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!
Hi everyone, i am a new member Deekie, with a 5kW Ecodan (FTC5) ASHP at a small bungalow on the west coast of Scotland. My system is about 4yrs old, is very reliable and by experimenting with my own settings i think i have it running as efficiently as i can. Although it always reports a relatively poor COP (2 to 2.5 ave) i think that may just be a reporting problem, as i am quite happy with the system overall and the electricity savings are huge over other systems i have had in my previous homes.
I have two goals; improve its efficiancy and add enough solar & batteries to take the ASHP completely off-grid.
Cheers, Deekie :o)
@deekie Having enough solar power to keep any ASHP provided with power without resorting to the grid is a lovely thought, though I doubt possible! At the very time when the most heat from the heat pump is required, the solar energy available is at its’ least; (November - February approx) therefore, also the time when the solar PV is least productive. I don’t think battery storage would provide more than day to day buffering - even if you have say 30 kW/h capacity storage available. I have only experienced a late winter with an ASHP as yet as it was not commissioned until the 19th. February, 2023 so next winter is going to be my first real experience of trying to supply all the power required at the lowest cost. With 27 kW/h of storage and 8.1 kWp of PV (which is likely to provide approx. 150 kW/h in the month of January for example) my hope is that I’ll be able to fully charge the Powerwalls at cheapest rates twice a day and have any contributions from the PV to top this up and by this means, keep the ASHP plus other house loads (including DHW) running at lowest charges possible. I am with Octopus Energy using Agile plus fixed export tariff suring the summer. I hope to have built up a ‘buffer’ by the winter from all the expotted excess. Regards, Toodles.
Toodles, heats his home with cold draughts and cooks food with magnets.
Hi Everyone
I’m Gill and like Deekie, I too am on the West coast of Scotland.
We had an ASHP installed recently to replace our failing Oil central heating.
It appears to be working fine, we are certainly toasty, but I want to ensure we are getting the maximum efficiency from it. Hence me joining this forum to seek further information. Once I have finished this introduction I will explore the site and see who else has the same model as us.
Ours is a Grant Aerona, HPID17R32
Our installation was impressive. It was completed in a week including removing and disposal of the old system. We had new radiators throughout, new and larger cylinder and the pump placed inconspicuously at the end of the house. The team of installers were thorough and incredibly neat and tidy. We were well impressed, and also pleased that we were able to use a local company.
- 26 Forums
- 2,590 Topics
- 60.3 K Posts
- 272 Online
- 6,922 Members
Join Us!
Worth Watching
Latest Posts
-
RE: Octopus Cosy Heat Pump Owners & Discussion Thread
Our Cosy 9 has been in hush mode for three days. So far...
By KevH , 2 hours ago
-
RE: Rate the quality of your heat pump design and installation
I had a Worcester Bosch compress 2000 fitted March 2026...
By Josejo , 3 hours ago
-
RE: Air-to-air heat pumps - best models and installers
Are you creating a whole new category for A2A?
By ASHP-BOBBA , 6 hours 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 , 18 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 , 20 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 , 20 hours ago
-
RE: Forum updates, announcements & issues
Thank you Mars for all your dedication to improvements;...
By Toodles , 23 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 , 1 day 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 , 1 day ago
-
No buffer or low loss header Grant controller in sens...
By JamesPa , 2 days 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 , 2 days 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 , 3 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 , 3 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


