Rules and Guidelines
Want to participate in the discussions? Please read our Community Rules and Guidelines. Need some help? Visit Support and Answers.

  • State Not Answered
  • Replies 13 replies
  • Subscribers 44 subscribers
  • Views 221 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
You may also be interested in

Pro's and cons of a heat pump

aligarjon

Hi Guys.  

My son is in the process of buying his first house.  There are currently night storage heaters in there. Most are older models. One is quite modern.  There is currently no gas at the property but there is in the road if he wants to get it put in.

We are looking at options of either getting an Air sourced heat pump put in with new radiators etc or getting gas put in and going down the gas boiler route.

Does anyone have real world experience with heat pumps re running costs against the cost of using gas. I seem to remember that you need bigger radiators ? I may be getting that confused with something else :)

There is the obvious saving of standing charges if he doesn't get gas put in. Other than that I know very little about heat pumps. I am aware that there are currently grants available for heat pumps. 

Does anyone have any first hand experience or recommendations please.

Thank you

Gary

Parents
  • 0

    If you are putting in central heating for the first time, it seems sensible at least to plan for a heat pump. If you choose gas for now, but have larger radiators than it needs, the rooms will heat up quicker and then the TRVs will close.

    Gas may be available now, but is already excluded in new builds. I suspect that new gas connections may also be banned soon, so if you want it, get it while you can.

    By far the most important thing is to maximize insulation with particular attention to stopping draughts through windows and doors.

Reply
  • 0

    If you are putting in central heating for the first time, it seems sensible at least to plan for a heat pump. If you choose gas for now, but have larger radiators than it needs, the rooms will heat up quicker and then the TRVs will close.

    Gas may be available now, but is already excluded in new builds. I suspect that new gas connections may also be banned soon, so if you want it, get it while you can.

    By far the most important thing is to maximize insulation with particular attention to stopping draughts through windows and doors.

Children
  • 0 in reply to Chris Pearson
    Chris Pearson said:
    stopping draughts through windows and doors

    But not total stopping up. Our kitchen had double glazing with no vents or extraction [no cavity wall either], plus 'plaster on the hard' and open cavity. The condensation was horrendous.

    Had to install vents on all the hopper windows, an extractor, cavity toppers (and ultimately, cavity wall insulation and air brick liners).

    There are lots of little nuances that have effects over the months and years that the desire for instant heat can hide.  [Seal Tight, but Ventilate Right ??]

  • 0 in reply to Philip Oakley

    Seal Tight, but Ventilate Right ??

    Indeed - one option that again works well for me (in a renovated 1910s build stone house with lots of insulation) is heat recovery ventilation. If you're doing a major refurb it would be a lot easier to run the air ducts - but sometimes they can be incorporated into existing more easily - if the layout is helpful. Saves a significant amount of ventilation heat loss in winter, makes sure everywhere is fresh (even if you want to close the windows for security when out) and can even help a little with summer time cooling if you go for a model with a summer by-pass. Mine has a in-built humidistat so draws reduced power most of the time but then automatically boosts when humidity rises (i.e. someone takes a bath or shower, or cooking).

       - Andy.

Community Rules & Guidelines