we do not have a smart meter for Gas (no signal as live within a conservation area) despite Octopus Energy changing our gas meter three times in last couple of years

That doesn't sound 'right' to me.

The national Smart Meter Network doesn't work like that!

Within urban areas each Smart Meter has a SKU1 Communications Hub bolted on top of the Electricity Smart Meter Equipment (ESME). That does indeed need to have direct access to a telecommunications mast.

As you get into rural areas in South and Central Britain, SKU2 Comms Hubs are installed.

They have a secondary frequency which used to form a Mesh Network with other SMETS2 meters.
Depending on the terrain, that Mesh port might have an external aerial.
The Mesh forms automatically once four or more SKU2 hubs are 'found', and can extend over tens of square kilometers.

The SKU2 specification and Mesh Networking are defined in the original SMETS2 documentation, approved by Parliament in Nov 2014.

There are still some 30,000 properties which can never connect to the Smart Meter Network via Telefonica or Arqiva technology.

Over a year ago, the SEC (who regulate the system) approved a new firmware which could use household WiFi to make the Wide Area Network (WAN) connection.
It's still heavily protected by cyber security and encryption, and the data-path can only be accessed by DCC.

If you happen to live in such a house, then Octopus should be able to install that type of Smart Meter.

I suggest you email them, and provide a link to this post from me.

No it doesnt.  I have had this problem of duplicated posting before, most frustrating.

I have provided Warmur with all the details the architect specified as our house was used as a case study for retrofit. It is 5 bedrooms with quite a large ground floor extension. 

Sounds good.

Please forgive my cynicism but I have learned, both in a personal and business context, not to trust anyone in any part of the construction industry (of which I consider the heating industry a subset) until they have demonstrated that they are trustworthy.  There are excellent people out there, but also some scammers and some plain incompetents.  It is, at least in my limited experience, impossible to tell from the sales pitch.  Hence the reason for my questions.  I don't know Warmur and they haven't been mentioned here up till now and they may well be excellent.  Just saying.

hi,

Those figures are estimated from my Octopus bills. Our cash costs are reasonable at £1900 for Gas and £1500 approximately for electricity. 

I have provided Warmur with all the details the architect specified as our house was used as a case study for retrofit. It is 5 bedrooms with quite a large ground floor extension. 

not all the time we are away is in winter…

but we do keep the house at a constant 22 degrees late autumn though to spring

thanks for your reply. We are with Octopus Energy and from what I can see via the app/ bills etc is that we use around 28,300 kWh per year for Gas and a further 5,500 kWh for electric. We are also away for around 4 months of the year when we keep the minimum on to avoid frozen pipes etc.

unfortunately we do not have a smart meter for Gas (no signal as live within a conservation area) despite Octopus Energy changing our gas meter three times in last couple of years so only manual meter readings when I remember to submit them.

in terms of installers Warmur have a network of installers that they work with across the UK. But you are not under any obligation to use their installers.

warmur.co.uk

i have had one company provide a quote etc for solar panels and battery who are on the Trusted Partner list from Octopus Energy, but at the time of meeting a month ago we had not yet decided on moving over to ASHP so that was left open to a future conversation.

Wow, thats nearly double the energy use I was expecting given your description of its construction.  Whats the floor area of the house, it must be rather large. 

28,300 kWh/annum suggests more like 10-12kW, probably rather more if the 4 months are during winter.  You may get some bizarre quotes at this level which will need a bit of careful analysis.  It might be challenging to get some installers to take into account the fabric improvements they cant see unless you have proof they exist.  Please feel free to ask more questions.

thanks for your reply. We are with Octopus Energy and from what I can see via the app/ bills etc is that we use around 28,300 kWh per year for Gas and a further 5,500 kWh for electric. We are also away for around 4 months of the year when we keep the minimum on to avoid frozen pipes etc.

unfortunately we do not have a smart meter for Gas (no signal as live within a conservation area) despite Octopus Energy changing our gas meter three times in last couple of years so only manual meter readings when I remember to submit them.

in terms of installers Warmur have a network of installers that they work with across the UK. But you are not under any obligation to use their installers.

warmur.co.uk

i have had one company provide a quote etc for solar panels and battery who are on the Trusted Partner list from Octopus Energy, but at the time of meeting a month ago we had not yet decided on moving over to ASHP so that was left open to a future conversation.

We have commissioned Warmur to undertake a full survey and design for a new system, they use a 3D home scanning system plus detailed analysis of existing energy conservation strategies to build what they call a ‘Warmur Passport’. The idea is to give the house owner confidence in the design of a whole new integrated system, prior to appointing an installer, and for the calculations included in the Warmur Passport to give any installer confidence too.

Welsome to the forums, you have come to the right place.  Feel free to ask any question, there is no such thing as a stupid one.  Can I suggest you read this introduction to ASHPs.

If the detailed analysis involves taking into account existing energy consumption then its a good idea.  Surveys, while necessary, are whatiffery and can be a factor of 2 out.  Measured consumption gives a sense check. and if the two differ markedly then the reason should be established.  

My question is, will another installer accept the Warmur measurements, frankly I have never heard of an installer accepting a survey done by another.  That doesn't mean that it never happens, but there are liability issues which seem to prevent it.  Before you spend any money on some independent survey, check.

Whats your annual gas consumption.  Do you have half hourly meter readings.  Either (or preferably both) of these will give a pretty good estimate of the house loss.  Im guessing from your description its well under 5kW so you will be looking at a 5/6kW ASHP (they dont come much smaller).

My advice is to upsize the rads if necessary to run at same temp as UFH.  Do not plan mixing.  Also plan to use no external controls, and do not entertain any installer who wants to fit a buffer (note that a volumiser is fine).

hi, we live in Dulwich, SE London in an Edwardian semi detached property. Purchased in 2011 a whole house refurbishment was undertaken prior to moving in late 2012. Effectively a ‘new build’ within the skin of a period property. All external walls had internal 44mm insulation added plus all new sash windows and external doors (double glazed) installed along with a ground floor extension including structural glass. All ground floor plus master suite on first floor and 3 further bathrooms have under floor heating. Remaining bedrooms have (new then) radiators. Thermal solar panel on top floor flat roof also, a conventional Veismann boiler was installed in 2012 too.

Now the plan is to move to electric supply for hot water, heating and EV car charger. So PV panels on 2 flat roofs (12-14) a battery and heat pump.

We have commissioned Warmur to undertake a full survey and design for a new system, they use a 3D home scanning system plus detailed analysis of existing energy conservation strategies to build what they call a ‘Warmur Passport’. The idea is to give the house owner confidence in the design of a whole new integrated system, prior to appointing an installer, and for the calculations included in the Warmur Passport to give any installer confidence too.

any thoughts on this?