So I’ve had a go to at least improve it a little even if it may not be ideal, used the 42 and lots of the bond and seal, taken the shut off lever off for now need to cut the sticking out ends off. The cable ties are jump temp to let the bond set. I’ve also got an insulation jacket on order to fully cover the Y strainer. Also need a new clip as the screws were rounded off. 

I am curious is putting a removable cover of benefit? If so are we talking about covering all the pipework even behind the heat pump?

Posted by: @jeegnesh

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taken the shut off lever off for now need to cut the sticking out ends off.

You don't have to keep the lever bolted in place...
... so long as you remember where you put it in the event of needing to shut off the pipe in an emergency!

But you do need to cover that hole where the nut for the lever semi-protrudes.

You don't want rain to run inside the insulation now, because there's not an easy way for it to escape.

As I have a 3D printer, my solution would be to make a cover which clips into place.
But use adhesive-backed tape if that's all you have available.

@transparent thats a good idea I can keep the handle safe and find a suitable removal covering.

So that leaves me with, is it worthwhile covering all the pipework, if so any ideas on what to use?

The more layers you add around that external pipework, the less heat will be lost.

So boxing around them solves two problems... visual and thermal loss.

But there should be 400-500mm gap behind the external unit to allow free flow of incoming air.
Adding boxing without increasing the distance would further impede the air, resulting in the system being less efficient.

Is there enough slack on the flexible pipes which connect to the heat-pump to allow it to be moved forwards?

Yes, I realise it's heavy.
But thieves are usually successful with a trolley-jack.  🤔 

If you do decide to add boxing, remember that it must be rodent-proof.

Pipe insulation makes excellent nesting material.

@transparent I hope you are not being admonished @transparent, your reasoning is very sound IMNSHO!. We have experience of autism in our family and find that, as you suggest, someone with OCD would do a fine job - furthermore such person’s attention to detail without tiring or ‘that’ll do attitude’ dominating, would be well worth employing for such rigorous detailed work. There is a skill in all of us that can provide benefits to others - we are all different - but equal! Regards, Toodles.

@transparent 

been in the heating industry for over 43 years 

from apprentice, sole trader to owning a large heating company, sold in 2017, to then move into manufacturing, designing and making exsternal insulation products to help professional heating engineers 

The products provided for them over the last 25 years were not made for exsternal insulation, and as I advise, it is virtually impossible for the pro to fut and seal correctly in UK weather conditions 

This is why we see many with the wrong insulation, not fitted & sealed correctly ( loads of tie wraps to hold it on as not sealed correctly )

They did not have a product to help them 

I can honestly say, over the last 7 years, we have been providing products and tools to help Pros. We have seen so many quality installations, as they have the product and tools to help. 

We don't need specialist pipe insulation installers, as the pro installers have the skills to do the job. It's best to insulate as you fit the exsternal pipework, sliding most of it onto the pipework, fitting the sleeve,  fitting the insulated pipe through the sleeve to the inside of the property and sealing. 

Please have a look at our  primary YouTube channel, or c if anyone needs help or advice, just post on here and tag me in 

There to help and provide information to this great community hub 

thanks 

Posted by: @david-s

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We don't need specialist pipe insulation installers, as the pro installers have the skills to do the job.

They do?

But that isn't apparent from the photos we're regularly seeing posted here on the Forum.

The pictures we're seeing here are indicative of pipe insulation (external & internal) being applied in haste at the conclusion of  the install.
There's no obvious skill or awareness of the thermal losses.
Nor does there appear to be much pride in the contractor leaving his visible work in a state which suggests a 'job well done'.

Back in 2021, BEIS ran a heat-pump trial, headed up by Alex Hobley.

Government selected a number of professional installers to put heat-pumps into 740 dwellings, spread across three areas of UK.
I followed the Trial participants in SE England, whose installations were coordinated by OVO Energy.

The quality of workmanship was appalling, with pipe insulation being a front-runner.

The largest installation contractor was dismissed from the scheme, and HP manufacturers were 'bailing out' BEIS by sending their own in-house staff to sites and fixing problems.

The Electrification of Heat Trial was compiled into a report by the Energy Catapult at the end of 2022.
Having spent of £14m of taxpayers' money, the main conclusion was that Heat Pumps can be 3x more efficient than gas boilers.

I could've written that by reading the manufacturers' own literature.

I'm delighted to see Primary Pro properly developed and available to current installers.

I wonder how much faster you would have created Primary Pro if a small fraction of the £14m had been offered to you instead of frittered away on poor installations.
Government schemes never seem to favour the innovators who could actually get things right.

Nor did BEIS act on the deficiencies which that Trial identified.
I've never seen that Report being cited as evidence for any category of heat-pump installation work - good or bad.