Daikin Altherma Hybrid - Going All-Electric?
Hi,
First time poster. I've already got so much value from reading others posts -- it's so good to know there are others out there willing to share their experiences!
Our current home renewables setup is:-
- Daikin Altherma Hybrid Monobloc Heat Pump Module - EJHA04AAV3 (4kW)
- Daikin Altherma H Hybrid Gas Boiler Module - EHY2KOMB28AA
- 12 x 365W Monocrystalline JA Solar all black panels
- Solax Power X1 Hybrid Series Inverter
- Solax Power Triple Power 5.8kW Lithium-ion Battery (50Ah)
We're exploring how we can go all-electric in the household.
The only gas-powered appliance we have left in the house is the Daikin Hybrid boiler.
We're looking at options such as a Hot Water Tank or even a Sunamp Heat Battery, but before we can proceed we need one fundamental question answered.
Can our Daikin Altherma Hybrid ASHP work to provide energy *without* being attached to a Gas Boiler?
The installation manual shows that the Hybrid setup can definitely support a Hot Water Tank, but we're looking to remove the Gas Boiler element altogether.
I've been unable to get a straight answer from Daikin, so wondered if any fellow forumites might have some insights?
Hi Weoleyric,
Welcome to the forum.
To try to answer your question, it very much depends how your original system is designed to operate and what duties your gas boiler actually performs. Since you mention installing a hot water cylinder, then I assume that your gas boiler is providing all your hot water, but does it also provide any form of heating? The fact that your ASHP is only rated at 4kW, would probably mean that it would struggle to provide all your heating and hot water demand in the depths of Winter. What is the size of your home and the heat loss calculations?
@Derek-M Thanks for the welcome and your response!
To clarify, our ASHP Hybrid system is setup to use Gas for hot water, and electricity (priority) with gas backup (when the ASHP can't provide the required level of heat) for heating.
Our home is a small 3-bedroom semi-detached in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. It is well insulated, with double glazing, cavity wall insulation and loft insulation.
I've checked the Daikin Altherma Hybrid Monobloc Heat Pump installation manual, and it does refer to the option of having a hot water tank, however, I can't clarify if a hot water tank could be used *without* a hybrid gas boiler attached, too (to allow us to go all-electric).
The worst-case scenario for us is that the Daikin Heat Pump *isn't* capable of working without a hybrid gas boiler, and are looking at a brand new ASHP to go all electric. Fingers crossed that isn't the case!
Hi @weoleyric
It is difficult to give definitive advice without knowing exactly how your system is connected and configured, but based upon the information supplied I think that you may be able to consider the following.
I see no reason why it should not be possible to completely remove the gas boiler and install a hot water cylinder. I would suggest a cylinder, with a large area heating coil suitable for use with a heat pump, and also two immersion heaters, one for use with an electrical power diverter unit to use power from your solar PV system, and one fed directly by mains power for when there is insufficient solar energy.
Since you state that you have a small, well insulated, home, your present heat pump will probably be sufficient to keep your home at the desired temperature, and may even be able to provide much of your hot water even during the Winter months. Do you have any heat loss calculations for your home? Rather than installing a larger heat pump for the few days I suspect your present system may not meet demand, you could consider buying an electric fan heater or similar.
The fact that you have a solar PV and battery storage system is highly useful, and should allow you to maximise the operation of your system, and minimise the running costs.
Here are some suggestions for consideration.
When heating is required by the heat pump, the primary energy source should be solar PV when it is available, then your battery storage when there is insufficient solar PV. Drawing power from the grid should be the last resort, though of course you could fill your batteries and run your heat pump overnight on one of the low rate tariffs.
To provide hot water the primary energy source should be excess solar PV via a power diverter unit (iBoost, Solic, Immersun etc), then hot water heated by the heat pump when excess solar is insufficient, and direct grid supply as a last resort.
We have a somewhat similar set up to you, in that we have a gas boiler that can provide both heating and hot water, but via a hot water cylinder. We also have a 4kW solar PV system, but without the battery storage, and this provides the majority of our hot water from Spring through to Autumn, via an Immersun power diverter unit. For the past two weeks our gas boiler has been shutdown completely, our hot water has been produced solely by solar power, as has much of our heating via an Air to Air ASHP. Most days recently there has been sufficient solar energy to both provide hot water and heat our home, often with excess left over. We boost the indoor air temperature to 22C to 23C during the daylight hours, so that the heat pump has less work to do during the colder nighttime period.
If you have any further question or require clarification then please get in touch.
@weoleyric sorry to butt in here - if I was starting again with a new cylinder I'd consider Solar Thermal water heating which I believe means two coils. Depends on the available roof space for more panels of course.
Posted by: @heat-pump-newbie@weoleyric sorry to butt in here - if I was starting again with a new cylinder I'd consider Solar Thermal water heating which I believe means two coils. Depends on the available roof space for more panels of course.
Thank you for your input Newbie, how are your smoke signals progressing, have you had any replies?
I didn't suggest solar thermal because a 4kW solar PV system should be able to provide both hot water and heating for most of the year, though installing a hot water cylinder with two heating coils and two immersion heaters would cover all bases for further expansion of the system should it be deemed necessary.
- 22 Forums
- 2,073 Topics
- 45.5 K Posts
- 44 Online
- 3,351 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: Commencing on an ASHP Installation Process
@sheriff-fatman Thank you for a very detailed review of...
By ASHP-BOBBA , 10 hours 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 , 11 hours ago
-
RE: Why Your MCS-Certified Installer Might Not Be As Competent As You Think
I'm more than happy to try to help. Are you op...
By JamesPa , 14 hours ago
-
RE: What’s the modern take on advised types of insulation?
@jeff I am sorry @jeff if I have misunderstood what you...
By Toodles , 15 hours ago
-
RE: 5 Star Service from Havenwise
@sheriff-fatman Good post. I am also considering Hav...
By Morgan , 19 hours ago
-
RE: Getting the best out of a heat pump - is Homely a possible answer?
@editor Cobbler’s Mantra that!
By Toodles , 20 hours ago
-
RE: Radiators downstairs are cooler at the bottom after ASHP install
@melonbuffet This is great assuming now the down stairs...
By ASHP-BOBBA , 2 days ago
-
RE: Renewables & Heat Pumps in the News
Australia Blue, the first wind farm in Western Victoria...
By Morgan , 2 days ago
-
RE: Flow rate discrepancy between ASHP and manifold
That's useful thanks, I hadn't seen that table before. ...
By AshRolls , 2 days ago
-
In principle I agree, @johnmo, but with provisos. The...
By Majordennisbloodnok , 3 days ago
-
RE: Heat pump installation and BUS Grant timings
@jamespa Thats how I understood it too. 🙂
By ASHP-BOBBA , 3 days ago
-
RE: Antifreeze top up for my heat pump - is this a rip off?
@sallyl That sounds about right if they are re-filling ...
By Brendon Uys , 3 days ago
-
RE: Enabling WiFi: Samsung ASHP on Smart Things App
I would switch it off and see if anyone noticed. We use...
By Anonymous 5011 , 3 days ago
-
I wouldn't be so sure about that. Heat pump designers ...
By JamesPa , 4 days ago
-
RE: Jokes and fun posts about heat pumps and renewables
@toodles they're a rowdy bunch!
By Mars , 4 days ago
-
RE: Home energy storage & battery register
@jamespa To a certain extent, by exporting to the grid ...
By Toodles , 5 days ago
-
RE: Forum updates, announcements & issues
@editor Fairy Nuff Mars, I doubt that my ramblings woul...
By Toodles , 6 days ago
-
RE: Confusion about heat pump sizing
We’ve published a deep dive into heat pump sizing, and ...
By Mars , 6 days ago
-
We’ve published a deep dive into heat pump sizing, and ...
By Mars , 6 days ago