GSHP V's Air to Water vs Oil and solar panels?

Marmalade79

Would really appreciate some honest opinions on the various heating options?... About to start building 2750sqft two storey house, high level of insulation and airtightness, Heat recovery ventilation system, and we're so confused over which heating option to go with. Our preference initially was for Ground source heat pump, but speaking to engineers etc regarding the popularity of Air to Water we're not so sure. Our issue with the ATW is its inefficiency at low temperatures and life span of the equipment, our issue with Ground Source is the initial cost and disruption onsite... however the cost has come in at just €1340 more expensive that the A2W so don't feel that's significant enough. We are hearing good reports from those that have both but worry that no one is actually going to ever criticise their chosen system?!..... Then you have the doubters that recommend keeping things simple and going back to the oil and solar panels....I'm cracking up!! Would really love some honest opinions /experiences/truth about bills!! TIA

MicktheMan

Marmalade79 wrote: »

keeping things simple

This

agusta

Marmalade79 wrote: »

Would really appreciate some honest opinions on the various heating options?... About to start building 2750sqft two storey house, high level of insulation and airtightness, Heat recovery ventilation system, and we're so confused over which heating option to go with. Our preference initially was for Ground source heat pump, but speaking to engineers etc regarding the popularity of Air to Water we're not so sure. Our issue with the ATW is its inefficiency at low temperatures and life span of the equipment, our issue with Ground Source is the initial cost and disruption onsite... however the cost has come in at just €1340 more expensive that the A2W so don't feel that's significant enough. We are hearing good reports from those that have both but worry that no one is actually going to ever criticise their chosen system?!..... Then you have the doubters that recommend keeping things simple and going back to the oil and solar panels....I'm cracking up!! Would really love some honest opinions /experiences/truth about bills!! TIA[/QUOT
What temperature is air to water inefficient at..,this is what you need to know..,And how many days in the year approx would air to water be inefficient..,in my opinion it would be very few.Solar only gives you 60 percent max of your hot water requirements.i cant see how solar pays

TPM

Before you can make any decision on heating systems or obtain any information relevant to your situation you need to know the heat loss of your house.

In fact this the first step in designing any heating system.

This is information you should have received in writing from your builder/engineer or whoever is responsible for the build as it is a fundamental and critical part of the specification/build of house (having it in writing and confirmed is essential as the heating system will be designed based on it and it the heat loss is substantially different than it is suppose to be the heating system wont work efficiently

building heat loss has a much larger impact on the heating than your choice of heat source (oil boiler, heat pump, pellets etc) of heating method (rads, underfloor heating, forced air etc.)

Once you have the heat loss than you can start to compare heat source and heat delivery method options by (in no specific order)

cost of installation
service/maintenance costs
how common and proven it is
reliability
running/fuel costs (from similar installations and http://www.seai.ie/Publications/Statistics_Publications/Fuel_Cost_Comparison/Domestic-Fuel-Cost-Comparisons.pdf )
Availibity of fuel
how/if it suits your current and future living situations
flexibility of system
possibility for future expansion
convenience of operation

if you can provide the heat loss you are much more likely to get information that will help with comparisons

Supabran

Hi. I have an over 2000 square foot house, built 2 years ago. Had same problem as you trying to decide what system to use.
If you go underfloor then Oil is not a great option as it needs constant heat.

Long story short, I have Daikan A2W heatpump and its fantastic. I said before building I would not get one but I am delighted with it.
Ground Source was too expensive for me as I would have to bore as I live on coast in bad land area.

I have friends with Ground source and they love it. Price difference is nothing really so I might be swayed to ground source if I was you.

Another thing to remember is when you are in the house you do not think of payback times, you think of comfort. I have stats in each room and can control temp in each room as required. All my stats are set to about 19 and I go around in t-shirt most of the time. sitting room set to 20 as its room we just sit in. worst case is first thing in morning when stats have not falling for heat to kick in and house feels cooler, but nothing a top wont sort out. it is plenty warm. I have lots of solar gain so house can get very toast most days without heat kicking in. As with most heatpump systems (And it take a while to get brain to adjust to this) is that they work best when always on.

So in summary, I have all underfloor up and down (have hallow core) house is always the same temp, regardless of time of day. always hot water in tap. no messing with ashes or fires (You dont need a fire if insulation and air tightness is done right. I argue with people who say, ah but we love the fire, so did I but now dont miss it)

Cost. I work from home, so cook in house, lights always on etc. I have 3 kids under 5, all love to 30 min showers until water runs out at least 2/3 times a week.. Enough water in tank for all of us to have a shower no problem, kids just leave water on. anyway last years Electricity bill for the year was 1800 for the year.

If I did again I would invest in better stats that will adjust every .5 Maybe also the ones that can be set 2 different temps, for day and night. Ill tell you why. Cold day, nice and sunny, my bedrooms are get solar heat, room could be 19/20. In evening my stats might drop to 18.5 but heat wont come on until they drop to 18 (needs to drop 1 degree past set to kick in). by time het kicks in room can be 18 and feel a little cooler when putting kids to bed, after bath etc. Changinh stat to 20 and back to 19 will kick on the heating. not a biggy just a little annoying. Other thing to consider is you will have "open rooms", not controlled by stats, as thats how it works. When heating in any room is on, thie room will alos be on so plan it out. 2 bathrooms on each floor are always on in our house and it works fine.