Power supply
ASHPs have a PCB just like a computer. And they can also be damaged by a "spikey" mains electrical supply.
This has been my experience living in a rural area where power cuts (from a few seconds to a few hours) are not uncommon and the supply generally suffers surges.
After 4 years of operation the PCB in my pump packed up. It required a £650 replacement.
I have now fitted a surge suppressor at the fuse board. This protects the entire house (although doesn't prevent power cuts).
It was under £200 to have the work done. Astonishingly these are still only recommended, not required, by the building regulations when the wiring is put in a house.
I'd strongly recommend you fit one if you have a heat pump. It will protect it and any other sensitive electronics in your home.
Grant Aerona HPID10 10kWh ASHP
Thanks for the tip Mike. I’ll look into this. As for building regs, they’re all over the place, and a lot of stuff doesn’t make sense.
Buy Bodge Buster – Homeowner Air Source Heat Pump Installation Guide: https://amzn.to/3NVndlU
From Zero to Heat Pump Hero: https://amzn.to/4bWkPFb
Subscribe and follow our Homeowners’ Q&A heat pump podcast
One of the first questions ASHP installers check, is your electric supply. I am lucky to have a home built in 2001, rural, with a step down transformer on the small Estate where I live, an underground supply and a 100A circuit to my home.
I was not aware of the issue Mike P raises on this post, but will enquire. Power cuts are a very rare thing now, compared to when I first moved here 20 years ago and power would go off every few months, for hours. Sorted when they put a new cable in back to the mains distribution network to the Estate.
But I would recommend anyone considering an ASHP to open their meter cupboard and check the supply fuse - 60, 80 or 100A? Or you may be lucky have a 3 phase circuit in the UK. But older properties in towns/cities could even have shared lines - 60A between two properties. This will potentially prevent you having an ASHP or an EV charge point. Your DNO will need to upgrade the circuit. I would hope not at your cost.
Daikin Altherma 3H HT 12kWh ASHP with Mixergy h/w cylinder; 4kW solar PV with Solic 200 electric diverter; Honda e and new Hyundai Ioniq 5 N electric vehicles with Myenergi Zappi mk1 charger
We also fitted a surge protector on the main board at the recommendation of the plumber working on our extension as he worked on a job where someone had a large repair bill from an electrical surge damaging their ASHP system.
Mitsubishi Ecodan 14kw ASHP + 500l Cylinder
Posted by: @juliancBut I would recommend anyone considering an ASHP to open their meter cupboard and check the supply fuse - 60, 80 or 100A? Or you may be lucky have a 3 phase circuit in the UK. But older properties in towns/cities could even have shared lines - 60A between two properties. This will potentially prevent you having an ASHP or an EV charge point. Your DNO will need to upgrade the circuit. I would hope not at your cost.
A caveat that most houses have a maximum 100A cutout (fuse) carrier but it doesn't tell you what fuse is inside. There may be a note on it indicating what's inside, or there may not. Only an electrician (and technically only the DNO) can pull the fuse to check (the fuse has DNO seals and the person pulling it is supposed to wear specific arc flash PPE).
If you're on a 60A or 80A fuse the DNO may upgrade for free if the cabling is up to scratch, but may charge if remedial works are needed to your meter tails or to the incoming cable. First port of call is the DNO who can come out and advise.
Prunus is absolutely right. I’m ONLY looking in the meter cupboard and reading the label. Get a qualified electrician or as you say - DNO very helpful, and responsive in Worcestershire to confirm.
Daikin Altherma 3H HT 12kWh ASHP with Mixergy h/w cylinder; 4kW solar PV with Solic 200 electric diverter; Honda e and new Hyundai Ioniq 5 N electric vehicles with Myenergi Zappi mk1 charger
- 22 Forums
- 2,049 Topics
- 44.7 K Posts
- 36 Online
- 3,277 Members
Join Us!
Trusted Installers
Struggling to find a reliable heat pump installer? A poor installation can lead to inefficiencies and high running costs. We now connect homeowners with top-rated installers who deliver quality work and excellent service.
✅ Verified, trusted & experienced installers
✅ Nationwide coverage expanding
✅ Special offers available
Latest Posts
-
RE: Hydronic plinth heaters and ASHPs
@jamespa we should be ok as the model I'm looking at ha...
By benson , 1 hour ago
-
RE: Renewables & Heat Pumps in the News
Let me add two other points to what @lucia has just pos...
By Transparent , 2 hours ago
-
RE: Yes, the "zoning with ASHP" topic again...
@harryrea I agree entirely with the concept of zoning ...
By Heatgeek , 3 hours ago
-
RE: Help optimising my system!
@wh0am3ye you’re absolutely right that what you’re seei...
By Mars , 4 hours ago
-
RE: Additional Battery v Wind Turbine v Ripple
There was a call today for Ripple investors and amongst...
By Judith , 20 hours ago
-
@heatgeek I kind of get it… but aren’t you still in the...
By SUNandAIR , 22 hours ago
-
-
RE: Commencing on an ASHP Installation Process
I think you may very well be right and of course A2A ca...
By JamesPa , 2 days ago
-
-
RE: Agile: average import cost vs other tariffs?
@old_scientist We are with SSEN and our G99 application...
By Toodles , 3 days ago
-
RE: Solar Power Output – Let’s Compare Generation Figures
Yes. Storing the solar generation within the home is gr...
By Transparent , 3 days ago
-
RE: ASHP Ecodan L9 error - No Heating but Hot Water
@phoenix15, @heacol cover your area… I’d strongly recom...
By Mars , 3 days ago
-
RE: Warm weather and heat pumps.
@editor Oh nothing right now because $ needed for struc...
By Lucia , 4 days ago
-
RE: Potentially more choice including air to air heat pump grants
@jeff Such documents are far too wordy for my ‘daily re...
By Toodles , 4 days ago
-
RE: Getting the best out of a heat pump - is Homely a possible answer?
@grahaml I cannot agree that it is a small percentage o...
By benson , 5 days ago
-
RE: Samsung Gen6 16kW tribulations
@emceed, can you please give us an update on your syste...
By Mars , 6 days ago
-
What's the problem you are trying to solve. The answer...
By JamesPa , 1 week ago
-
Good luck. For what it is worth my system was very def...
By JamesPa , 1 week ago
-
RE: Massive Electricity Cost for Running My Air Source Heat Pump
I agree @mark-h The Building Regs are now very readable...
By Transparent , 1 week ago