signals to mobiles thus SM2 does not communicate).

This would be a potential concern for me. As the (fixed) price of electricity is 3-4 times that of gas, a heat pump installation will need to be 3-400% efficient for the running costs to break even. This is of course very achievable for a good installation, but if you end up with an installation which is not great, then running costs could be expensive.

I would much prefer to be able to take advantage of one of the heat pump smart tariffs which will significantly reduce running costs compared to gas.

I would definitely investigate further the installation of a Smart Meter, preferably before entering into a winter with a heat pump.

Reed_Richards

My heat pump was installed way before Octopus started installing them.  I saw three companies; two promised me big savings in running costs and one did not.  Since I had done the sums and realised that I wasn't going to save much over the cost of running the oil boiler that I had, then I went with the installer who was honest and I have never had cause to regret that decision.  Likewise, anyone who tells you that a heat pump will give you big savings over the cost of running your gas boiler isn't being accurate.

Olinda99

For me it is a no brainer - go with octopus

MarzipanCrumble

NedS said:

MarzipanCrumble said:

I have an Ideal Mexico Gas Boiler installed 2006.  I live in 4 bed detached 1920s ish house built with caoldust cement (this dampens signals to mobiles thus SM2 does not communicate).

.

I would definitely investigate further the installation of a Smart Meter, preferably before entering into a winter with a heat pump.

Ohh I have!  I have SM2 (octopus) which do not communicate.  O2 signal is almost non-existant where the SM2 meters are.  I sooooooooooo wish I had communicating SM2s.  Not for want of trying by both myself and Octopus.  

Has anybody had their meters relocated?  Because that is the only option.

QrizB

MarzipanCrumble said:

Has anybody had their meters relocated?  Because that is the only option.

My DNO has a page on their website where you can ask them to move your supply point. Check if yours has something similar.

There is a charge, and you need to get your supplier lined up to move your meter on the same day.

Reed_Richards

Whether your smart meter can communicate or not is by-the-by when it comes to getting a heat pump installed.  You won't be able to go on a fancy tariff but I have always been sceptical about the Octopus heat pump tariff if your home loses heat quickly, as might happen if you don't have Underfloor Heating.