Pauline von HellermannMar 16

#ClimateDiary We are in intense #Heatpump vs new boiler discussions in our household at the moment, and it is quite something how geopolitics and radiators (and other practicalities like: will the humming be loud?) all swirl through my head at once.

(Our house is old, terraced and high ceilings - it looks like it’s not impossible but challenging. Costs come into it too, of course. Also worried on this front: might geopolitics mean i will not earn any money next few years?)

Show threadMark BurtonMar 17
@pvonhellermannn
We have a larger, older house and have had heat pump for some 18 months (2 winters).
It's quiet and costs are about the same / less than gas (difficult to be precise given changing tariffs, warmer house and change from gas cooker).
Top tip, check the installer's heat loss calculations, e.g. room size measurements. Ours made an error (identified before installation) and so gave us radiator labour free.
You don't want to oversize or undersize. Consider hot water panels (greener)
Show threadMark Burton

@pvonhellermannn
On heat loss calcs, they are critical to comfort and efficiency. You don't want too big or too small. Our neighbours were offered too big a pump because installer hadn't correct size in stock.

Older terrace, you might need better insulation - it will work OK without but would use less energy and reduce running costs (but up front will cost - go for 'low hanging, cheap fruit' first).

Mar 17 at 9:28amWeb
Show threadPauline von HellermannMar 17
@markhburton thank you Mark, this is all incredibly helpful. The boiler/heat pump installer/plumber who is talking us through all this, mentioned this too - that it’s really key to get all the calculations right. We are a little bit wary of having to install a lot of additional radiators - we may get a detailed calculation/survey done before committing fully!
Show threadMark BurtonMar 17
@pvonhellermannn
We had to change 5/13 rads.
Show threadWanstead Climate ActionMar 17

@pvonhellermannn @markhburton

I don't have Mark's practical experience, but liked watching 'Heat Geek' explainers on YouTube.

Also, someone was telling me underspecification or bad installation by contractors is a big problem in social housing and a reason why some people are heat-pump-sceptical.

Show threadCharlie StyrMar 17
@WansteadClimateAction @pvonhellermannn @markhburton heat geek are very good and provide software to installers to facilitate affordable installs, they offer guaranteed efficiency levels for different costs - search “heat geek zero disrupt” to find their form and get an indicative quote, it might be less than you expect compared with others.