Last seen: Jan 20, 2025
About Me
Mechanical (Rotating Equipment) Engineer by trade.
Took a few years off to build my own house, wasn't getting what I wanted from builders so chose to actually build myself. Ended with a low energy input house and have learnt a lot on the way.
Key finding - when you start doing low flow temperature heating systems (gas or heat pump) the norms and convention do not apply and fights against you. Low temp heating systems require a higher flow rate, anything that hinders that, gets in the way.
Started with a thermostat in every room, actuator on every UFH loop, UFH mixing valve and pump. Then added a two port buffer to help, changed mixing valve on UFH to help cope. Nothing really made a difference until I simplified.
Then the light bulb moment - everything not required (thermostats, actuators, mixing valves, additional pumps, buffer) were all removed. If I had known at the start would have saved loads of money on parts and unnecessarily high heating bills. Over two heating seasons halved gas bill. Then installed ASHP, battery and more PV and reduced by a 1/3 again.
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Maxa i32V5 6kW ASHP (heat and cooling)
6.5kW PV
13.5kW GivEnergy AIO Battery.
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Heat Pump Dramas?
Thinking about installing a heat pump but unsure where to start? Already have one but it’s not performing as expected? Or are you locked in a frustrating dispute with an installer or manufacturer? We’re here to help.
✅ Pre-Installation Planning
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Latest Posts
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SolarPV tables / online calculator
Is there some table or an online calculator that I can ...
By MichelleC , 2 hours ago
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RE: Newbie out of her depth – Samsung AE120RXYDEG 12kW heat pump
Same here @jamespa - we have a 12kW Samsung ASHP, solar...
By Old_Scientist , 4 hours ago
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RE: Samsung Gen 7 R290 12kW is not behaving how I expected
Yes, that sounds correct. I would say try both options...
By Old_Scientist , 5 hours ago
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RE: F.788 Building circuit pump reports internal fault - Vaillant Arotherm
Guess I have to wait for engineer visit. I really hope ...
By jeegnesh , 6 hours ago
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RE: Setback savings - fact or fiction?
The great thing about science is that it doesn't care o...
By JamesPa , 7 hours ago
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RE: Act now to defer the UK road tax increase on EVs
@majordennisbloodnok Damn right sir. my attempt at iron...
By Jancold , 9 hours ago
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RE: ASHP and heating issues in new build house
That’s good gives you more capacity. It made me think, ...
By Terry1812 , 10 hours ago
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RE: Seewet manhole cover within r290 exclusion zone
Thanks! I asked Vaillant, and they say I should be fi...
By dbrb2 , 13 hours ago
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Looking for the Grant Aerona 3 setting to turn off completely at 20 OAT
I'm running my Aerona 3 on WC and the 'warm end of that...
By damonc , 14 hours ago
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RE: Do I just go with the lowest quote for my heat pump?
So after signing in Sept in two weeks the install may s...
By Jancold , 15 hours ago
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RE: Victorian Semi Retrofit / Extension ASHP and UFH Advice
When you are renovating is always a good time, as it ma...
By JamesPa , 18 hours ago
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RE: Just one room not reaching desired temperature
Looks like this issue is now resolved. Aira installed a...
By ChandyKris , 19 hours ago
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There have been several people on the OpenEnergyMonitor...
By RobS , 1 day ago
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RE: Say hello and introduce yourself
Good point @jamespa But that probably strengthens @ch...
By Transparent , 1 day ago
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RE: Towel rails. An unexpected final hurdle
@jamespa Beware; the use of the term ‘WC’ might lead to...
By Toodles , 1 day ago
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RE: Visit a Heat Pump sessions.
Congratulations @toodles, that's a fantastic result. We...
By Old_Scientist , 1 day ago
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RE: Baxi Air Source Heat Pump tips and tricks please
@cathyem1 - thanks for the update. Let us know how it g...
By cathodeRay , 2 days ago
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RE: Low COP and unevenly heated rooms with 12kW Samsung AE120MXTPEH / AE260TNWTEH
@editor But do you wear your peaked cap the right way r...
By Toodles , 2 days ago
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RE: Who's your electricity provider and what's your tariff?
I’d be interested to hear the feedback and consensus on...
By Mars , 2 days ago
Latest Topics
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SolarPV tables / online calculator
By MichelleC 2 hours ago
-
Samsung Gen 7 R290 12kW is not behaving how I expected
By Joshua 14 hours ago
-
Newbie out of her depth – Samsung AE120RXYDEG 12kW heat pump
By BAMi 16 hours ago
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By Toodles 1 day ago
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Solid manhole cover within r290 exclusion zone
By dbrb2 2 days ago
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Towel rails. An unexpected final hurdle
By Davesoa 2 days ago
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By big_si 2 days ago