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Solar panels and air to water heat pump

15 replies

superplumb · 20/08/2026 18:41

Ive been offered solar panels with a 10kw battery and air to water heat pump ( gov grant) . House had been surveyed and I have sufficient insulation ( but not under floor heating). Currently have a 13 year old gas boiler. Cuts out sometimes and was considering a combination boiler.
I do have the option of a 5kw battery and solar only if I dont want the new heating system..

Ive read mixed reviews on the heating. Its with plumb line but its changing all radiators and having some much larger and additional ones added. Not sure im brave enough. I do wfh and feel the cold but its me with kids so I worry it wont work out.

Anyone got one? Good points? Worth it?

OP posts:
sbplanet · 20/08/2026 19:08

If you feel the cold, then ashp heating is great. You have to learn to use it differently, it should be on as much as possible as it keeps the place warm by heating at lower temperatures for longer times - low and slow. But it does mean that, in our case, the house is always warm - 21C we chose. If you have decent insulation and are getting new radiators (needed to emit lower temperature heating, less temperature needs larger size rads) then it should just be a case of learning to use it. :)

superplumb · 20/08/2026 20:06

sbplanet · 20/08/2026 19:08

If you feel the cold, then ashp heating is great. You have to learn to use it differently, it should be on as much as possible as it keeps the place warm by heating at lower temperatures for longer times - low and slow. But it does mean that, in our case, the house is always warm - 21C we chose. If you have decent insulation and are getting new radiators (needed to emit lower temperature heating, less temperature needs larger size rads) then it should just be a case of learning to use it. :)

Thanks. What put me off is if I dont get on with it i dread to think if the cost of going back to a standard boiler as the radiators will all be diff. I also worry about the massive ugly radiators and the amount of electricity it will use, even tho id have the solar panels to off set it, most of my bill is electric cost.

OP posts:
sbplanet · 20/08/2026 20:14

superplumb · 20/08/2026 20:06

Thanks. What put me off is if I dont get on with it i dread to think if the cost of going back to a standard boiler as the radiators will all be diff. I also worry about the massive ugly radiators and the amount of electricity it will use, even tho id have the solar panels to off set it, most of my bill is electric cost.

We had an Octopus / Daikin heat pump install, the radiators are bigger but only a couple look 'big' the others fitted onto the wall in the place the old ones were on. If you're getting solar then you'll have some electricity for 'free'. There's plenty of people out there with them, most that don't like them try and use them like an old style heating system. Do your research, join a few FaceBook groups and ask some questions, that's what I did.

notapizzaeater · 20/08/2026 20:33

You can’t go back to a normal boiler - it’s not allowed, you can only got forwards. (I had a too big ASHP that was costing me a kidney! I wanted to rip it out and go back only to find out you legally can’t !) that said I changed my ASHP to the correct sized one and now I love it !

superplumb · 20/08/2026 20:39

notapizzaeater · 20/08/2026 20:33

You can’t go back to a normal boiler - it’s not allowed, you can only got forwards. (I had a too big ASHP that was costing me a kidney! I wanted to rip it out and go back only to find out you legally can’t !) that said I changed my ASHP to the correct sized one and now I love it !

Oh god I didnt know that. Thats another worry. I use a lot of electric having kids etc..but I was hoping to keep some solar use for my usual use,but if they use a lot then im not sure it'll be cheaper for me.

OP posts:
superplumb · 20/08/2026 20:39

sbplanet · 20/08/2026 20:14

We had an Octopus / Daikin heat pump install, the radiators are bigger but only a couple look 'big' the others fitted onto the wall in the place the old ones were on. If you're getting solar then you'll have some electricity for 'free'. There's plenty of people out there with them, most that don't like them try and use them like an old style heating system. Do your research, join a few FaceBook groups and ask some questions, that's what I did.

Can you suggest some good groups please.

OP posts:
sbplanet · 20/08/2026 20:42

superplumb · 20/08/2026 20:39

Can you suggest some good groups please.

I only really know the Octopus one. But when I started looking I just typed a search term (Octopus heat pump, or some such) into the Facebook search box and looked at the groups it listed.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/838006284614996 (Octopus ASHP)

DraftLovely · 20/08/2026 20:47

If you are getting solar panels with it and a battery then you heating is going to cost you very little! You'll get money back during the summer months. The heat pump type heating is used by keeping it on all the time (when its cold) and it has ambient temperature. You can turn it up to be warmer but instead of coming on in the morning for example, you keep it on all the time and the house never gets cold cold. With the solar panels it is perfect. The big radiators never get really hot so you don't have to worry about a child sitting next to it and burning themselves.
They make cats very happy as they are warm and thick enough for them to lie on. I would do it if it is free and will make you money (pennies not pounds, well maybe pounds possibly but not a fortune) if used correctly. It is a learning curve to use them though and the temps need some trial and error. Just consider carefully where you put your tank and the fan thingy outside of your house as they can be big and difficult for people to move. The system also needs servicing like a normal boiler so make sure you have a company within a reasonable distance that will do that. Ask if servicing comes as part of the deal.

superplumb · 20/08/2026 21:21

DraftLovely · 20/08/2026 20:47

If you are getting solar panels with it and a battery then you heating is going to cost you very little! You'll get money back during the summer months. The heat pump type heating is used by keeping it on all the time (when its cold) and it has ambient temperature. You can turn it up to be warmer but instead of coming on in the morning for example, you keep it on all the time and the house never gets cold cold. With the solar panels it is perfect. The big radiators never get really hot so you don't have to worry about a child sitting next to it and burning themselves.
They make cats very happy as they are warm and thick enough for them to lie on. I would do it if it is free and will make you money (pennies not pounds, well maybe pounds possibly but not a fortune) if used correctly. It is a learning curve to use them though and the temps need some trial and error. Just consider carefully where you put your tank and the fan thingy outside of your house as they can be big and difficult for people to move. The system also needs servicing like a normal boiler so make sure you have a company within a reasonable distance that will do that. Ask if servicing comes as part of the deal.

When the guy looked in my airing cupboard where my big tank is, he said the new tank would be much larger and id lose some space. Prob is i use this for towels etc. Plus ots really warm whixh is handy in the winter for damp childrens school shoes etc. I was hoping to be able to add another shelf if anything..not lose room

OP posts:
superplumb · 20/08/2026 21:45

When the guy looked in my airing cupboard where my big tank is, he said the new tank would be much larger and id lose some space. Prob is i use this for towels etc. Plus ots really warm whixh is handy in the winter for damp childrens school shoes etc. I was hoping to be able to add another shelf if anything..not lose room

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 20/08/2026 22:17

Solar electricity is generated on sunny days in the summer months, when you don't need it. It will be of negligible help with your winter heating costs.

notapizzaeater · 20/08/2026 22:45

I’ve solar panels, batteries, electric car and an ASHP, in Jan / Feb last year my bills were about £300-400 for electric, the rest of the year much much less. I pay £150 a month for gas (hob only) and electric and that’s about right over the year.

superplumb · Yesterday 09:57

notapizzaeater · 20/08/2026 22:45

I’ve solar panels, batteries, electric car and an ASHP, in Jan / Feb last year my bills were about £300-400 for electric, the rest of the year much much less. I pay £150 a month for gas (hob only) and electric and that’s about right over the year.

Sorry you paid 300-400 a month? Is thst befote the ashp or after? No way could I afford that

OP posts:
notapizzaeater · Yesterday 09:59

That was the really cold winter months, over the entire year it averages out to £1800 but that includes everything so charging my car plus all the gas. (And my son is a really heavy electric user !)

sbplanet · Yesterday 11:31

superplumb · Yesterday 09:57

Sorry you paid 300-400 a month? Is thst befote the ashp or after? No way could I afford that

You need to get some quotes for the work, so you know how much electric you might use and how much you might generate. Have you thought of batteries too? It's no good going on what other people use, your house and usage will be unique to you. :)

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