Rank 2

Exhaust Heat Pump: Why are my bill's so high?

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
January 16, 2025
54 replies
1482 views

Hi all. First post on here and I need some help if possible please?

I’ve moved into an ‘A’ energy rating flat which comes with solar panels and a heat pump installed. I was told that bills are very low. The heat pump is by ModulAir.

However, and especially in the last couple of weeks, some days have seen sky high prices.

I live on my own and I don’t really use an excessive amount of electricity...I think anyway. TV is maybe on for 2 hours a day. I take one, 5 minute shower per day. I don’t use the dishwasher and will use the washing machine, on a one hour cycle, at most two times a week. I have two Amazon Alexas in the flat too. No EV charging either.

When I first moved in the daily price was roughly £2.50 for the electricity. I went away for work for two weeks and turned everything off in the flat. But I was still charged about £2.50 a day. When I got back and started to turn things on my daily charge went up to about £5.50...and I had nothing different in the flat. Then recently it’s gone wild with some days at £12! One of those days I had the tv on for about 7 hours but everything was the same.

My heating is steady throughout the day. 21c for 90 mins in the morning, then down to 17c during most of the day. Up to 19c between 6.30pm-10pm and then 15c during the night.

I can’t work out why my prices are so high. At the current rate I will be paying £200 a month for one person in a flat which has a heat pump and solar panels. I’m thinking this can’t be right.

Is there anyone who could help me with this please? My property management team don’t seem bothered. OVO are sending out someone to check the accuracy of the meter but will charge me £150.

Sorry for the long post. If anyone could offer some advice then I’d greatly appreciate it.

Thanks. Josh

Show previous replies

J

joshantmannAuthor

Rank 2

Re the dials on the radiators, it’s best to have them all fully open on 6. That way the maximum amount of water can flow around the system. If the rooms get too hot then the answer is to lower the flow temperature, but let’s get to that in due course ! For now see how it settles down, and report back.

How’s the hot water set up ? eg mine is scheduled to heat the tank twice: at 3am and 11am, to 49 degrees.

Of course we have had cold weather recently so the HP will be a bit more expensive to run as its got more work to do. Once we get back to milder days your costs will go back down.

I don’t believe my hot water is actually setup in anyway. Due to the Heat Pump, there is hot water available any time...but again, I maybe wrong with this. I’m not entirely sure how to check if hot water is scheduled at all.

juliamc

Rank 20

Can you post a photo of your controller and someone can see what you should be able to do.

J

joshantmannAuthor

Rank 2

Here's a picture of the boiler status and of the thermostat. Not sure if there is what is needed. Any other suggestions are welcome. Thanks

juliamc

Rank 20

Is it like the system shown on this website? https://jouleuk.co.uk/modulair-all-e-product-page/

I’d like to know what the warning symbol ⚠️ is referring to on the Honeywell. That may be the reason you’ve noticed an increase in cost. Any thoughts @nealmurphy ?

nealmurphy

Newcomer

Nothing definite... You've raised a lot of good points @juliamc

I'd be interested in a wider photo of the boiler unit, water cylinder, outside unit etc. to get an idea of how it's been designed.

Keep an eye on if the 'Element' status on the display changes to On and when and how often it does this. If it's on then it's using it to heat the water which will be expensive in comparison to other means. It's interesting it's called a boiler, so I'm doubting whether it's a full heat pump system.

juliamc

Rank 20

I’ve found this https://knowledgebase.jouleuk.co.uk/uk/modul-air-all-e-honeywell-homeowner-guide

The video explains that the hot water is dealt with automatically as you’ve said so ignore my previous comment about a schedule for that !!
However it also says not to set a schedule for the heating, just so set the room temperature on the Honeywell and leave it at that all the time.
Funnily enough their controller also has a ⚠️. Does the other screen have a similar set of icons as in the video.

It looks like you have a very good system there.

J

joshantmannAuthor

Rank 2

Nothing definite... You've raised a lot of good points @juliamc

I'd be interested in a wider photo of the boiler unit, water cylinder, outside unit etc. to get an idea of how it's been designed.

Keep an eye on if the 'Element' status on the display changes to On and when and how often it does this. If it's on then it's using it to heat the water which will be expensive in comparison to other means. It's interesting it's called a boiler, so I'm doubting whether it's a full heat pump system.

Here's a couple of pictures that might be able to help you out. Please excuse the mess.

J

joshantmannAuthor

Rank 2

I’ve found this https://knowledgebase.jouleuk.co.uk/uk/modul-air-all-e-honeywell-homeowner-guide

The video explains that the hot water is dealt with automatically as you’ve said so ignore my previous comment about a schedule for that !!
However it also says not to set a schedule for the heating, just so set the room temperature on the Honeywell and leave it at that all the time.
Funnily enough their controller also has a ⚠️. Does the other screen have a similar set of icons as in the video.

It looks like you have a very good system there.

From yesterday I've set it to 18c for 24 hours, so we'll see how that goes. The warning symbol means the filter needs replacing on the unit. I'm unsure if that would increase the price.

Ok that's good to know about the hot water.

juliamc

Rank 20

I’m wondering if the cold weather has triggered the system to use the immersion element to heat the hot water, which is just the way it works? It would probably operate like that so it doesn’t sacrifice the room heating.