Grant available, Dimplex Quantums, or Air Source, (both with solar)? ...which would you go for??

Stubod

Hi, as per the title, we may be eligible for a grant to improve our heating. We are all electric and have storage heaters, some of which are quite old. It looks like we may be offered the option of all either all new Quantums, or possibly Air source heat pump. Both options will include solar panels.

At some point in the future we may be looking to move. My head is telling me Quantums, particularly if we stay put. We have one, and it performed quite well last Winter. 

I am not a fan of air sourced as everybody I know that has one either spends a fortune to maintain a resonable temperature, and / or has also had to install a 2nd heat source for the coldest days. (Also the problems of running a wet system in a property that does not currently have a wet system).

However if we sell, air source may be more attractive to a buyer?

Any thoughts welcome. NB Our house is 1990's and has some cavity wall insulation fitted from new, but they advised they would also install extra loft insulation.

Many thanks.....

Martyn1981

Option 3 perhaps, A2A heatpump units, and keep the old storage heaters for back up/top up just in case, in worst winter days?

With the savings* (v's new storage heaters, or full wet ASHP) add a battery to the solar, and avoid buying any day rate leccy all year round.

*Sadly, the cheaper A2A units, may not attract the same subsidy support of the ASHP wet system, so this may not be possible.

Stubod

Ta for the feedback. Never heard of A2A!!...will have a google...

Magnitio

A2A, or air-to-air heat pumps have been excluded in the past, partly because they can be used for cooling as well as heating. This appears to be changing. See below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/families-to-get-more-choice-over-home-upgrades

QrizB

Air source and solar

You've not mentioned costs; is this ECO4 where the grant covers everything, whatever the total is, or will you need to contribute too?

I've voted for ASHP, but Quantums will be much cheaper to install if you're having to foot part of the bill. ASHP is likely to be cheaper to run but that does depend on what happens to tariffs over the next decade or so.

Reed_Richards

Air source and solar

I voted for ASHP because I have one myself, it costs me a bit less to run than the oil boiler it replaced and in four winters I have never yet had to use a 2nd heat source for the coldest days.  I agree that installing a wet system in a property that doesn't have one will cause expense, the problems are for your installers to deal with.  If it is all being paid for by a grant then you will get much much more's worth of equipment with a heat pump system than just replacing old storage heaters with new ones. 

Stubod

Hi all and thanks for the replies, they have advised that it should be fully funded....

Stubod

Not sure about A2A??....seems to be a lot of "unsightly" equipment and pipe work to me, and no heat "storage" option. Plus the noise of (many) fans running??

Reed_Richards

Air source and solar

Another advantage of an air-to-water heat pump is that it will give you cheaper hot water, presumably you use an immersion heater at present?

Stubod

Yes, use immersion heater on Economy 7, but hoping that solar "may" be able to top this up??

NB I am not particularly looking to "save money", I am hoping that for the summer months we may be self sufficient for electric, but would then "spend" any savings made on a bit more heat during the Winter. ie I would expect our electric bills to remain about the same? At resent we also use a multi fuel burner for probably about 6 months of the year, (Oct to March).

QrizB

Air source and solar

Will they let you keep your multi fuel stove? A neighbour had to argue with his installers and convince them that it wasn't a significant contributor to his heating, as they thought they'd have to remove it for him to qualify for the BUS grant. ECO4 is different so you might not have this problem.