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Anyone able to provide some feedback before I make my finale decision? Samsung vs Baxi vs Vaillant

Eliuccio · 2025-03-05T19:53:59Z

Hello everyone! I live in Colchester and after having installed solar panels one year ago I am now seriously considering replacing my boiler for a heat pump. I am taking advantage of the BUS scheme. I have asked three quotes from local companies (SmartHeating solutions with Heat Geeks, Sustain Homes under Essex County Council’s Switch Together Scheme, 21Degrees). The latter is the cheapest quote and offers a Samsung R290 5kW heat pump (£2071) Sustain offered a designed based on BAXI 5kW (£4139). I asked them to provide an updated quote with a Vaillant or Samsung. SmartHeating offers a Vaillant-based system for 8K. The differences in price are substantial. I engaged Heat Geek in providing more detailed pricing to justify the costs but their final quote was all they were prepared to offer. They insisted on the long term efficiency of their system design and the value of their scheme. As, I am totally naive to this field I think I will need some more time to assess but I was wondering if anyone here had any experience with any of these companies or would like to share their experience with different quotes (happy to share mine). I eventually aim to complete this project by June/July. Thanks! Elia

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Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs)

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JamesPa

(@jamespa)

Illustrious Member Moderator

12249 kWhs

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Posts: 2292

08/04/2025 3:18 pm

You are right to be cautious about the AI analysis, definitely contains some BS. Once you have a preliminary decision feel free to post it and the rationale for final comment (by several members I suspect).

Please check you aren't going to be saddled with a 4 port device (buffer tank, PHE, LLH) between emitters and heat pump, you will regret this for many years and remember that the 3.5kW Vaillant is just a 5kW software limited, so there is no reason to suppose the 5kW will cycle more.

4kW peak of solar PV since 2011; EV and a 1930s house which has been partially renovated to improve its efficiency. 7kW Vaillant heat pump.

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Eliuccio

(@eliuccio)

Eminent Member Member

224 kWhs

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Posts: 17

Topic starter 08/04/2025 3:21 pm

@jamespa this is Sustain's reply to my queries

I have specified the 3.5kW unit as this provides more than enough heat for your requirements. The 5kW unit is essentially just a software upgrade but would cost more with no benefit for your system.

We would connect the vessel as a volumizer to increase the defrost capacity of the system.

We do include the Vaillant Connect interface as standard to give you the greater control you desire.

👍

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JamesPa

(@jamespa)

Illustrious Member Moderator

12249 kWhs

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Posts: 2292

08/04/2025 3:36 pm

Posted by: @eliuccio

↑

@jamespa this is Sustain's reply to my queries

I have specified the 3.5kW unit as this provides more than enough heat for your requirements. The 5kW unit is essentially just a software upgrade but would cost more with no benefit for your system.

We would connect the vessel as a volumizer to increase the defrost capacity of the system.

We do include the Vaillant Connect interface as standard to give you the greater control you desire.

All good IMHO. Others may have a different view of course.

This post was modified 4 days ago by JamesPa

4kW peak of solar PV since 2011; EV and a 1930s house which has been partially renovated to improve its efficiency. 7kW Vaillant heat pump.

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Eliuccio

(@eliuccio)

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224 kWhs

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Posts: 17

Topic starter 10/04/2025 11:22 am

Just an update on the responses received by Smart Heating.

Here are my questions:

1.Why a 5kW pump has been preferred over a 3.5kW? May this choice lead to an oversizing risk?

2. Relatedly, why 3 new radiators have been designed instead of 4. Wouldn't this improve efficiency at low flow temps?

3. There is no mention of buffer tanks or any 4 port device. Does this mean that none is included in the design?

4. Is the full removal of the old system included in the offer?

5. Solar PV Integration:I don't seem to notice the cost associated with the controller

The 3.5kW are very similar systems, and importantly, the low-end modulation is identical between the 3.5kW and 5kW options — which is the key factor in terms of performance and efficiency. But you may as well go for the 5kW version allows for faster hot water recovery and includes the extra buffer volume required.

The system has been designed for a 45.0°C flow temperature, and in this context, 3 new radiators are appropriate. That said, if you'd prefer to optimise further for lower flow temps, he's more than happy to revise the design to include a fourth.

As per the proposal notes, a volumiser is required and will be installed in the loft — no buffer tank or 4-port device is specified beyond this.

Yes, full removal of the old system is included in the offer.

They did not reply to the last question so I take it it was irrelevant.

I think I will ask them to update the offer with the extra new radiator and then finalise the decision.

Cheers,

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