Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Lincs Robert on 06 October 2017, 20:26:00

Title: Air source heat pump ....
Post by: Lincs Robert on 06 October 2017, 20:26:00
Any OOFers got one, if so, care to share experience?
Title: Re: Air source heat pump ....
Post by: scimmy_man on 06 October 2017, 23:09:50
from experience they dont work properly


they cant cope when it gets to several degrees below freezing, the heat exchanger freezes, so it runs in reverse pulling heat from the house to heat itself,
and repeat, until the house is sub zero.

I saw 10 new houses in York the other year, each one had an electric fire to heat the lounge
Title: Re: Air source heat pump ....
Post by: Lincs Robert on 07 October 2017, 07:29:39
Interesting. The system I’m looking at is a hybrid which uses the ASHP down to, say, 5c and anything below that the existing gas system - the two systems effectively being in parallel with each other. RHI tariff will actually pay for it.
Title: Re: Air source heat pump ....
Post by: aaronjb on 09 October 2017, 08:35:14
I thought they were expensive to run compared to GCH? My brain certainly can't fathom how they'd be cheaper - but to quote TB, I'm just the dumb kid from the local comprehensive  :-\

What about ground-sourced? I can see that working in sub zero (since the ground, below a foot or so, is never below zero unless you live in Siberia) - I believe they can now put vertical GSHPs in rather like driving piles, rather than having to dig up an acre of land..
Title: Re: Air source heat pump ....
Post by: Viral_Jim on 09 October 2017, 11:34:26
I thought they were expensive to run compared to GCH? My brain certainly can't fathom how they'd be cheaper - but to quote TB, I'm just the dumb kid from the local comprehensive  :-\

Investment in insulation, smart heating controls and an efficient GCH boiler is likely the most cost effective route to cheap heating bills. However, this is on the proviso that you are on the mains gas network.

Once you are comparing them to LPG, oil fired or wood pellet heating systems, the heat pumps start to make a lot more financial sense.  :y
Title: Re: Air source heat pump ....
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 09 October 2017, 11:45:48
I thought they were expensive to run compared to GCH? My brain certainly can't fathom how they'd be cheaper - but to quote TB, I'm just the dumb kid from the local comprehensive  :-\

What about ground-sourced? I can see that working in sub zero (since the ground, below a foot or so, is never below zero unless you live in Siberia) - I believe they can now put vertical GSHPs in rather like driving piles, rather than having to dig up an acre of land..

Typically 75% heat recovered from the air for a 25% input of juice to run the pump.



Title: Re: Air source heat pump ....
Post by: Lincs Robert on 09 October 2017, 11:47:00
There is a govt subsidy called RHI which I’d be able to claim the entire cost of the system back in 7 years.

I’m on mains gas and already have an efficient gas boiler. However, I also have PV solar panels so that’s a source of electrical power which could be used for some of the ASHP needs.

GSHP is more expensive and available land an issue, the borehole approach is possible - but research shows that they also have downsides.

I’m tending towards not doing this - just looking for possible experiences out there in OOF land.
Title: Re: Air source heat pump ....
Post by: Lincs Robert on 09 October 2017, 11:49:29
I thought they were expensive to run compared to GCH? My brain certainly can't fathom how they'd be cheaper - but to quote TB, I'm just the dumb kid from the local comprehensive  :-\

What about ground-sourced? I can see that working in sub zero (since the ground, below a foot or so, is never below zero unless you live in Siberia) - I believe they can now put vertical GSHPs in rather like driving piles, rather than having to dig up an acre of land..

Typically 75% heat recovered from the air for a 25% input of juice to run the pump.

With gas “unit” pricing being about a 1/4 of electricity ...... Parity at best methinks, although the available solar from the panels tips the favour back towards the ASHP