I've done a huge amount of reading and consulting with folks
(reading key posts on underfloor heating, heat pumps, other forums,
talking to users,installers,etc) and I'm at the point of trying to
finalise decision on whether to go with a ground source heatpump
with horizontal collector and underfloor heating in our new house
(2750sq ft, 2 floor block build house on 1acre).
When I try to do costings and payback calculations on heatpump
versus oil I can convince myself that it is worth it if we were
to choose underfloor regardless of the heat delivery method.
However, if push came to shove I'm not totally averse to putting
in standard panel rads in the rooms. In other words in my decision
process I looked at heatpumps first as a way of minimising the
rising costs associated with oil. I wasn't necessarily fixated on
underfloor heating at the outset. I only narrowed down on underfloor
because heat pumps confine our potential choice down to
underfloor heating delivery only.
So here is the what-if. My plan B is to install panel rads, a high
efficiency oil boiler, high spec thermostats including climate control
and zoned control of heating throughout house, pour excess funds
into maximising insulation (high insulative window glass, thicker
attic/roof insulation than normal,etc). Supplementing this with
solar heat collectors for domestic hot water (my bit for the
environment). Idea is to keep an eye on the alternative energy
sources with a possibility of switching out the oil boiler 5-7 yrs
down the road (or sooner) - I guess it is the natural instinct to
avoid being an early adopter. Also within budget using this
configuration would be to install a solid fuel/wood burning
stove in one of the main downstairs reception rooms.
Is there any logic to this. Completely illogical plan B ??
From anecdotal discussions it seems heat pumps are definitely
economical compared to oil when considering underfloor heating
is a must. However, I have this hunch that when you drop
back to conventional rads with oil and a decent efficiency
oil boiler & house insulation the economic arguments get
weaker especially considering the upward drag on ESB prices
by fossil fuel supply/demand.
Any critiques of my Plan B ?
Is this premature buyers remorse.. i.e last minute irrational concerns.?!
ipl
(reading key posts on underfloor heating, heat pumps, other forums,
talking to users,installers,etc) and I'm at the point of trying to
finalise decision on whether to go with a ground source heatpump
with horizontal collector and underfloor heating in our new house
(2750sq ft, 2 floor block build house on 1acre).
When I try to do costings and payback calculations on heatpump
versus oil I can convince myself that it is worth it if we were
to choose underfloor regardless of the heat delivery method.
However, if push came to shove I'm not totally averse to putting
in standard panel rads in the rooms. In other words in my decision
process I looked at heatpumps first as a way of minimising the
rising costs associated with oil. I wasn't necessarily fixated on
underfloor heating at the outset. I only narrowed down on underfloor
because heat pumps confine our potential choice down to
underfloor heating delivery only.
So here is the what-if. My plan B is to install panel rads, a high
efficiency oil boiler, high spec thermostats including climate control
and zoned control of heating throughout house, pour excess funds
into maximising insulation (high insulative window glass, thicker
attic/roof insulation than normal,etc). Supplementing this with
solar heat collectors for domestic hot water (my bit for the
environment). Idea is to keep an eye on the alternative energy
sources with a possibility of switching out the oil boiler 5-7 yrs
down the road (or sooner) - I guess it is the natural instinct to
avoid being an early adopter. Also within budget using this
configuration would be to install a solid fuel/wood burning
stove in one of the main downstairs reception rooms.
Is there any logic to this. Completely illogical plan B ??
From anecdotal discussions it seems heat pumps are definitely
economical compared to oil when considering underfloor heating
is a must. However, I have this hunch that when you drop
back to conventional rads with oil and a decent efficiency
oil boiler & house insulation the economic arguments get
weaker especially considering the upward drag on ESB prices
by fossil fuel supply/demand.
Any critiques of my Plan B ?
Is this premature buyers remorse.. i.e last minute irrational concerns.?!
ipl