Joining the Renewable Heating Hub forums is completely free and only takes a minute. By registering you’ll be able to ask questions, join discussions, follow topics you’re interested in, bookmark useful threads and receive notifications when someone replies. Non-registered members also do not have access to our AI features. When choosing your username, please note that it cannot be changed later, so we recommend avoiding brand or product names. Before registering, please take a moment to read the Forum Rules & Terms of Use so we can keep the community helpful, respectful and informative for everyone. Thanks for joining!
4 bed detached 1920’s house
Hi. I’ve just joined the forum. We’ve just bought a 4 bed detached 1920’s house. We are looking to get solar panels installed and are keen to go as low carbon as possible. Since the heating system is an old gas boiler, we are interested in an air source heat pump.
We’ve had a few companies out who have said we are eligible for RHI which will largely cover the cost of the system. The problem we have is we would be fitting ASHP to the old system, which is radiators only. We’ve had all the calculations done and we are being told the system will perform well with a few radiator changes.
Like a few others on this forum, I’m a bit concerned that the system won’t heat the house sufficiently and our hot water won’t be hot enough during colder months.
The house is cavity wall insulated, lagged in the loft and we are having the windows done imminently too.
The systems we have been recommended are the Grant Aerona and the Midea (different company recommendations).
We’ve also been told the best wall for installation of the heat pump is our north west facing wall (we are limited in where else we can have it). I have concerns about the location owing to it not being in sunlight and therefore lower ambient air temps than other positions.
I’m after any advice / reviews from anyone that has a system fitted in similar circumstances. I don’t want to pay out thousands for something that won’t service our needs or will cost thousands to run.
THANK YOU!
Welcome to the forums @annemolly. You have some valid concerns based on others' experiences, but the reality is that heat pumps do work when they are installed correctly. Hot water has never been an issue for us, but the biggest game changer was upsizing five radiators to K3s in rooms that struggled to come to temperature.
Have you had your heat losses calculated and are the two proposed heat pumps similar in size (kW wise)? There is a lot to consider and hopefully the users on the site can arm you with the right questions to ask so that you appoint an installer that will get the job done properly.
As long as you have good air movement (ie. the heat pump unit and fan not being boxed in) the north-west facing aspect should not be a hinderance.
🔥 Britain’s Heat Pump Shitshow
How Installing a Heating System Became a National Nervous Breakdown
Free UK shipping.
📗 Heat Pumps Explained
A Jargon-Free Guide for Homeowners
Rewritten and updated for 2027
📘 From Zero to Heat Pump Hero
🛠️ Bodge Buster
New to heat pumps?
Take the Heat Pump Fundamentals course and use INTRO50 at checkout for 50% off.
You may want to read Sue's Grant experience: https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/the-importance-of-correctly-installing-an-air-source-heat-pump
She's currently working on an update of their experience and servicing the unit.
🔥 Britain’s Heat Pump Shitshow
How Installing a Heating System Became a National Nervous Breakdown
Free UK shipping.
📗 Heat Pumps Explained
A Jargon-Free Guide for Homeowners
Rewritten and updated for 2027
📘 From Zero to Heat Pump Hero
🛠️ Bodge Buster
New to heat pumps?
Take the Heat Pump Fundamentals course and use INTRO50 at checkout for 50% off.
@annemolly, our ASHP is on a north facing wall. South may be a little better for efficiency sometimes but isn't going to make a huge difference. Your house sounds fine for an ASHP. It will probably be more expensive to run than gas but I'm sure you know that.
Try and make sure the installer has experience in designing and installing ASHPs and if you can speak to one of their existing customers, even better. You'll have to be quick if you want to qualify for RHI.
Good luck!
@editor - thank you for the information and for setting up this forum. I’ve found it so difficult trying to get independent reviews on ASHP systems and so much scepticism! So this is a really useful forum.
- 27 Forums
- 2,776 Topics
- 65.5 K Posts
- 1,117 Online
- 7,183 Members
Join Us!
Installer Finder
Degrees of Separation
Latest Posts
-
RE: Is This Initial Free Quote From Octopus Trusted Partner Reasonable?
@ltron2 where are based? You might be lucky and be in S...
By Mars , 9 minutes ago
-
RE: Say hello and introduce yourself
Hi Mars,Just at the start of my Renewable journey and w...
By Paul1098 , 2 hours ago
-
My fifth heat pump book, Heat Pumps Explained, is out n...
By Mars , 8 hours ago
-
RE: Who's your electricity provider and what's your tariff?
Just furkled Into the parameter menu. Found the master ...
By AgentGeorge , 8 hours ago
-
RE: Analysis of the economics of switching to an A2W ASHP compared to other heat sources
It's interesting that Norway with a much colder climate...
By Rob of York , 9 hours ago
-
RE: Review your electricity provider
Happy to add Scottish Power and the review 'dont touch ...
By JamesPa , 14 hours ago
-
RE: Is it just me, or does tradesperson timekeeping and communication drive you absolutely mad?
Yes, and I would suggest likely to get worse with more ...
By Batpred , 2 days ago
-
RE: Electricity price predictions
This topic seems more suitable for this thread... I a...
By Batpred , 2 days ago
-
RE: Why are ASHP installs so expensive?
It is clearly difficult to say, there must be cases whe...
By Batpred , 2 days ago
-
RE: Panasonic Free Multi Z and Etherea Internal units.
@dgclimatecontrol Thank you for that information and re...
By Toodles , 2 days ago
-
RE: My Kronoterm Adapt 0312 ASHP is finally installed!
@editor It was serendipitous really. Both my wife and I...
By tomasmcguinness , 3 days ago
-
@mrkfm, I'd also suggest that whenever you're ready, st...
By Mars , 3 days ago
-
RE: Are you planning to use a wood burner to supplement your central heating this winter?
I use my stove daily for backup and comfort. Definitely...
By Margarethomas , 3 days ago
-
@rob-of-york Thanks. I wish I'd started on this site as...
By mrkfm , 3 days ago




