Heat Pump v's Solar Panels

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Ned_ie

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Hi All

COnfusion.com is where I'm at at the moment!

Yesterday our hot water cylindar gave way and while it has been temprarily repaired it is now time to make a decision!

1 - replace with another ordianry cylindar and continue using the oil/emersion system;
2 - retro-fit solar panels and 300l cylindar; or
3 - (the one I hadn't thought too much about) retro-fit a heat pump system negating the need for oil comletely.

Am totally confuddled now.

I priced a 3sqm solar system this mornign and it comes in about 6,000 excl VAT. It is one of the Kingspan systems. Sounds great - looks good - happy days apparently. But in relaity it will only provide an elemnt of the hot water required for the house.

While is was at the shop (Eiretherm in Cahir) the guy also mentioned the Heat Pump system. Willl coist about €10,000 excl VAT. He did say that it is a much better system that putting in the solar as you don't need oil at all then. However, I guess I am just a biit sceptical at the moment. It is a lot of money. If I go for this system and had been using say €1500 worth of oil then my bill would be down to €700 as the electircal ruinning cost of the system is about €700 (so he says).

I guss what I want to know is:

a) does anyone have the heat pump and how are they working;
b) Am I mad thinking of spending that kind of cash - which I wil have to borrow in any event
c) would i be just better off with the solar panels

Any and all advise is greatly appreciated.

Many thanks!
 
The heat pump would only suit your situation if you have a highly insulated (and i dont mean minimum standards!) and very airtight dwelling, thus reducing heat loss to a minimum. As your house appears to be at least 10 years old i doubt that it meets these necessary standards.

heat pumps work on electricity and if your house doesnt suit it, it will have to work extra hard all th etime to heat your dwelling, it would cost you a fortune to run!!
 
Solar panels do not work. Avoid.
Mixed reviews from folks with heat pumps. Difference between flat gound pipes and the 100m drill down version. Talk to someone other that a green party member or a salesman who has come through a full winter.
Avoid any form of heating which promises to 'complement' your heating rather than replace it.
In my opinion all the green alternatives are unneccessarly expensive.
Heat pumps only work with under floor heating.
 
House is about 6-7 years old and shoudl be fairly well insulated. We had the walls pumped with polyfoam stuff about 18 months ago and have reinsulated the attic with an extra 6 inches of fibreglass insulation - is that sufficient?
 
Ned_ie said:
House is about 6-7 years old and shoudl be fairly well insulated. We had the walls pumped with polyfoam stuff about 18 months ago and have reinsulated the attic with an extra 6 inches of fibreglass insulation - is that sufficient?
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impossible to tell to be honest.....

you should get professional advice. Heat pumps work more effectivly with underfloor heating as it runs at lower temps.

personally i would think youd be much better off looking at putting another 2-3 k into ensureingbetter insulation and air tightness, than forking out 10k + for a heat pump system.
 
But that still does not sort out my heat problem does it. Fine I have a well insulated house but I still need to heat it.
 
Ned_ie said:
But that still does not sort out my heat problem does it. Fine I have a well insulated house but I still need to heat it.
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you need to understand the the more you insulate and airtight, the less you need from your heating system. Passive houses work on this principle of basically, trapping heat and not letting it out.

i would still advise a condensing oil burner with a highly insulated and air tight dwelling. You would only require to use the boiler very minimially.
 
Ned_ie said:
Will cost about €10,000 excl VAT. .................. as the electircal ruinning cost of the system is about €700 (so he says).
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You may save (based on salesmanspeak) €700 per year so it will take you 14 years to make the system pay - you'll probably have to replace it then.

Somehow it just doesn't add up. Spend some money on future proofing your home with heating controls, windows, insulation, energy efficent white goods etc.
 
Ned_ie,

I understand your query.You are trying to decide what the best and most economic option of heating your house is.My opinion is:

- solar panels work if installed properly.I would lean toward German/Austrian makes and avoid Chinese.

- Geothermal heating works.However it works better with underfloor heating as it runs at a lower temp (45C) standar radiator system runs at (60C).It probably is more suited to a new build.

On the above I wouldn't personally deal with big companies.I only deal with the experienced plumber who has installs solar panels or geothermal routinely.These are the guys to talk to.They are interested in keeping busy but genuine enough to only install these systems where they will work well.

Before installing anything I would find a competent plumber who does the above and make sure that you have the ''FULL'' cost of what is involved with the above and if it's right for you.Genuine/Competent plumbers will always stay busy it's just the cowboys who are being flushed out at the moment.

Just keep your objectives in mind.The solar panels, geothermal, oil etc. are all heat sources for your heating & hot water.

The larger 300L cylinder is only needed if you wil be using more than one heat source.If the geothermal, wood pellet or other modern option doesn't suit you and you had no hot water shortage with your original cylinder I would simply replace it.

I would spend a bit of time if I were you getting it right.
 
Cheers Wexford. I do intend spending time makig sure I get the right end result. I think the geo system is out now. Just had a word with a plumber sho says its not really good on a retro fit. So back to Solar now. We are looking at a system to put in place. I think I will go with German but now need to find agents inIreland for a good one!

SO any help on that is appreciated

Cheers again
 
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