Air source heat pumps

[beeker]

Same here, learning lots from this. Still no wiser though on the best way to go.

I'm looking to the future, and would like some unbiased advice from someone, rather than a salesman, who all seem a bit snake oily on this.
I live in a converted fairly open plan barn, EPC is D, with an LPG boiler and wet underfloor heating, plus a log burner, all were installed on conversion in 2006, got a few pitched roofs facing wsw, and obviously the other side ese, and one small facing due south, which may not be useable due to planning, so looking to explore all the options. Solar, battery etc, two cars, open to EV as both commute about 30 miles round trip 3 times a week, plus mainly local with the odd road trip. No mortgage, nothing on finance etc. Both getting nearer to retirement age, though we won't

 

[Penninetrader]

Same here, learning lots from this. Still no wiser though on the best way to go.

I'm looking to the future, and would like some unbiased advice from someone, rather than a salesman, who all seem a bit snake oily on this.
I live in a converted fairly open plan barn, EPC is D, with an LPG boiler and wet underfloor heating, plus a log burner, all were installed on conversion in 2006, got a few pitched roofs facing wsw, and obviously the other side ese, and one small facing due south, which may not be useable due to planning, so looking to explore all the options. Solar, battery etc, two cars, open to EV as both commute about 30 miles round trip 3 times a week, plus mainly local with the odd road trip. No mortgage, nothing on finance etc. Both getting nearer to retirement age, though we won't

The log burner, do you provide an outside combustion air source for it ? If not that is a good place to start. Like myself you have I think lots of questions needed answering before making a pragmatic decision.If there is suitable land around the barn would ground source not be able to play a part. On the LPG, when mains gas rose up to 300% in price to the consumer during the crazy time, LPG even in 47kg bottles rose by about 25%, making it cheaper for a time than mains gas. When govs play games it is difficult to make long term decisions due to their changing the rules of the game at a whim. If you come up with anything let us know. Retire, not happening here either

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Does anyone make hybrid systems where the heat pump for example preheats water entering a gas boiler?

One of my neighbours had wet solar roof panels installed. The solar heated an unvented hot water cylinder which fed into the cold inlet of their modulating gas combi. When the water was hot the combi didn't fire up but at lower temperatures the flame came on and added sufficient heat to output the desired temperature to the taps. That part of the system worked fine but the installers had fitted an automatic air vent on the very top of the system (the apex of the roof so inaccessible). Whenever the temperature in the panel rose above around 60 degrees C the heat transfer pump was inhibited to avoid scalding. The temperature in the panel rose and the water vapourise (boiled). The automatic air vent float dropped in its chamber, the vapour was evacuated and when the sun went off the panels they cooled down but the system pressure had gone. Thus the heat transfer pump remained inhibited and the installers came all the way from miles away to recharge the system. This usually took some days so their investment was off line more than it was on during sunny times of year. They had tied themselves into a service agreement for good measure. I studied their system prior to installing my own (with modification) and did explain the problem to my neighbours but the installers wouldn't admit they were at fault. The saga rumbled on...........

 

[Penninetrader]

One of my neighbours had wet solar roof panels installed. The solar heated an unvented hot water cylinder which fed into the cold inlet of their modulating gas combi. When the water was hot the combi didn't fire up but at lower temperatures the flame came on and added sufficient heat to output the desired temperature to the taps. That part of the system worked fine but the installers had fitted an automatic air vent on the very top of the system (the apex of the roof so inaccessible). Whenever the temperature in the panel rose above around 60 degrees C the heat transfer pump was inhibited to avoid scalding. The temperature in the panel rose and the water vapourise (boiled). The automatic air vent float dropped in its chamber, the vapour was evacuated and when the sun went off the panels they cooled down but the system pressure had gone. Thus the heat transfer pump remained inhibited and the installers came all the way from miles away to recharge the system. This usually took some days so their investment was off line more than it was on during sunny times of year. They had tied themselves into a service agreement for good measure. I studied their system prior to installing my own (with modification) and did explain the problem to my neighbours but the installers wouldn't admit they were at fault. The saga rumbled on...........

This is the thinking of my Nephew who has a great deal of knowledge in these matters, that is preheating in some form or other. I have made the case, both to him and my son, that an all or nothing approach is simply the wrong route to take. My Nephew is credentialed in gas, lpg, oil and heat pump.