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!
Heat distribution in the home
I read that best practice for domestic heat pumps is to operate a 'slow and steady' regime, running 24/7 and with no TRVs. Heat delivery to different rooms in the property being balanced by careful adjustment of UFH valves and radiator lockshield valves. I can imagine that the difficulty in optimisation will depend on the extent of room compartmentalisation, as opposed to an open-plan living arrangement. I am concerned by the potential effects that I would be likely to experience with my kitchen/diner and lounge, both of which have large expanses of glass on the east-facing walls. When the sun appears they warm up very quickly. Perhaps Air to Air heat pumps would offer a better solution (although my wife would be sensitive to any fan noise).
Solar gain is definitely a control issue irrespective of the heat source. I have a south facing patio window in the room we spend most time in, and it does overheat a bit whatever I do when the sun comes out in winter.
The accepted solution with an ASHP seems to be to fit TRVs set a degree or two above the desired temperature, so they act as temperature limiters not temperature controllers. This shouldn't adversely affect COP because, when they do kick in, all rooms are still being heated by one means or another, so you are not suffering the problem that a small emitter area is being used to heat a larger area of the house than it was designed for (which means you have to increase flow temperature to compensate - the mechanism by which COP is reduced if you only heat part of the house).
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.
- 26 Forums
- 2,676 Topics
- 62.6 K Posts
- 250 Online
- 7,090 Members
Join Us!
Installer Finder
Degrees of Separation
Latest Posts
-
Harvest Thermal - ASHP with a smart thermal battery
I thought people here might find this interesting, even...
By springswood , 40 minutes ago
-
RE: Heat pump installation quotations
@batpred The only draughty place is in the living ro...
By sttpd1917 , 59 minutes ago
-
Don't you dare. You just carry on as you are; as @batpr...
By Majordennisbloodnok , 1 hour ago
-
RE: Heat pump design review please: 5 kW Vaillant aroTHERM Plus heat pump
@ragtime27 some rooms in our house only have one place ...
By Judith , 1 hour ago
-
RE: Help me keep the faith with my air source heat pump installation
I didn't know about those, they look like good pieces o...
By JamesPa , 4 hours ago
-
@mkz, that's very helpful. Even if Urban Plumber are no...
By Majordennisbloodnok , 5 hours ago
-
RE: Several AC coupled batteries
That is a good point, a manufacturers can stop trading,...
By Batpred , 5 hours ago
-
My first question is why bother with the auto balancin...
By JamesPa , 6 hours ago
-
RE: Indevolt Batteries UK Support & Info Thread
Hi @hanno - good question. The range of hybrid invert...
By Transparent , 6 hours ago
-
RE: GivEnergy inverter tripping due to over-voltage?
@transparent the inverter was installed in 2021 and afa...
By Tim441 , 6 hours ago
-
I share the same experience as @majordennisbloodnok hav...
By Old_Scientist , 7 hours ago
-
RE: Say hello and introduce yourself
I hope so, @toodles. It's not often that we see a situa...
By Majordennisbloodnok , 10 hours ago
-
RE: Electricity price predictions
Good point, I do expect the bonus of putting my energy ...
By Batpred , 1 day ago
-
RE: Daikin ESPAltherma and Home Assistant installation
@bash, something we haven't touched on already relates ...
By Majordennisbloodnok , 1 day ago




