Can't decide to go with A2W Heat Pump or Natural Gas

Bernie Bobcat

We are renovating our 1960's bungalow at present. It is being totally gutted and extended and will have all triple glazed windows and doors when it's finished. We are having the existing external walls insulated, spray foam in the attic space etc etc.

In the extension we are planning to have underfloor heating and this will run through the open plan kitchen/Diner/Family Room, and also in the new build Master Bedroom and Bathroom. All the floors in these areas will be fully insulated.

On the ground floor along with the L shaped hallway we have a Lounge and Guest bedroom and these will have new radiators installed. In the attic conversion/dormer area upstairs we have an open plan study, a third bedroom and a bathroom.

My dilemma is whether we go with an Air to Water Heat Pump or not. We have access to Natural Gas as we are in the town centre. I had originally decided that the A2W system was the only way to go, but I was talked out of it and settled for Natural Gas with a Combi Boiler.

The work has now started and final decisions need to be made in the coming few weeks, and the doubts are creeping back in! The quote I got for a Danfoss Heater along with all my domestic plumbing was excellent so it's not necessarily the cost that's holding me back.

We plan on having a solid fuel fire insert & stove in the both the family room and the Lounge so we don't need the house to be toasty warm unless we're settling down for an evening in front of the telly, and in that case we will almost always want the stove on so it creates a nice atmosphere in the room.

I'm afraid that the underfloor heating will cost a lot if it's being heated with Natural Gas as it seems that the UFH is most efficient with the use of a Heat Pump.

I keep changing my mind and I really don't know what way to turn so I would really appreciate advice from anyone with past experience!

cruiser202006

If there's enough in the budget for the air to water then go for it. Get night rate installed and have it heating the slab when electric is cheapest.

Bernie Bobcat wrote: »

We are renovating our 1960's bungalow at present. It is being totally gutted and extended and will have all triple glazed windows and doors when it's finished. We are having the existing external walls insulated, spray foam in the attic space etc etc.

In the extension we are planning to have underfloor heating and this will run through the open plan kitchen/Diner/Family Room, and also in the new build Master Bedroom and Bathroom. All the floors in these areas will be fully insulated.

On the ground floor along with the L shaped hallway we have a Lounge and Guest bedroom and these will have new radiators installed. In the attic conversion/dormer area upstairs we have an open plan study, a third bedroom and a bathroom.

My dilemma is whether we go with an Air to Water Heat Pump or not. We have access to Natural Gas as we are in the town centre. I had originally decided that the A2W system was the only way to go, but I was talked out of it and settled for Natural Gas with a Combi Boiler.

The work has now started and final decisions need to be made in the coming few weeks, and the doubts are creeping back in! The quote I got for a Danfoss Heater along with all my domestic plumbing was excellent so it's not necessarily the cost that's holding me back.

We plan on having a solid fuel fire insert & stove in the both the family room and the Lounge so we don't need the house to be toasty warm unless we're settling down for an evening in front of the telly, and in that case we will almost always want the stove on so it creates a nice atmosphere in the room.

I'm afraid that the underfloor heating will cost a lot if it's being heated with Natural Gas as it seems that the UFH is most efficient with the use of a Heat Pump.

I keep changing my mind and I really don't know what way to turn so I would really appreciate advice from anyone with past experience!

MicktheMan

Ideally, you need to match your heat source with your heat distribution system (heat emitter);
You are planning on having uf (low temp), rads (high temp) and I assume domestic hot water (high temp), all being produced from the one heat source.
While a heat pump can be very efficient at producing low temperature water, its efficiency falls through the floor and struggles to produce higher temperature for rads (can result in reduced life of heat pump). Yes you can oversize your rads or get low temp versions to overcome this problem (all depends on heat retention properties of the renovated part) but you still need to produce your domestic hot water!
Using a high temp heat source can overcome these issues with proper design.
Finally, it is generally easier to find a competent gas boiler technician than a heat pump tech as well as parts.

I am not an expert on either heat pumps or boilers but, if it was my house, I'd go the gas boiler route.

Gas Networks Ireland: Bernice

Hi Bernie Bobcat,

If you have any questions or would like more information the benefits of natural gas please pop over to our Talk To page where we will be happy to assist.

Thanks,
Bernice