Moving into an ecohome - what to check?
Hi,
We're in the process of buying an ecohome and it's all a bit new to us. Looking for advice on things we really should get checked, buyer beware etc.
It was newly built around 10 years ago. It's a 3 storey detached house, heated by an air source heat pump, a Daikan erhq016, with a solar panel installation on the south facing roof and solar batteries as well. Ground and first floor have underfloor heating, top floor has radiators.
There's even a rainwater harvesting system under the garden.
We assume a regular RICS building survey is not going to check important things about the efficiency of the house's setup.
Anything we should definitely get investigated, or types of specialist survey or checks we should have carried out?
Thanks!
Hi Jamie,
Welcome to the forum, though things seem a little quiet at the moment.
Let me first of all state that I am not anti Air Source Heat Pump's (ASHP), I installed an Air to Air ASHP myself earlier this year. I nevertheless feel it is important that people are aware of their limitations as well as the benefits.
I was pleased to read that you have a solar PV system and also battery storage. Do you know the size of your PV system and storage batteries? Do you know if the property has a solar power diverter installed? A diverter can be used to provide much of your hot water requirements from Spring through to Autumn, by using the energy generated by your solar PV system along with charging your batteries for use during evening and nighttime. The solar PV will also help power the ASHP during daytime.
I would suggest that you ask how long the solar PV and batteries have been installed. The output from the solar panels does reduce with time, though the manufacturers normally specify a certain reduction over 25 years. The inverter with the solar PV system should last at least 10 years and could last much longer. The batteries also deteriorate with age and number of charges/discharges.
The primary energy source for an ASHP, as the name indicates, is from the outside air. This poses the inherent weakness of ASHP systems, in that as the outside air temperature falls, the energy supply also reduces. This has the effect of reducing the efficiency of ASHP's as the air temperature falls. To minimise energy consumption it is therefore necessary to ensure that an ASHP is operating under optimum conditions.
I would suggest that you ask for details of the calculated heat demand for the property, along with past energy consumption details.
If you have access to the User Manual for the ASHP, check to see if it has Weather Compensation and then ask if it is operational. Weather compensation varies the Leaving Water Temperature (LWT) from the ASHP. The lower the LWT, the more efficient the ASHP will be operating.
Asking the following questions may also be useful.
When was the ASHP last serviced and by whom?
What problems if any have been experienced with the ASHP and its operation?
How effective are the controls at maintaining the desired temperatures throughout the property, particularly during cold Winter days.
If you have any further questions or would like clarification of any point then please feel free to ask.
- 22 Forums
- 2,078 Topics
- 45.5 K Posts
- 95 Online
- 3,355 Members
Join Us!
Trusted Installers
Struggling to find a reliable heat pump installer? A poor installation can lead to inefficiencies and high running costs. We now connect homeowners with top-rated installers who deliver quality work and excellent service.
✅ Verified, trusted & experienced installers
✅ Nationwide coverage expanding
✅ Special offers available
Latest Posts
-
RE: Renewable Heating Hub Homeowners' Q&A Podcast
In our latest episode, we hand the mic to four homeowne...
By Mars , 5 hours ago
-
RE: Forum updates, announcements & issues
@andrewj I’m currently away and only back this weekend....
By Mars , 5 hours ago
-
This is very interesting - I have just had my ASHP spli...
By heat-pump-newbie , 8 hours ago
-
RE: Help Stop the MCS Heat Pump Monopoly
Response sent. Thank you for highlighting the document...
By Sheriff Fatman , 12 hours ago
-
RE: I worry I've messed my Samsung settings up somehow
Yes , this time of year . Unfortuneately I dont have ...
By Alfapat , 14 hours ago
-
RE: Feasible solutions to expand existing Sunsynk battery capacity
Ours is a loft installation, which is where both invert...
By Sheriff Fatman , 15 hours ago
-
All your heat pump problems solved by -- a plate heat exchanger in a plinth!
The cut away appears to shows that its a plate heat exc...
By JamesPa , 16 hours ago
-
RE: 5 Star Service from Havenwise
@sheriff-fatman Exactly this is why a lot of our users ...
By HCas , 1 day ago
-
RE: Solar Thermal DHW and ASHP
I'm beginning to think solar thermal is something that ...
By Alex_N , 2 days ago
-
RE: Commencing on an ASHP Installation Process
I received the BUS Grant permission email yesterday eve...
By Sheriff Fatman , 2 days ago
-
RE: Solar Power Output – Let’s Compare Generation Figures
510kWh of solar PV from my 4kW Hyundai panels and SMA S...
By JulianC , 3 days ago
-
RE: Is my Samsung heat pump working too well?
Thats in itself is interesting. I have a Vaillant heat...
By JamesPa , 3 days ago
-
RE: Jokes and fun posts about heat pumps and renewables
@transparent Not a swell season then ☹️
By Toodles , 4 days ago
-
RE: Air Changes per Hour - ACH and the MCS requirement
update - my old installer insisted on a heat loss of 11...
By MatWin , 4 days ago
-
I agree it's not very helpful. Generally, the max heat ...
By Old_Scientist , 5 days ago
-
RE: Why Your MCS-Certified Installer Might Not Be As Competent As You Think
Hive and most other smart thermostats don't play well w...
By JamesPa , 6 days ago
-
RE: Enabling WiFi: Samsung ASHP on Smart Things App
Thanks for the input. I've been running various experim...
By Grahamh-uk , 6 days ago
-
RE: Radiators downstairs are cooler at the bottom after ASHP install
@melonbuffet Hi, this sounds great is you are getting 5...
By ASHP-BOBBA , 6 days ago
-
RE: Ripped Off: How UK Homeowners Are Paying Gas Prices for Wind Energy
I believe there's another reason that network upgrades ...
By Transparent , 6 days ago
Members Online
No online members at the moment