How Much My Heat Pump Cost Me

[@mauriceegan8476]

My oil boiler is coming up on 25 years and my annual service guy last year told me it is on borrowed time. Heat pump is high on my list of replacements options so your videos are really helpful and pushing me towards the heat pump. Next task is to convince my wife.

[@typxxilps]

I had thought UK is the country of keep calm and carry on. Do not count the years and think about the end. It can last much longer than you think. We have a oild condensed boiler from 2000 mad by MAN. We even have upgraded the control unit and added wifi capability. Now we will add a heatpump on top - from China from a plant manudacturing for the german brands but way cheaper : 1850€ für 8 kW and 10€ more for 12 kW. The heatpump will feed straigt into the condensed oil boiler return flow and pump the waterhrough that burner. Works great, SCOP 4,2

[@UpsideDownFork]

For those on an oil boiler, a heat pump appears to be a no brainer. Getting rid of the tank and refills seems like a massive bonus on top of the running costs and emissions savings.

[@Jaw0lf]

I swapped from LPG to an ASHP a couple of years ago. Having a Tesla Powerwall I can store some cheap energy from overnight and use it to heat the home. Could never do that waith gas. I also looked at all my spening on the home as an investment in my home and had has reduced my outgoings massively, along with the EV and home charging. Merry Christmas!

[@UpsideDownFork]

Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas!

[@andrewcunningham1]

Thanks for a great year of fab videos. Detailed nerd filled yumminess. Keep them coming.

[@UpsideDownFork]

Glad you enjoy it! Merry Christmas

[@robvtrickey]

FYI - we went with Heat Geek. Our actual quote was considerably lower than the online estimate - about £6k less. The online calculator seems to be very approximate.

[@UpsideDownFork]

@@robvtrickey great feedback 👍 the online instant quotes are mostly based on your EPC.

[@Biggest-dh1vr]

​@@UpsideDownForkand the £6.5k you quote was with the full £7.5k grant?

[@gazebotree]

I had the British Gas surveyor come round in April 2024 and he told me that they as a policy will replace all the pipe works. I told him I had no interest in having the house ripped apart and send him on his way. In hindsight I should have let him carry on with the survey and waited until the organisation got over that craziness. Sounds to me like there are some internal battles going on at British Gas that are at the very least not helping the heat pump installation part of the business.

[@UpsideDownFork]

Yes, I think your assessment is a good one. Since my installation they have done some good head hunting and recruiting some top guys from manufacturers like Vaillant. Hopefully they're on a better track now. Thanks for watching! Merry Christmas

[@edwardpickering9006]

Herein lies the problem. The "one size fits all" approach to high volume by BG/Octopus etc doesn't work for everyone. I'll need a Heat Geek and an non MCS "compliant" install to avoid having to rip out everything in my new build sadly...

[@Pgutube]

Merry Christmas mate. Another fab video

[@UpsideDownFork]

Glad you enjoy it! Merry Christmas

[@DavidJones-ge1mn]

Great to hear about the stages of your journey.Enjoying your content👍

[@UpsideDownFork]

Glad you enjoy it! Merry Christmas

[@jamesmcfeely9150]

A useful insight to the process. We are in advanced stages of moving over with a couple of similar quotes. We haven't gotten a quote from British Gas though but perhaps we should have. I would be concerned about getting a response from them on any issues. We will probably go with the Heat Geek team as the assured nature of it does give us some comfort after all the online horror stories of bad installs and poorly heated homes. Our microbore pipework does seem to complicate matters but the contractors seem to be confident their designs will overcome it. Its that the makes us more likley to go down the Heat Geek route. They arent a large organisation like BG so, hopefully, if we need to contact them with issues we can. The downside for us with HG is the finance rate is expensive but it can be paid off at any time. For ease that suits us and means we dont have to find a large deposit just after Christmas. Thanks again for the videos.

[@UpsideDownFork]

Your thought processes are sound. Less risk with a heat geek assured 👍

[@philiponsolent7232]

I would have assumed that British Gas would be the most expensive, very surprised. My boiler is 8 years old just over mid life, so I am prevaricating but also aware that the grant could go anytime.

[@Biggest-dh1vr]

I can't see the grant going, in my opinion there isn't yet sufficient momentum behind heat pumps. They are a great way to reduce emissions.

[@UpsideDownFork]

I tend to agree. I think we've got several more years of the BUS grant or a version of it.

[@chrisholland4952]

I am two weeks into with my Vaillant ASHP and love it. If you are considering one do your research such as signing up here! I had a good price from Octopus but there assessment of 9kw h ASHP staggering. I went with a local company which fitted a 5kw H ( it will go up to 6) and touch wood, seems to spot on.

[@UpsideDownFork]

Great stuff! 😊 Merry Christmas

[@trailblazer7108]

Would you mind detailing the insulation and whether it’s worth it or not? BG don’t seem to service my area yet for ASHP ..

[@UpsideDownFork]

Perhaps this very early video will give you some idea of our installation. kzbin.info/www/bejne/roC4c5-Bid6hm9U Of course every house will be different and within BG, every team will be different. I have heard that they've head hunted a few very good people to oversee the heat pump department since we had ours installed. If you want a stress free experience, ours was anything but. We're happy with the final product but as you can see from the timeline, patience was needed. I still think it's tremendous value for money overall.

[@annamariaecolraine8281]

Very helpful.Thank you.

[@UpsideDownFork]

Thanks for watching! Merry Christmas

[@tonyt7402]

As the pink Friday 20% off deal is ending, I've just started with the octopus online quote and its just under £6000 for a 1990's 4 bed detached house. I don't know if they are trying to make up for the discount but it seems quite high. The octopus rep who called me was non committal about whether it would get any lower when I mentioned that I thought it would be a fairly easy install.

[@UpsideDownFork]

Their calculator is based on EPC which can be miles off what is necessary. Thanks for watching! Merry Christmas

[@johnhaydon4055]

Thank you for the information, I am crunching the numbers at the moment to install a 7-8kW HP on a diy basis, we already have a load of PV and battery storage and if I can make the boiler redundant that would be great. Just need to convince the Mrs to get rid of her old gas cooker and the bye bye meter and standing charge.

[@UpsideDownFork]

Good luck! Let me know how it goes with your installation!

[@timstephenson3341]

Thanks for the video. Your experience of B.G. was not quite mine however and certainly not their survey & quote. They are sending inexperienced people to site that are literally travelling hours to do surveys.

[@EverydayLife621]

I have an ASHP & MG4, solar & batteries, and yes it does save upto £500 in winter per month, but only because I’m on a cheap overnight electric tariff. Oil is still cheaper cost wise for heating (at around 6p/unit 24x7)

[@UpsideDownFork]

Thanks for commenting.

[@andrewdeans2179]

I had a similar experience with Scottish Power . The bill was 6 months after the installation. They were the cheapest option and their plumbers were great. Builder an electrician not so good . Plinth Heat pump stood on re done and electrical connections sorted to allow heat pump to use battery .

[@UpsideDownFork]

Thanks for watching! Merry Christmas

[@willeisinga2089]

Vaillant Heatpump good I have a LG Therma V Monoblock 9 KW 60 degrees. Hot Silent Cheap Easy. 3575 euro subsidie 3075. With Rooftop Solar no Energybill.

[@UpsideDownFork]

Thanks for commenting!

[@willeisinga2089]

@UpsideDownFork Thank you for your videos. Heatpumps are Super. A Monoblock can be placed Anywhere. LG Therma V R32 heat outlet 60 degrees. LG Therma V R290 heat outlet 80 degrees. Just connect to your existing CV radiators, connect Electricity and Thermostate. And up and running is your Heatpump House Heating. Rooftop Solar and Inductioncooking. I have it for 12 years and replaced the 12 year Old Heatpump also outlet 60 degrees by a new LG Therma V Monoblock 9 KW 60 degrees. Silent Hot Cheap Easy.👍🌹succes with your videos. greetings from Groningen Nederland.

[@TheRonskiman]

From my Heatpunk calculations it looks like I'll need quite a few radiators replacing. I'll get a local Heatgeek engineer to do a quote and probably British Gas in the new year. It's quite likely I'll replace the rads myself to save on some labour, I'll sound them out when they come round for the survey.

[@UpsideDownFork]

Sounds like you're on the right track 👍 Merry Christmas

[@robynrox]

Interesting about your DNO thing - we really haven't had a problem with that and the craftsperson who visited told us it would be fine to go ahead with the installation even before the works are done! I'm still waiting on planning; I can't see them saying no, but this is Wales - we'll see.

[@UpsideDownFork]

Fingers crossed! Merry Christmas

[@robynrox]

@@UpsideDownFork Merry Christmas to you!

[@igannon58]

Ive been following all your videos for the last year, I only wish BG had a quicker roll out of installation of heat pumps, currently not installing in Chelmsford, Essex

[@UpsideDownFork]

Thanks for watching! Merry Christmas

[@SteveG-1976]

I'm in a fairly new Build, with a 2 year old Boiler, and a UFH System. I still don't know if I should make the Jump to a Heat Pump or go for an Electric Car 1st. Solar and Battery system all done, but what to do next....? Keep up the Good Work and Seasons Greetings and all that to you and yours.

[@stevesmith7675]

We are in a similar position. We bought an EV 2 years ago shortly followed by solar panels and 13.5 kWh batteries. About the same time our old boiler packed up. Wanted to put a ASHP in but couldn’t because of the 1 metre rule. Now that obstacle has been removed we are wondering whether to stick with gas or switch. Decision like to depend on cost. Like you we have ufh. We run an open loop, no zoning, and a max flow temperature of 45 degrees to replicate a heat pump. So far very comfy but I think a a heat pump would be significantly cheaper to run. Good luck with your decision.

[@MentalLentil-ev9jr]

@@stevesmith7675 In terms of carbon saving, obviously a heat pump is a no-brainer, it'll be far better than either the EV or solar. Cost is harder if you're looking for a return on investment, on the plus side your property will need little extra work other than a cylinder (probably). It will be significantly cheaper to run, especially since you already have batteries.

[@stevesmith7675]

@ We are set up internally, UFH, radiators and controls so by my calculations all we need is heat pump and cylinder plus sundries and labour. Hopefully little more than the BUS grant. Batteries PV and time of use tarrifs should bring down running costs.

[@rugbygirlsdadg]

I'm in a similar position, although I got an EV first, then panels and batteries. What's best is entirely individual. What sort of EV mileage, household electricity usage, available tariffs. Everyone is different, so no simple answer, sorry. I currently power my house entirely at 7p/kWh, on my octopus EV tariff by charging my batteries overnight. I have a fairly new A rated gas boiler so I have no intention of replacing it just yet.

[@UpsideDownFork]

Thank you. If you want to save money, go for an EV first. Especially as you have solar and battery already. If you want to save on emissions, you will need to do some basic calculations on how much gas you've used in the last year and how many miles you drive. Merry Christmas!

[@neutron6220]

7:38 Octopus are the same tbh. We've still not had any invoice

[@Biggest-dh1vr]

They probably see most of the payment with the grant

[@UpsideDownFork]

It's certainly a sign of a developing sector. Lots of growth and chaotic admin!

[@graham1155]

Octopus have quoted £970 to install. Don’t have solar yet and our gas boiler is only five years old. Big decision

[@neutron6220]

Great price, is that for the cosy or the daikin?

[@graham1155]

@ that’s for the cosy. I think it’s so cheap because the property is fairly new, five years old. Also quoted £12k for eleven panels and Tesla power wall

[@neutron6220]

@graham1155 we have the Cosy 6 and we're happy with it

[@UpsideDownFork]

That's a great price! Thanks for watching! Merry Christmas

[@Boxlopper]

Thanks for this video. What made you need planning permission? ASHPs are permitted development? Did you do the application yourself (I think I'll need to do a planning application too)

[@UpsideDownFork]

1M boundary rule forced us to get permission. Yes, I did it myself and this video will really help you if you're considering a DIY planning approach. kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4a7g5SJeq5noqs

[@Biggest-dh1vr]

The suggestion is that the 1m rule is going soon?

[@UpsideDownFork]

@@Biggest-dh1vr Yes it is, although the noise assessment levels are changing so what is given with one hand may be taken away with the other...

[@sowgroweat6987]

99% not subscribed, really? Not exactly shouldering their share of helping out here are they! Subscribing is free, commenting maybe be a chore but if it helps the Algorithm and you then its worthwhile, and a thumbs up is another zero cost return for your time and effort.

[@UpsideDownFork]

I must come clean and say that this video was made quite some time ago and we're now closer to 90% not subscribed. Moving in the right direction! Thanks for watching! Merry Christmas

[@KavanOBrien]

Do you think in the future that a heat pump would be able to replace a boiler without the need to upgrade the radiators , so it would have to generate a heat factor that mirrors a gas boiler .

[@AlanTov]

I have had an Octopus heatpump installation and it only replaced 3 out of 13 radiators, with no pipework changes only the heatpump loop. It all depends on your house EPC, mine was B+ nearly an A.

[@KavanOBrien]

@@AlanTov how does one workout what ever EPC means , is there some sort of mathematical equation.

[@Lewis_Standing]

You already can with high temperature heat pumps. Problem is that low temperature heat pumps are cheaper to run than gas, high temps are not. So you invest a bit in radiator changes and get lower running costs. Simplified version.

[@Lewis_Standing]

​@@KavanOBrienEPC is the energy certificate your house has to have when you sell it. It is an estimate of your homes energy use done by a surveyor. It's not always accurate but it's a reasonable guide. Essentially adding double glazing has reduced the heat losses of a lot of houses and original rads sized for single pane losses. So going to a heat pump with cooler radiators may or may not require a change. It's individual to the home.

[@HiruS22]

@@KavanOBrienYou need a survey

[@ionlywanttrains]

Interesting. The new windows for the house were by far the most expensive part of our journey to full electric. Well over twice the cost of the heat pump install. Wow, your journey took ages! Enquiry to install of our heat pump = 3 months

[@UpsideDownFork]

3 months is very quick! Who was that with? Yes, having replaced our windows and doors at our last house, I'm very familiar with how much that costs. Merry Christmas!

[@ionlywanttrains]

@UpsideDownFork it was with Octopus. I think we managed to sneak in with a cancellation. Merry Christmas 🎁

[@UpsideDownFork]

@ionlywanttrains nicely done! 😊

[@capnkirk5528]

Wow. As a Canadian, my first thought was - THAT'S CHEAP. Before I watched through to see that there was a substantial grant off of it, but still - what YOU paid was dirt cheap. The second thought was - OMG, I thought OUR local bureaucracies were petty and stupid. (They are, it simply depends on the attitude of the local municipality). Now if out idiot PM has done something more like this than the hated "carbon tax" (Yes, it worked well in Sweden - CANADA is NOT Sweden, sadly) he might be getting less hate these days. Really interesting ... I follow Dave from "Dave takes it on" and watching real people in the UK makes me wish I could MOVE there (technically I think I can but I don't know how healthcare would work).

[@UpsideDownFork]

Thanks for the comment and thanks for viewing all the way from Canada! The grass isn't always greener. If you read through the comments of most of my videos you'll see that the UK is also full of plenty of 'special' people all around us here!

[@capnkirk5528]

@@UpsideDownFork Indeed, that is common everywhere these days. The world has had a very, very long stretch of prosperity (in the western world) and there is a whole generation that really has no clue what real privation is. I have long thought Canada was one of the best countries in the world - and it WAS - but NOW proximity to the US is frightening, like being in Ukraine before 2020 and considering the Russians. Sometimes you need to be on the outside looking in to realize the advantages another place may have; the UK is currently one of the "safer" choices in the world. And doing the "right" things is some ways - no government EVER does ALL the right things.

[@kevindavis8442]

The problem is, all these heat pump installs need a grant to make them affordable, £7500, and that isnt free money, that comes from the taxpayer, standing on their own merits without a grant but installed by MCS companies,, heat pumps are not viable, the biggest issue is, the £7500 grant is stopping the heat pumps being installed at a naturally lower price, take away the £7500, the p[rice to install would dramatically drop otherwise there would be no installs, so as long as the grant is there, other people (who usually cant afford a heat pump even with the grant) are paying for those installs .. now I am talking instals by MCS registered companies, I can buy a Samsung 8kW heat pump for 2K, add another 1K for plumbing and fitting (by Joe blogs plumber) and you have an 8kW heat pump installed for about the same price as a good gas boiler, but why install for 3k when you can add 7.5k Grant and still charge another 3K plus

[@ambassadorfromreality1125]

The imperative here is carbon emmisions which affects everybody. Not a lifestyle choice. Has to be done and we are in a transition to electrical heating. Solar transitioned with the feed in tariffs and is supported with zero rate VAT. Transitions will happen naturally but we haven't got time to wait. In the interests of everybody it is an intervention with taxpayers money that is justified. Having said that I get your point about grants distorting prices.

[@BenIsInSweden]

The bulk of the cost of the average install comes from upgrading to low temperature heating (bigger rads/insulation etc) not from the cost of the heat pump itself.

[@manoo422]

You are completely correct, whenever the govt offer grants the industry concerned just adds the grand money on to the bill!! Grants that the tax payer has to foot the bill for, everyone buying heat pumps are making the UK energy market worse. This is a govt generated problem and the high cost of energy is purely down to their agenda to 'create' a crisis.

[@kevindavis8442]

@@BenIsInSweden I understand that, I am a builder, but my point is even if nothing needs to be upgraded, the £7500 gives a false economy calculations, my point is, until that £7500 grant is removed, the install companies have literally no incentive to start dropping prices on both materials and labour, because they know they have that £7500 bonus as a cussion to rely on.

[@UpsideDownFork]

Another perspective is that the price of heat pumps is artificially high because of gas boilers. If it weren't for the spark gap and the merit order, we wouldn't need such comprehensive retrofitting to make a heat pump reach running cost parity with a gas boiler. Chuck a cheap heat pump in for £3k and you might reach a COP of 2, which will save us loads in carbon emissions but at the current rates will not be economically viable to run for most people. Fix the spark gap and this problem goes away.

[@mikegriffith4435]

Interesting

[@UpsideDownFork]

Thanks and Merry Christmas!

[@NckBrktt]

I watched your original videos recently as I am still mulling over whether to add extra A2A to existing A2A setup or just go A2W. The A2A unit will probably be only slightly less the your final bill and also no hot water. My biggest worries about going full A2W are the fact I have plastic 10mm piping which was done when the original 1980's system sprang a leak 12 years ago and could not be located with many pipes sealed in walls and under concrete. Another re-piping probable with all the disruption. Also radiators belong in museum, so full replacement might be necessary. What paperwork did BG sort out themselves ? Not the DNO ? The paperwork for my Solar/battery system was completely arranged by my installer including G99 DNO and I just had to sign and post.

[@UpsideDownFork]

Thanks for watching! Yes, BG did the DNO paperwork. I did the planning application myself. Without a heat loss survey it's impossible to know if your 10mm plastic will need replacement. It's very possible that they will work fine with a buffer tank like mine. Merry Christmas

[@Sean_S1000]

How much did the heat pump install cost 😂

[@MentalLentil-ev9jr]

Please refer to the special video he made, titled "How much did my heat pump cost".😉

[@Sean_S1000]

@MentalLentil-ev9jr I will try no idea where I will find it 😅

[@UpsideDownFork]

Thanks for watching! Merry Christmas

[@Sean_S1000]

@@UpsideDownFork Merry Christmas! Thanks for the content

[@PJWey]

Thanks for the insights. My former landlord replaced our combi boiler with another because heat pumps are too expensive and don’t work. Upon moving my my new build home I have solar panels, lovely insulation and a gas combi, because the builders were not required to install a heat pump in the first phase of construction. All future homes on the site have heat pumps and my home has all the space needed. I appreciate any and all objective information on this subject as the noise around it is deafening. 😊

[@migsteele]

Assuming that new build developers would actually do a good job of installing heat pumps is your problem…

[@MrKarlPrince]

As your not in a rush (having a new working gas boiler), it is probably worth waiting to see how the houses of similar design on your estate with heat pumps get on, especially after a full year of usage. Then for yourself you will know what issues may need to be resolved for your own install, to hopefully have an optimum system.

[@UpsideDownFork]

I'd be really interested to know what a big firm like Octopus would say about retrofitting a heat pump into a new build like yours!

[@edwardpickering9006]

​@UpsideDownFork Been there, (not) done that. Basically they wanted to rip everything out and start again. No concept of retro fit and reusing perfectly good kit like existing new hot water cylinder. Happy to discuss further.

[@justinjoanknecht3475]

1% here

[@UpsideDownFork]

Thank you! 😊