88V8 wrote:AF62 wrote:Didn’t I mention, they are aircon units.
Arrgh.
One of the positives in the UK as regards energy usage has been the absence of aircon in the average home.
Once people realise that these can cool as well as heat, that will prompt a huge increase in our summertime energy usage.
Great!
Not....
V8
There is a huge amount of misinformation and misunderstanding circulating about heat pumps.
Yes the cheapo air-to-air heat pumps which cost a £k or two or three can often do cooling, but they can't heat your hot water so not many people want them.
The more sophisticated air-to-water type will heat a hot water tank but need bigger radiators as they rarely heat water to more than about 55C, and gas CH rads everyone has already fitted are generally sized to work with 80C water.
In addition, lots of houses have combi boilers and heat pumps don't have the power to work like combis. A hot water cylinder is mandatory and lots of combi owners are going to be highly resistant to this!
Finally the gear that needs installing for an air-to-water heat pump is HUGE. Here is a pic of the newest offering from Worcester:
(Slightly misleading photo as a big thing on the right like a washing machine goes in your garden, not inside your house.)