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Starting Our Heat Pump Journey: 1962 build 3 bed detached house

Ian S · 2026-08-11T17:50:15Z

Hi We are just starting our heat pump journey, we have a 1962 build 3 bed detached house which has the usual large windows. We did a fair amount of upgrades done when we moved in 15 years ago, re wire, replacing an old floor standing gas boiler with numerous radiator changed from poor performing ones new hot water cylinder and moving to a sealed system, A classified double glazing etc. We have solar and 10kW battery storage and run 2 ev’s. We have had someone from ARIA to do the initial pitch, lots of videos, slideshows etc and an initial estimate subject to survey. Main concern is their design includes a buffer tank which seems a bit overkill and watching numerous YT videos question their use. Current recommendation is a 6kw outdoor unit and 250l cylinder. Heat Geek certified installer coming on Monday to do a survey so should get an idea of heat loss and a better idea on cost over initial online estimate. Did the initial online quote with Octopus, energy provider, requested a call but currently finding it impossible to get anyone to talk to me. Was hoping to get a rough idea of amount of energy used by their heat pumps to get an idea if it is worth increasing my solar battery storage. Looking for any recommendations for the Reading area for us to consider as it looks like we won’t be having Octopus through the door now. Sorry for the long intro. Cheers Ian

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Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs)

Last Post by JamesPa 4 minutes ago

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Ian S

(@ian-s)

Active Member Member

Joined: 1 month ago

Posts: 17

Topic starter 21/09/2026 12:37 pm

Looks like we will be going with Heat Geek, we will upgrade our 2 Type 11 radiators to Type 22 but will keep the 2 Type 21’s in our bedroom. The bigger item think is do we upgrade our 15 year old 180l slim water cylinder for the Vaillant uniSTOR PURE 175l Slim, 20% increase in efficiency but an extra £1650.00.

Any advice from people who did and didn’t change their hot water cylinder.

Cheers

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JamesPa

(@jamespa)

Illustrious Member Moderator

Joined: 3 years ago

Posts: 5449

21/09/2026 12:41 pm

Posted by: @ian-s

↑

Any advice from people who did and didn’t change their hot water cylinder.

I upgraded mine but only because it was vented.

Had it been unvented I would not have bothered, the payback time is too long for the very small amount of DHW we use, particularly as we heat at night on electricity costing 8p/kWh, so less than 4p/kWh delivered.

This post was modified 3 minutes ago by JamesPa

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.

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