Posted by: @adamk

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would you go with Octopus, the indy, or though HG to get the 3.5% scop guarantee?

also maybe a question for a separate post but which is the best heat pump? Vaillant, Daikin, Panasonic, Riello, Samsung, Mitsubishi or another?

Difficult to comment.  Given the choice I would design for 45 or less and wouldn't accept anyone who won't.  I would reject without question anyone wanting to fit a buffer tank, llh or phe for system separation.  I ended up going with an independent because he was local and, in my scoring system, scored the same as my alternative.  Local is always good in my book, provided they are competent.

Any plumber can change radiators, so I wouldn't necessarily be influenced by that.

Re choice of heat pump tbh it doesn't matter as much as the system design.  Mitsubishi are well renowned, Vaillant have a nice user interface IMHO (I have one) and a good service network.  Panasonic has its followers and looks to have a pretty comprehensive controller.  I would avoid Samsung unless you also fit a homely, just because the controller lacks some useful features.  Mitsubishi and at least some vaillants are assembled in the UK if that matters to you.

@jamespa Having lived in this house since 1985 and spending some 12 years in the previous house just a road away, we have always sought to find a good electrician and a good plumber. We have been successful in some instances but in the case of one electrician, his marriage broke up - so did his quality of work. We had a very good plumber - who retired and we found another - who has since retired. We have had several electricians since too! Regrets, Toodles.

@adamk would you like me to connect you with a top installer in Lincolnshire?

First off, congrats on the EPC improvement from E to B. It sounds like you’ve put a lot of thought and effort into preparing your home for a heat pump, and it’s frustrating to see such inconsistency in the quotes you’re getting. It’s very common though. 

It’s possible that the quotes are being adjusted based on updated assumptions (e.g., heat loss calculations, radiator upgrades or even market changes), but it’s not great that they’re not being transparent about it, which continues to be a gripe for me. The fact that Octopus left you hanging for a month and then asked to come back later doesn’t inspire much confidence either.

It’s clear you’ve done a lot of prep work already like running new pipework, setting aside space for the heat pump and planning for lower flow temperatures (45°C is a great target). Well done. This should make your home an ideal candidate for a heat pump, so it’s disappointing that the quotes are coming in so high.

On the question of which heat pump is best, it’s hard to give a definitive answer as it often comes down to the installer’s preferences. Ultimately, the installer’s expertise and the system design will have a bigger impact on performance than the brand itself. We covered this here:

How To Choose The Best Heat Pump Brand For Your Home?

I think you should be aiming for lower (<40C) flow temperatures and an SCOP nearer 5. You might need some bigger radiators than currently proposed but if they are being changed then the extra cost will be relatively small. Oversized radiators can be throttled but the only way to get more heat from an undersized radiator is to turn up the temperature. However, sometimes there isn't space for anything bigger.

Posted by: @editor

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@adamk would you like me to connect you with a top installer in Lincolnshire?

if you could please.

@adamk I’ll do that tomorrow using the email address you registered with here on the forums.

Posted by: @editor

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@adamk I’ll do that tomorrow using the email address you registered with here on the forums.

thank you.

Posted by: @editor

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@adamk I’ll do that tomorrow using the email address you registered with here on the forums.

sorry to chase but have you got the details of the company in lincs as im on a bit of a tight schedule.

@adamk intro sent seconds ago.

@adamk  You will need to make an LCT application to your DNO (National Grid) in order to have a heat pump installed.

It's free, but worthwhile doing asap.

There are occasionally times when they request a delay whilst they upgrade cabling "in the road",
but there are also circumstances when the house has to be moved across to a 3-phase supply.

Once again, that's at no cost to you...
... but you'll need to consider what goes on what phase.

More importantly, you could then have a 3-phase ASHP.
They're more efficient. 🙂 

I have a partnership agreement with NGED which allows me access to their data and mapping tools.
So if there's any 'issue' I can delve into details of your local grid to understand what's happening.