@tomasmcguinness 

hi Tom 

Ive done it twice successfully. Both 5kW models. 

Check out Glyn Hudson on YouTube for some informative video’s 

Mark

Amazing. I've read the link on your profile!!

I've looked at Glyn's video. That is kinda what has inspired me!

@tomasmcguinness 

it’s definitely doable for a competent diyer. I followed Glyns video for the second one. The first was a Mitsubishi Ecodan 15 years ago and I followed the manual. 

I turned down the gas combi to get an idea of what needed to be changed to suit low temperature heating. There are details in my blog. 

Mark

@tomasmcguinness 

I did my own, all of it bar the electrics. If you are a competent DIY plumber , and take the time to read lots of design advice, its perfectly do-able. Glyn's video also inspired me and gave me a lot of pointers.

I wrote a bit of an article about it if you wade through the "articles" section on the front page of the website, go back to march 23.

I've been playing with my boiler's flow temp and at -5 a 40 degree flow (dT of about 6) was enough to keep the house at about 20, so I'm very confident what with a few tweaks, my existing heating system will work.

Thanks for the answers @bontwoody and @iancalderbank 

Posted by: @tomasmcguinness

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Hi,

I've been pondering self installing a heat pump, mostly for the challenge and experience.

Had anyone done something similar? What has your experience been like?

Thanks, 

Tom

Just bear in mind that permitted development rights apply only to installations by an MCS contractor to MCS standards (a closed shop by regulation which, IMHO, is absolutely scandalous.  Worse still it is MCS themselves that wrote the requirement in). 

Thus a self install strictly needs express planning consent.  Of course, if nobody is likely to complain, you may well choose to ignore this.

@jamespa I was wondering if you might say this 🙂 . those who've self installed have , generally speaking, installed in such a way that is compliant to the numbers that exist in those "MCS" standards. And been very aware of noise to neighbours , etc, such that complaints would not ever become an issue. In that situation it then becomes a case of if you don't mention it they won't ask.

the only people you really have to tell are DNO.

Posted by: @iancalderbank

↑

@jamespa I was wondering if you might say this 🙂 . those who've self installed have , generally speaking, installed in such a way that is compliant to the numbers that exist in those "MCS" standards. And been very aware of noise to neighbours , etc, such that complaints would not ever become an issue. In that situation it then becomes a case of if you don't mention it they won't ask.

the only people you really have to tell are DNO.

Hence why I added 'Of course, if nobody is likely to complain, you may well choose to ignore this.'

Lots of minor developments are done which need planning consent but it is not requested, and as long as nobody complains its not a problem.  However if someone does complain its much easier for the LPA to enforce on planning grounds than it is on environmental health grounds, so that is almost certainly what they would seek to do.

Also bear in mind that LPAs may impose different requirements on requests for express consent than those that apply to PD.  Thus in principle you could install fully to PD standards (but without MCS), your neighbour could complain about something, and your LPA could say - well it may meet the PD rules (except for MCS) but that's not relevant, because (for example) our noise requirement is 12dB more severe (which is precisely the stance my LPA takes).

If you are a developer planning to undertake a development without permission, its better to make an informed decision!  Im not saying don't do it, just be aware of the risks.  Its a completely crazy situation!

I'd be included to look for planning I think. Even if I went down the MCS route, I wouldn't fall under permitted development anyway, as I'm probably be putting the heat pump in along the boundary. Distance to the existing back of my neighbour's house would probably be a few metres. Their garden is also 1m higher than mine, so the retaining wall would block some of the sound. 

Getting a sound survey done has been on the back of mind for a long time, but I think that particular planning regulation is under review, so it's possible it will be changed. 

@tomasmcguinness

"at -5 a 40 degree flow (dT of about 6) was enough to keep the house at about 20"

Sounds like a perfect candidate then 🙂

@jamespa I registered just to reply!

I have to agree about scandalous! I've been researching this for a blog post I have done and noted, like you, that MCS wrote, and maintain the standard requiring MCS accreditation that is the key part of the Government legislation related to planning development for ASHPs: 

Development is not permitted by Class G unless the air source heat pump complies with the MCS Planning Standards or equivalent standards.

There rider is of course 'equivalent standards'. It's rather ambiguous because it isn't defined. However, it should however be possible to not use an MCS accredited installer and do Permitted Development by working to the standards they describe in MCS 020 - regarding product, installation standard and noise. Surely that would be 'equivalent standards'.

You've hit the nail on the head though - if someone was to complain then it's down to the local planning office to decide if you followed the PD rules. And how much time and effort they put into that decision is an unknown.

If someone wants to take this route, then perhaps a way forward is to try to talk to the local planning office first and explain what you want to do?