gryffron wrote:dspp wrote:ASHP designed to deliver 'full' heating in such circumstances become pure electrical heaters, i.e. the heat pump part of the kit becomes useless. So for (say) 364 days of the year they get the benefit of a CoP that is (say) 3:1, and for (say) one day of the year they operate with a CoP of 1:1.
Do they actually have a heater element? Oh, are you saying some systems do?
But it is sub 5degC many cold winter mornings. Even today with global warming et al. So it is certainly not going to be operating at full efficiency for 364 days of the year. Or even close. And the times when you need most heating it is least efficient.
Gryff - definitely sticking with gas, for now.
I totally agree with you sticking to gas now - and for the foreseeable future. Air source heating is not for everyone but in the right circumstances (and there are a lot of those) it is very sensible to install it. Where there is no gas (as in darkest rural Norfolk for example) and where night storage heaters are used are two examples. I have saved enormous amounts of electricity and oil by installing these - and have been warmer because they circulate the air so your feet are warm.
CO2 reduction is not about one size fits all or one solution - it is really about finding a plethora of different things in different circumstances that will make a difference to what carbon dioxide you produce. And the enemy of this aim is waiting to find the best or perfect solution.
with kind regards - ~ BBB
PS look at this link which shows you can get equipment that will work well at lower temperatures but that will cost more money to install : look for the heading "in cold climates"