A well-insulated 3 bed semi-detached house will have a heat loss of about 10,000 kWh of heat energy per year, and an average family will use about 3,800 kWh for domestic hot water.
To produce this amount of heat energy you will need to install a heat pump that can produce a minimum of 5kW heat energy – with a COP (Coefficient of Performance of at least 3.0/3.5.
There are over thirty heat pump manufacturers registered on the Microgeneration Listin the UK and the cost of a typical system using say the Mitsubishi Ecodan as an example – will be from about – £2,500. You will in all probability need a new hot water cylinder which is suitable for an air source heat pump.
If you are not using a cylinder supplied by the heat pump manufacturer, make sure it is copper and has a heat exchanger coil surface area at least two metres squared. For 180L unvented (pressurised cylinder) expect to pay between £700 and £1000.
Total breakdown for the cost of a full system:
Heat Pump and Unvented Cylinder – £3,500
Installation and commissioning including all accessories – £2,500
When you have a quote from a local plumber or a national company, make sure they include ALL of the costs including electrical installation work and plumbing. If you are told the system can be installed in a just a few hours it probably means they are not quoting for the complete installation. To fully install a heat pump and cylinder, retrofitting into your existing system, commissioning and instructing the customer – this will take at least two working days.
ACS Renewable Solutions Ltd are heat pump specialists and provide a free survey to check you are installing the right size system.
Here’s a list for the Mitsubishi Ecodan that will include:
Air Source Heat Pumps must be fitted by a MCS registered installer to meet building regulations and to qualify for any available grants and government feed in tariffs.
The installation has a minimum 5 Year Warranty and annual maintenance is provided free in the first year. Air Source Heat pumps must be fitted by a MCS registered installer to meet building regulations and to qualify for any available grants and government feed in tariffs.
dave andrews
July 25, 2012 at 13:50
Can you say if this heat-pump will entirely replace a gas boiler? ie will it provide the peak heat load.
Also will I need to change the radiators because the heat pump has a lower output temperature?
Finally doesn’t the COP drop off in the winter when it gets very cold?
many thanks
Dave Andrews
admin
August 1, 2012 at 09:39
Yes it can replace the gas boiler completely. Regarding the peak heat performance, provided a heat loss survey is conducted for each room and the radiators are sized correctly, the heat can be tailored to heat the property using lower temperatures and achieving higher efficiency savings. One last thing to consider. The price of gas is relatively cheaper than say oil or LPG. Therefore, the payback installing a heat pump may take longer.
admin
August 1, 2012 at 09:48
Regarding the COP, this will drop as the temperature falls resulting in higher electricity usage. The same of course applies to any heating appliance oil, gas, electric. Provided this is taken into account when sizing the heat pump, sufficient heat will be provided when outside temperatures fall below -20C.