Ground Source Heat Pump (NLC)

[thinfourth]

I would look at replacing the radiators that you use - you can leave the ones you don't often or never use as the old type. Of course you can always do the heat pump first and then see what the temp drop across the radiators looks like - if it's too low to be useful with the old cast iron type, then you'll need to invest in some new radiators I think.

Cheers,
Robin

Have you seen the price of cast iron radiators on fleabay

You could sell the old ones and fit new ones at damn near zero cost

[Titanium S1 111S (gla)]

Tut,

I know you have ruled it out but did you do a pricing exercise on a ground source system for comparison? If so what did you find?

G

[tut]

No, never went into the GSHP, just the Air one. The figures for that did not have much bearing on the costings that I am using, installers talk of £6K-£10K, and that is for smaller output pumps, whereas I am working on around £3K or less for a 22KW one, depending on how I have the installation done.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220929689292? ... 5043wt_966

tut

[colintinto]

Not checked the rules recently, but it always used to be the case that only certain units were approved for RHI, and they had to be installed by an accredited supplier.

So you can almost certainly save cash by buying a unit from eBay and getting a local plumber/sparky to install, but you'll not get the payments back from the government.

[tut]

I have not read anything regarding only certain pumps qualifying Colin, but it is a well known UK company so will give them a ring.

It does have to be fitted by a MCS installer, but I have one in the village that has already done work in the house, and another twelve within 25 miles. However this cutting does specify system, so I will have to check.

"If you want to get payments through the Feed-in Tariff or Renewable Heat Incentive, you must use an installer and system with current accreditation from the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) or Solar Keymark."

tut

[timmsky]

I have not read anything regarding only certain pumps qualifying Colin, but it is a well known UK company so will give them a ring.

It does have to be fitted by a MCS installer, but I have one in the village that has already done work in the house, and another twelve within 25 miles. However this cutting does specify system, so I will have to check.

"If you want to get payments through the Feed-in Tariff or Renewable Heat Incentive, you must use an installer and system with current accreditation from the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) or Solar Keymark."

tut

Are you still interested in exploring this tutor did you get sorted?

As you know I've been doing this for over 5 years now and running my own company supplying, installing and commissioning these systems (ground and air source) for over 3 years. If you're still thinking of it, let me know.

Cheers,
Iain
</shameless plug>

[sendmyusername]

Re: air source.
What speed do the fans rotate at for domestic single phase ?
What other maintenance costs are involved ? (bearings replacement etc)
How noisey are they ?
Can they be used for heating AND producing electricity ? (not necessarily at the same time)

I've noticed a guy up the road from me has 3 fitted to the side of his house, at first I thought he was involved in cannabis production, but unfortunately it was just airsource heating.
Due to me not having hot water in my house, and my 'now girlfriend' being a bit preoccupied about this fact ( I managed perfectly well since 2000, and my last 'then girlfriend' coped for a year and half ?) I have been looking at the different options available to me.

I have plumbed in gas, which at the moment goes to the boiler and the cooker (the central heating works, just the tap water that is cold) (shower is electric before you ask) my gas bills have gone from about £140/quarter to £340/quarter my 'then girlfriend' and 'now girlfriend' probably account for some of the rise, but I can only see gas getting dearer.
If airsource could do my heating and water in the winter, and produce electricity in the summer (apparently june 24-july28th) it could be possibly cheaper in the long run. I have no idea if it can do this as usually the systems are made to make one or the other I think ?
Also the heaters are unsightly, and would need to be mounted outside the bedroom window, which is why i'm asking about the noise level.
I'm not thinking about a replacement until later next year (after this winter, but before the next) just trying to sus out what's viable or not.
Ideally I could fit two units, I have a 1935 style house so underfloor heating etc would mean major upheaval so not really viable. Plus kitchen is five feet of solid concrete.
Any info would be greatly recieved.
Any info ABOUT AIRSOURCE ... (not about what a tightwad I am)

[MacK]

Air source heatpumps don't produce electricity, they just use some.

As for fan speeds, that will depend on each individual manufacturer. As will noise levels and other things like heat output temps and capacity.

[Dipper]

interesting thread. we're in the planning process for a new build and this is proving to be the biggest headache. cant get a straight answer out of anyone in the trade. from architects to builders to plumbers etc. all have a different idea of which direction to go. what pisses me off is that there are grants for certain renewables but no grants for increasing the insulation. i looked at fitting a bigger kit with more kingspan and it was an extra 20k!

[tut]

We had to knock it on the head Iain as it looked as if we would be selling TT in the near future, still will be but not sure when yet.

Fitted the largest output multifuel stove I could find instead which is on 24/24 along with the oil in winter, ie:- Sept to April, and that keeps the house warm and it is more economical than oil alone.

tut

[bertieduff]

stuff

Did you look at an insulated breather membrane on the kit? It's reasonably cost effective: IIRC equivalent to an extra inch of PIR board insulation for far less cost. I spec something like 'Breatherfoil FR' by YBS Ltd regularly. TBH with current insulation standards on a new-build it's reached the point of diminishing returns now.
Generally speaking, when I'm doing SAP calculations these days, all the 'common sense' improvements such as increasing U-values, reducing glazing areas etc. make far less of a difference than looking at the heating system and it's control efficiency: for a gas heating system boiler interlocks and weather compensation controls can be your best bet for improvement (over and above an efficient boiler obviously).

[tut]

Thread resurrection.

Have been researching GSHP again as Tut End has the system fitted, but looks as if I will miss out on the RHI. Latest figures are 18.8/kWh payable for seven years, but it looks as if it only applies to systems that were installed after July 2009, and this one was installed with the house in 2007.

Pity as it would have worked out around £3.5K/yr. I have pm'd Iain Thomas as I did not go into detail with the seller as to what his operating costs are, so he could give me an idea and more info on the system itself. However he is not on very often nowadays, so does anyone have a number for him? I did not even check BB speeds whilst I was there, but suspect they will be pretty abysmal, house is 5.5kms from the Keith Exchange. Tried to check on line, but getting answers between .12 and 2.9 at the PC of AB55 6UE, so appreciate if anybody could come up with something more accurate.

tut

[Mikie711]

tut, if you get a hold of Iain then let him know that I am in need of his services as we are going to install GSHP system at our new place. Seems a shame to waste 6 acres on just sheep

[tut]

Jolly good idea, we can pool our knowledge, and I can give you actual usage costs.

tut

[BigD]

I really like the sound of the gshp systems. Makes perfect sense in rural areas. Must be better than wind power etc?