01 — Common problems
What's worth knowing about air-source heat pumps.
What people usually ask before taking the step, and what happens when a unit that's already installed doesn't perform well.
It depends on the insulation, the type of heat emitters (radiators, underfloor heating or fan coils) and how much heating and hot water you use.
In the meantime · Keep a couple of winter gas or electricity bills to hand; they help work out the savings.
The existing installation can often be reused, but you need to check whether the radiators can work at a lower temperature.
In the meantime · Take photos of your current boiler, of a radiator and of the outdoor space available.
It's usually badly adjusted temperature settings, a unit that's too small for the home, or low flow in the system.
In the meantime · Note the temperature it's set to and which rooms feel cold.
Noises usually come from brackets that aren't sitting properly, or from a spot where the sound bounces off nearby walls.
In the meantime · Record a short video of the noise; it helps tell whether it's normal or not.
Poor programming, the electric backup running more than it should, or very high flow temperatures make consumption shoot up.
In the meantime · If your unit has an app or a display showing consumption, take screenshots of the last few weeks.
A heat pump runs on electricity, so it goes well with generating your own power: your roof can produce part of what it uses.
In the meantime · If you already have panels, note the installed capacity shown in the paperwork.