Share your heat pump experience

I also think the epc should change 

Although while electric is currently over 4 times the price of gas per kWh on the basic standard variable rate, any change needs to be carefully managed so the average consumer isn't still confused. 

Fascinating post, @Corgimajor.

Are you off the gas grid but connected to the electricity grid? 

Novice question alert but why would an EPC rating score ASHP hot water badly? What’s the criteria for deciding if it’s not kWh’s? Is it price based? 

My colleague has been collecting names and has now got heat pump customers lined up. That said we’d love to host any of your thoughts on this on the forum. Why not create a new topic and we can see what other heat pump owners think?

Hi @Tim_OVO,

Thanks.  The following comprehensive answer to this issue (given by Yorkshire Energy Systems - see attached link) hopefully clarifies the problem.  The SAP system is flawed in terms of its treatment of ASHPs.  Only a Govt required review of this failure in SAP calculation methodology will correct the situation and given Rishi Sunak's announcement yesterday one worries that this may no longer be a priority!

https://www.yorkshireenergysystems.co.uk/epcandheatpumps/

PS.  I'm off grid for natural gas, but on grid for electricity.  That said our DNO (Western Power) limited our electrical demand such that we could have either an electric vehicle charger or an ASHP - not both!  NB.  This was  new build home and as such their ability to control what we did (i.e. they wouldn't connect us if we didn't meet their electrical load conditions!) in this respect was far greater than if we were making these changes to an existing property.

This opens up a whole new can of worms when it comes to rural power networks ability to meet the demands for increased electrical loads that will be required to achieve net zero in home heating.

Had 2x 10kw Grant aerona 3 system installed alongside a 4.32 pv panel installation to replace ageing and ever increasing cost of oil central heating and delivery of.

It's still a learning game and still demystifying some of the controls but happy with it so far apart from the winter months when the electricity usage spikes (but we are now fully electric with 2 EVs so can't complain)

It's just had its first service as there was a lack of trained specialists and COVID etc, and also went with the manufacturer to void going out of warranty as it was over a year before we could get the first service done.

Overall really impressed, there is a debate whether hive or nest wireless thermostats are needed versus just using the units controls.

I'll hoping the units will still be going strong to 15-20 years by which time who knows what'll be warming our homes!

Just had our new heat pump hot water system installed *edited by Mod* in our effort to disconnect from gas. I decided to try out the new Emerald Energy (EE-HWS-A1-270E) so only time will tell if it was a mistake not going for iStore or something more premium like a reclaim.

It's a bit noisy when outside but so far not noticeable indoors and the Wi-Fi app was simple to set up and has a nice interface, but a bit limited in features.

Overall quite happy with the installation with the only two concerns:

Firstly, it is overhung from the concrete block, checking the installation manual it states that it needs to be installed on a 60×60 cm block at a minimum or could void warranty, the block appears to be 59 cm so not sure if I should be concerned

Secondly, the condensation pipe should be routed to storm water, it was initially installed to drip down the side of the house, but I requested it to be moved, not sure if it is needs additional attention. I live in Victoria and the area is quite wet, and the termites are a concern as it is a wooden house.

Following on from my observations in 2024 I'm pleased to see that the Govt (following consultation on suitability of EPCs related to the energy prrformance of buildings) have issued a partial response (see link below) indicating that the misleading parameter of energy cost as a key indicator of building performance, that undermined the value of ASHPs over gas boilers based mainly on market cost of gas vs. Electricity, is going to be replaced with 4 separate indicators (i.e. energy cost, fabric performance, heating system and smart readiness).

Not sure how the above will be weighted in any overall assessment (no details), but clearly this will enable domestic households with ASHPs to get a fairer assessment of their energy and carbon footprint rating.    

Changes in EPC rating activities are scheduled during 2H 2026 and govt plans in this area will no doubt compliment the roll out of the greater level of govt grants that form part of the UK Govts "warm homes plan".

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/reforms-to-the-energy-performance-of-buildings-regime/outcome/reforms-to-the-energy-performance-of-buildings-regime-partial-government-response

Hey ​@Corgimajor 

Thanks for coming back with that! Lots of change going on with that side of things, hopefully all with the positive outcome it intends.🤞🏻

Panasonic Air 2 Air system since Aug 24. 

Ex council property, rural Scotland (no mains gas available), removed 3 storage heaters and came off the THTC tariff (smart meter fitted).

Installed a 3.5 kw heat pump, 2 x 2 kw wall mounted units, 1 x 2.5 kw wall mounted unit. All WiFi enabled, house heating is remotely managed and monitored.

Very happy with system performance, controllability and much reduced power consumption - especially after 40 years with storage heaters! 

Where the property is located, replacing storage heating with air 2 air ASHP has been a very popular conversation for a few years now. 

Happy to participate if required. 

​@Infiltrator how do you heat your hot water ? Air to air sounds a very good bet and cheaper to install than a wet radiator system. Particularly good in a small property. I wonder if ​@Viv1966 might be able to get air to air to replace their defunct oil boiler, as they were considering storage heaters??