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!
using back boiler & ASHP
Hi there, I am wondering if anyone here has experience of using a back boiler with an ASHP and electric boiler? I am currently planning a significant extension of my 1860 cottage. It has no central heating at the moment, just running off electric radiators and a (eco) wood burner and open fire to heat the house in winter, and an electric storage tank heater for hot water (which I barely have on as dont use much).
The new build is an opportunity to install a proper wet central heating system (at least in the new part of the house), and have hot water on tap, which would be nice.
My thinking at the moment is to fit an electric combi boiler and plumb in to the existing pipe system, and using an ASHP to do the majority of the heating and then electric boiler if it starts to struggle in the cold.
Im also interested in the possibility of adding a back boiler to my incredibly hot wood burner, and adding this into the mix to help heat in the winter as we will likely to continue to use the wood burner to heat the old part of the house, as there are no radiators or pipes in there. Just wondered if anyone has experience of using these together, and if this sounds like a good idea? Im aware that its probably a lot of cost upfront (although its a 2 storey extension so in the context of the build its not as scary) , so im also considering just doing the ASHP + boiler, or possibly just the back boiler + boiler for now, but leaving the option open to add the other later.
Thanks so much, Lewy
@lewyh, welcome to the forums. We have a bivalent, hybrid system where we retained the oil boiler to work alongside the heat pump. The oil kicks in when the heat pump is really struggling on ir defrost cycles. It works pretty well - please let me know if you have specific questions about the set up.
Get a copy of The Ultimate Guide to Heat Pumps
Subscribe and follow our YouTube channel!
- 26 Forums
- 2,590 Topics
- 60.3 K Posts
- 285 Online
- 6,922 Members
Join Us!
Worth Watching
Latest Posts
-
RE: Octopus Cosy Heat Pump Owners & Discussion Thread
Hush mode now released. I've not tried it yet. Should b...
By swwils , 22 minutes ago
-
RE: Air-to-air heat pumps - best models and installers
Are you creating a whole new category for A2A?
By ASHP-BOBBA , 30 minutes ago
-
RE: A2A vs A2W: Which Heat Pump Would You Pick?
There isn’t as far as I know, @djh, but you’re welcome ...
By Majordennisbloodnok , 13 hours ago
-
RE: Can anyone explain the following behaviour with a Grant Aerona 3 R30 / Smart Controller?
Final Update. Yesterday, I was going through the moti...
By Unsure , 14 hours ago
-
RE: How much can an east/west solar solar system be oversized?
Best performance occurs with PV string near inverter no...
By bobflux , 14 hours ago
-
RE: Forum updates, announcements & issues
Thank you Mars for all your dedication to improvements;...
By Toodles , 17 hours ago
-
RE: Who do I complain to about a poor ECO4 installation, can anyone advise?
Take it one step at a time. If you can get the dhw and...
By JamesPa , 23 hours ago
-
RE: Selling 2 x Kensa Shoebox 7kw GSHP (New)
Hi Jain, we’ve got an ashp so I’m afraid we won’t be yo...
By Judith , 24 hours ago
-
No buffer or low loss header Grant controller in sens...
By JamesPa , 1 day ago
-
RE: Are We Sleepwalking Into Another Race to the Bottom?
That's an amazing job to get all that in there! A truly...
By Batpred , 1 day ago
-
RE: Anyone concerned about GivEnergy?
Thanks for your advice - I'll keep trying with the inst...
By JohnDwyer , 2 days ago
-
RE: Plug and play solar. Thoughts?
I am also yet to find a case where an installation that...
By Batpred , 2 days ago
-
RE: British Gas vs Octopus Energy vs Heat Geek vs EDF vs Aira vs OVO vs EON.Next vs Boxt
This is what I got from OVO. At least it was quick.. ...
By Batpred , 2 days ago
-
RE: IVT greenline HT Plus E - Circulation Pump Constantly On
Welcome to the forums. Irrespective of which brand yo...
By Mars , 2 days ago
-
RE: 7.5kW Heat Loss, But Quoted a 10kW Midea. No Re-Pipe, No Buffer Tank. Does This Add Up?
Oh, how I love these old scientists!I'm in with your 5 ...
By LeJamaisContent , 2 days ago
-
RE: Jokes and fun posts about heat pumps and renewables
@jamespa Someone who is not easily phased I suppose.
By Toodles , 3 days ago
-
@downfield Once OE had removed our gas meter and capped...
By Toodles , 3 days ago
-
Living with a Low Loss Header (Or Measure For Measure, it’s All About the Pump)
I know, low loss headers (LLHs) aren’t necessarily ‘low...
By Toodles , 3 days ago
-
RE: What is the main ‘dictator’ of Agile’s unit price?
After seeing umpteen negative price slots again today, ...
By ChandyKris , 3 days ago
-
RE: The Reality Behind a Failed Heat Pump Installation – and an IWA Insurance Rejection
@ian-w Getting back to the problem in hand, what do yo...
By JamesPa , 3 days ago
-
RE: Solar Power Output – Let’s Compare Generation Figures
@papahuhu Generally, I leave Homely to take care of mat...
By Toodles , 4 days ago
-
@judith, glad you found the story interesting. On eff...
By Mars , 4 days ago



