ASHP install questions

madmackem

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81884691#Comment_81884691

My address qualified for the upgrade due to the poor quality housing. Nothing to do with the benefits I get. I've worked for nearly over 40 years and lost my job a few months ago due to health, so need to look after finances. Not asking for your sympathy, just looking for advice. If you cant offer any scroll on.

madmackem

So is this forum now changing from money saving to poor bashing? Last two comments? Everyone is only a moment away from some "bad luck" to changing their fortunes forever.

NedS

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81885592#Comment_81885592

Many government policies exist to help promote the adoption of green technologies, and have done so for years in many different guises. Everyone benefits from these policies, either directly or indirectly. Those who do not agree with them would be better placed directing their opinions towards their local MP.

But as you suggest, we are not really here to debate government policy, but rather to help people get the most out of their heat pump systems.

Magnitio

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81884815#Comment_81884815

Just ignore them. I think you have had some good advice. By the time of the installation heating costs will be minimal. Wait until your current tariff ends, switch to Octopus Cosy and terminate your gas supply for free. If Octopus Cosy doesn't work for you, then you can switch again without charge.

Marmaduke123

I hope you have thoroughly checked the installers, free or not. There are many stories of botched installations by cowboy companies set up to take advantage of these free to householder schemes.

akwexavante

Wait until your current tariff ends, switch to an Octopus tariff that does not have an early exit fee if possible and terminate your gas supply for free. If the Octopus tariff your on doesn't work for you, then you can switch to a different Octopus tariff again without charge or switch to a different provider if a different provider can offer a better deal.

ASHP's are not for every house and or the occupiers. It's obvious that some homes SHOULD NOT have had ASHP's installed in the first place for a variety of different reasons.

I wouldn't disconnect the gas supply until i was confident that switching to an ASHP as a heating system was the right choice for the property and myself first.

IS YOUR HOME VERY VERY WELL INSULATED from the start, cavity wall insulated and fully maxed out in the loft. Do you have pre 90's solid floors. If you have a solid floor that was laid before say 1995'ish then it almost certainly IS NOT insulated and will have a sizeable impact on your ASHP heating bill.

Alnat1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81900227#Comment_81900227

Is your home very very well insulated? This works exactly the same for ANY heat source, be it electric, gas or oil.

Where does this idea come from that you only need the best insulation if you have a heat pump?

akwexavante

You are absolutely correct Alnat1.

However, i think it's far more important to get insulated well with an ASHP.

When i moved into my 1930's home it was heated by a propane heating system, and it was a warm cosy home as it was.

I had my ASHP installed a few months after moving in and i was disappointed with the ASHP's performance and i wasn't very warm either.

The house was cavity wall insulated, but the loft met the minimum std set years ago. I had uninsulated solid floors.

After replacing and exceeding loft insulation requirements, i'm much happier. After insulating room in loft slopes to all upstairs rooms even happier. After digging up uninsulated floors and relaying them i'm even happier. After insulating pipes under timber floors with Primary Pro insulation (not typical std insulation) i was even happier still.

YES i would be better off doing exactly the same to a gas, oil or propane heated home too.

For me the benefits of greater insulation where an ASHP is fitted are greater and far more important and beneficial, especially on the pocket.

If i still had my propane heating system i probably wouldn't have bothered to beef up the homes' insulation, well i would probably have just done the loft.

akwexavante

A gas, oil and propane heating system can heat up a space quickly and even overheat a space. It can recover from sudden heat loss quickly too (someone opening windows or opening and leaving a door(s) open) for more than normal. These heating systems can cope with a poorly insulated space because they heat and reheat up spaces quickly maintaining a comfortable temperature better.

Go on holiday and turn the heating off, when you return home the heating system will warm up the home fairly quickly.

An ASHP heating system heats up a space slowly and "JUST" maintains a temperature. It doesn't respond well to windows being opened or doors being opened for longer than needed to walk through and close. An ASHP heating system IMO struggles to cope with a poorly insulated spaces because heat loss can be greater than the ASHP can punch out, works harder and costs more.

Go on holiday and turn the ASHP heating system off, when you return home the heating system will take all day, longer to warm up the home.

Now that my home is well insulated i'm VERY VERY happy with my ASHP and this home is the cheapest i've ever had to keep comfortably warm and cosy, but it's been a bumpy ride achieving it. Insulation insulation insulation is key IMO.

Magnitio

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81900513#Comment_81900513

Not all ASHP systems are the same. Some can quite comfortably produce 75-80 degrees heat if required and can also heat up much quicker. It's just more important with a heat pump that the equipment and the way it is installed is appropriate to the building and the heating requirements of the customer.