Heat Pump Retrofit In a Victorian House. Is It Even Possible?

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  • Опубликовано: 18 май 2024
  • #heatpump #vaillant #airsourceheatpump
    In this video, we are taking on the difficult task of retrofitting a heat pump in a period, uninsulated property in South London.
    Visit my website here:
    www.urbanplumbers.co.uk/
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Комментарии • 302

  • @MichaelATH
    @MichaelATH 9 месяцев назад +76

    Good honest guy. It’s not flowing properly, why? Cos I’m a muppet! We all make simple mistakes, nice to see you don’t hide them . As always, outstanding work.

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад +12

      Thank you!

    • @richardwaller7721
      @richardwaller7721 9 месяцев назад +4

      I was thinking exactly the same. Just goes to show how even the most impressive professionals can make an error, but that their eye for detail helps them identify and resolve the problem. Great also to see the different choice of valves to reduce the pressure drop. I’m no expert but I really enjoy watching an great team at work to show what can be achieved in the most challenging of properties. I’ve had an ASHP installed in a smaller 1870s terraced cottage so it was really interesting to see some similar pipework issues and the importance of balancing the buffer which I’ll check with my installer.

  • @andrewc965
    @andrewc965 9 месяцев назад +17

    Less despots in the world sounds good enough to me to smash a like!

  • @johndevlin980
    @johndevlin980 9 месяцев назад

    Excellent as always 👍

  • @ashplumb1
    @ashplumb1 9 месяцев назад

    Sensational mentoring once again pal. Always a joy watching your content

  • @antonycollis5284
    @antonycollis5284 9 месяцев назад

    Great video, great to see the install at the way through. 👍

  • @cestmoi7829
    @cestmoi7829 9 месяцев назад

    Great video - keep up the honesty and people will trust you more 👍🏻👏🏻

  • @billfinn7751
    @billfinn7751 Месяц назад

    Really informative thanks

  • @Glen523
    @Glen523 9 месяцев назад +13

    Great job, Thanks for helping us to understand these new systems a little bit more, interesting to see the homeowners experience down the line with the system in term of comfort and running cost etc. Thanks to the homeowner for sharing and to yourself for the super information.

  • @martinlemke4440
    @martinlemke4440 7 месяцев назад +1

    I like your approach for taking care about flow optimization of the whole heating system. Great job! 👍

  • @garrywhiting8398
    @garrywhiting8398 9 месяцев назад +1

    Brilliant video again Szymon. It must have been disappointing to lift the first floorboard and see the mess.

  • @ccronn
    @ccronn 9 месяцев назад

    Fascinating

  • @bernardcharlesworth9860
    @bernardcharlesworth9860 9 месяцев назад +1

    Nice to see a professional engineer

  • @JustFixIt99
    @JustFixIt99 9 месяцев назад +7

    Just fantastic videos. I would be curious to see a more detailed video on how you do heat loss calculations.

  • @markmann6964
    @markmann6964 9 месяцев назад +1

    Loving all the detailed knowledge and methodical decision making you convey in your videos.
    A lot of great information proving that heat pumps, when installed properly are revolutionary.
    One caveat to a "victorian house" - its been extended!
    Commendable that you've beaten the lack of wall/floor insulation but many victorian properties just don't have the space for all this kit 😞

  • @AdamDitheridge
    @AdamDitheridge 9 месяцев назад +1

    Beautiful work as always sir..... I tip my hat.

    • @AdamDitheridge
      @AdamDitheridge 9 месяцев назад

      On a side note, you've shown the SCOP value on the Vaillant controls in previous videos... I can't seem to find them on mine. What are the button presses to navigate there? Or could mine be lower spec and not have it?

  • @DanEVSolar7
    @DanEVSolar7 9 месяцев назад +1

    Consider it liked! Well deserved too, great vid as always! 👍

  • @sunthroughtheblinds
    @sunthroughtheblinds 9 месяцев назад

    Another great job. Wish I was in a house that you could fit one to rather than just a flat where I’ll be stuck with a boiler.

  • @desolateones
    @desolateones 9 месяцев назад

    This video alone has made me subscribe... Thanks :-)

  • @brianp7022
    @brianp7022 9 месяцев назад

    Despite the controversy regarding these pumps, your workmanship is excellent

  • @matchmade44
    @matchmade44 4 дня назад

    Great video, and there's a lot for a renovator-developer and specifier like me to take in. What I would love to have seen too:
    1. How did you do an energy assessment in order to produce your system design? We are repeatedly told "fabric first" and that renovators must install incredibly expensive External Wall Insulation systems and MVHR etc before even looking at moving from gas boilers to ASHPs - and that rendered EWI must regrettably destroy the often-gorgeous and unique Victorian/Edwardian decorative features that make British period housing so distinctive. If however renovators can do a combination of low-impact insulation and cold-bridge minimisation and well-designed and less costly ASHP-radiator-UFH systems, that would be brilliant.
    2. What did this little lot cost, from energy assessment to any extra insulation to final commissioning? And why didn't your clients choose to replace all that ancient pipework under the floorboards while they had the chance?
    3. How are running costs and operating efficiencies being monitored?

  • @BriaCroTex
    @BriaCroTex 8 месяцев назад

    Watching this i am realizing how much i don't know but again i am not heat pump specialist. I have so many questions. I just wanna say great job and whoever calculate all this is top man,

  • @colinfarrell6444
    @colinfarrell6444 9 месяцев назад +4

    Brilliant job once again.
    Wish we had an engineer like you in N Ireland

    • @springtown24
      @springtown24 9 месяцев назад +2

      There are in fact a few in NI who care as much as he does, but are hard to find and are always too busy, so you may have to put up with the rougher plumbers. Problem over here is that few are prepared to pay the cost of a good plumbing job and therefore end up with a cheap and nasty job. Believe me I have come behind quite a few poor quality plumbing jobs and have had to fix their shoddy work. It actually works out more expensive for the client in the end.

  • @richardlphillips
    @richardlphillips 9 месяцев назад +2

    Interesting stuff as always 👍👏

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад +2

      Glad you enjoyed it!

    • @richardlphillips
      @richardlphillips 9 месяцев назад +1

      @@UrbanPlumbers still on the edge of my seat for the follow up on the last video 😂

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад +2

      @@richardlphillips manufacturers are attending on Monday - although I do not have much hope in them repairing anything.
      One way or the other I should post the update to that job in the next 2 weeks.

    • @richardlphillips
      @richardlphillips 9 месяцев назад +1

      @@UrbanPlumbers 🤞🤞🤞

  • @mendyourhome
    @mendyourhome 9 месяцев назад

    Good video

  • @garywright8846
    @garywright8846 9 месяцев назад

    Brilliant job as always, nice pipework and a happy customer, be interesting if you can go back when it’s really cold too see how it’s performed

    • @marygaleac
      @marygaleac 9 месяцев назад

      My freind rented a house with a heat pump…middle of winter…couldn’t get it anywhere near 20°…..it transfers the heat back to the outside unit to protect from frost….couldn’t wait to get out….

    • @garywright8846
      @garywright8846 9 месяцев назад

      @@marygaleac yep, I’ve been saying this all along,when it’s cold and wet they spend a third of the time on defrost, useless.

  • @MaxMakerChannel
    @MaxMakerChannel 9 месяцев назад +1

    Thanks! Now I know about Taco Setters. Will include one when I install my heat pump. Will make troubleshooting easier.

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад +1

      No need on Vaillant’s though and some other units as they have build in flow sensors

  • @deanchapple1
    @deanchapple1 9 месяцев назад +2

    Thanks

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад +2

      Dean - you need to stop - I will banktupt you ;)
      Thank you as always mate!

    • @deanchapple1
      @deanchapple1 9 месяцев назад +1

      @@UrbanPlumbers ah well it’s only a small token gesture.
      It’s great information for installers, so thank you. 😁🤙🏼

  • @liamcarr9756
    @liamcarr9756 9 месяцев назад

    Spot on dude

  • @richardmccann9293
    @richardmccann9293 8 месяцев назад +3

    Absolutely loved your little comment about why we should use less gas 🤣
    My mother's house is 223 years old. We're having engineers come over to discuss options for heat pump and solar installations. House is still using the same oil boiler vented heating system that was installed when I was born, 36 years ago! Really promising to see that you're able to fit heat pumps into super old properties with no external wall insulation.

    • @edvvard101
      @edvvard101 3 месяца назад

      36 years ago... that's a solid system :)

  • @mikecole4952
    @mikecole4952 9 месяцев назад

    I like the Mut Mechana diverter valves. The NC and NO come in handy with wiring apart from the great flow rate

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад

      I just notice that Midsummer sales them for £70 and they are CV of over 12! Great find!
      midsummerwholesale.co.uk/buy/renewable-heat-accessories/mut-meccanica-tovo-sv-3-port-valve

  • @normanboyes4983
    @normanboyes4983 9 месяцев назад +3

    Another interesting video and installation.👍 In quite a few of your recent installation videos you have mentioned returning for an outcome follow up video. - I do hope you are keeping a list.😉
    BTW A very good strategic message.😀

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад +3

      yep - we will get to all of them once they have been running for a while or once I resolve issues. Those things can take time though.

    • @normanboyes4983
      @normanboyes4983 9 месяцев назад

      @@UrbanPlumbers Brilliant.👍

  • @ranxxerox6407
    @ranxxerox6407 9 месяцев назад +10

    From a person who lives in a north-South facing Mid Terrace solid wall home, with ginnel AND north facing cellar, whether switching from a gas combi-boiler to a heat pump would be beneficial, both for comfort and relative cost. I can tell you from last winter it was horrid in the front room (north facing) and thats with a higher temperature rad and gas fire. (Old houses = high celling too😞)
    Cant wait find out if this new heating system is better for the owner (and thanks to the owner for allowing this Video 🙂)

    • @joewentworth7856
      @joewentworth7856 9 месяцев назад +3

      We have a mid terrace Vic terrace with root cellar with a 7kw vaillant heatpump and it did a fantastic job through the last winter never been warmer.

  • @connoraxelson1
    @connoraxelson1 9 месяцев назад +1

    Say its 2000 litres per minute to supply enough heat at the delta T aimed for, how do you incorporate the existing pipework sizes/restrictions in to it? Like do you say it's 5m of 15mm plastic to each upstairs rad on average, then work out what flow rate they'll get from the pump to each rad. I'm a bit lost and probably didn't word that very well 😅

  • @cezars4155
    @cezars4155 7 месяцев назад

    you make briliant videos ! for that , thanks . Question : why you don't instal split sistem ?

  • @chrisrush9177
    @chrisrush9177 9 месяцев назад +1

    Brilliant video, very informative and always good to see someone admit to making a mistake.

  • @TimHodgesofEdinburgh
    @TimHodgesofEdinburgh 9 месяцев назад +1

    Great video as usual. I'm currently doing my own research for replacing an ageing gas boiler next year. Working through heat loss calcs. Recently came across the rules around siting the heat pump for both avoiding planning permission but also for those pumps with R290 refrigerant such as the Vaillant aerotherm plus with restrictions about proximity to doors and windows. These might force me to an R32 based pump instead. Would be good if you could cover some of the thinking with pros and cons around refrigerant choice in one of your videos.

    • @mytimetravellingdog
      @mytimetravellingdog 9 месяцев назад

      Just remember air to air head based systems are much cheaper, more efficient, give you air con in the summer, way easier to install and for some reason barely ever used in the UK.
      Someone I vaguely know installed electric storage heaters because a water based system would be too costly to retrofit into his victorian home but didn't even look at air to air systems
      Why people are so obsessed with retrofitting heat pumps into water heating systems is beyond me (the govt subsidy doesn't help this). I guess it's the same reason that means loads of americans want to replace central air heating with central air heatpumps as opposed to an air to air head system.

  • @stevepettifer4896
    @stevepettifer4896 9 месяцев назад

    So wish you were in my area - my heating engineer is a good guy, but seems to think heat pumps are not "man enough" for old houses (part 200 year old cob/stone, part 20 year old extension with some slightly crappy 25mm celotex type cavity insulation), despite the fact I run a 6kW flow boiler for our wet UFH, which was in place when we bought the house. As I pointed out to him, if I had a heat pump drawing as much power as the flow boiler does then I'd be living in a tropical growing house! Our annual use is no more than average really (~15,000kWh/year). There seems to be such a dearth of good, knowledgeable installers in the south west despite having loads of properties that aren't on mains gas, meaning lots of potential business over the years.

  • @scottweisel3640
    @scottweisel3640 7 месяцев назад

    When these systems start hitting the USA, I pray someone like you will be doing the training on how to install them properly.

  • @fredbloggs8816
    @fredbloggs8816 9 месяцев назад +4

    Superb! On an uninsulated property this is going to be very interesting, look forward to your revisit.

    • @johnmckay1423
      @johnmckay1423 9 месяцев назад +7

      I live in a 250m² Victorian detached uninsulated house. Two years ago we replaced our oil boiler with an ASHP and it works brilliantly.
      It would use less electricity if we insulated, but we still get a SCoP of 4 so the system runs efficiently even if the house has a high heat demand. It's all about the system design and installation - so I'm sure this one will be fine.
      I'm sure it's quite easy to install a system that didn't work and then moan to the Daily Fail, but they can work.

    • @fredbloggs8816
      @fredbloggs8816 9 месяцев назад +1

      @@johnmckay1423 Thanks John, that's quite a size of house - are you tempted to reduce further by insulating?

    • @johnmckay1423
      @johnmckay1423 9 месяцев назад

      @@fredbloggs8816 At the minute I don't have any plans to insulate the (solid) walls. External isn't an option (and is incredibly expensive) as we're in a conservation area. Internal is very disruptive - once you take into account moving all electrical fittings, plumbing, skirting, coving it's a really big (and expensive) job. I've also had advice from historic building specialists who aren't convinced about sealing the house in that way. The lime mortar and plaster allows moisture through the brickwork which would then condense in the gap between the inside of the wall and the insulation board. When these houses were built, the walls weren't expected to be bone dry and you need to allow for movement of moisture or you get mould and damp damage.
      The payback time on solar panels to generate the extra electricity is much shorter and my house is already warm.
      Always open minded about new options.
      Our EPC recommended solid wall insulation. It would have cost twice what the ASHP installation cost and would have reduced the heat demand by about 35%. But with their recommendation of a new oil boiler it would have produced about 6 times as much CO2 as our current system and ours will get better as the grid gets more renewable.

    • @trashmail8
      @trashmail8 9 месяцев назад +3

      @@johnmckay1423 I live in a ±220m² detached and insulated house and I'm currently investigating a heat pump based solution for heating so it's very good to hear that it works brilliantly and you still get a SCoP of 4!
      May I ask what make/model of pump you are using? (size / kW).
      I fully realise that every house is different and requires a fitting solution and I've already been doing some heat transfer coefficient calculations for the house. But if it works in your situation it's another reference point for something that should work for us and something that I can hold against my calculations.
      Ultimately waiting for a local installer that has time (waiting lists are close to or over a single year), so I'm trying to be as best prepared as possible. :)

    • @timballam3675
      @timballam3675 9 месяцев назад

      @@johnmckay1423 100%

  • @wtsduurzaam
    @wtsduurzaam 2 месяца назад

    After years of experience with Vaillaint, i would advice you to look into Panasonic heatpumps as well. We've installed way over 100's, and they're solid and have better SCOP/COP ratings then most others. Besides that, epic movies!

  • @corollarijder
    @corollarijder 9 месяцев назад +3

    I'm very curious also how this system performs over the winter. Please revisit this job👍🏻

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад +4

      I am installing remote monitoring on the system this week so will be able to share that data throughout the winter.

  • @simonruddy8265
    @simonruddy8265 9 месяцев назад +3

    Fantastic work fella, what a team. I wish all installers operated at this level.

  • @Captck
    @Captck 9 месяцев назад +4

    I really hope the technology improves over the next 10 years to make these about a 1/4 of the size, if we're all going to be forced to have one after 2035. It depresses me to see just how much is needed in terms of tanks, pumps, new rads etc, letalone the size of the heat pump itself. I have a 1930s semi, but couldnt put it in the side alley as i wouldnt be able to get bins or bikes past it, and i dont want it facing out against the back wall as thats where i sit in the garden. The tanks would have to take up valuable room in the garage or something too. All to replace something thats the size of a standard kitchen wall cabinet. Im hoping they invent some other technology in that time, or switch to pumping hydrogen through the gas network if thats viable.

    • @markrainford1219
      @markrainford1219 9 месяцев назад

      Or just don't vote for the government that would force that upon you.

  • @HusniAmir
    @HusniAmir 9 месяцев назад +1

    Does the external unit need to be on the ground floor? Can be installed on the roof instead?

  • @charliesipple701
    @charliesipple701 9 месяцев назад +1

    love the video! just a bit of advise, i've just been told by vaillant technical that having an antifreeze valve and not glycol will void the warranty! be sure to double check with them directly as i'm not convinced by was he was saying!

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад +2

      Who cares what Vaillant says? I don’t 🤣

    • @charliesipple701
      @charliesipple701 9 месяцев назад +1

      @@UrbanPlumbers 😂😂😂 great response

  • @mgbroadsterJ
    @mgbroadsterJ 9 месяцев назад

    Do you do the heat loss calcs and radiators sizing your self ?

  • @myatix1
    @myatix1 9 месяцев назад

    Great video! Thanks for sharing!Do I need a buffer on a full UFH installation without rads?

    • @timballam3675
      @timballam3675 9 месяцев назад +1

      The buffer is only there to compensate for the extra pump, if your system has well sized pipework then you won't need it.

    • @myatix1
      @myatix1 9 месяцев назад

      Okay! Thanks for the reply!The UFH pipe is 16mm off the manifold with 22mm flow into 2 manifolds

    • @timballam3675
      @timballam3675 9 месяцев назад

      @@myatix1 looks like you should be good if the other pipework is fine.

  • @michaelpoulton6123
    @michaelpoulton6123 9 месяцев назад +7

    Great video, nice to see someone who’s all about the job and not just another RUclips plumber trying to promote tools they are getting for free, how much and how long did the install take to do? Would be interested to know 👍

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад +3

      5 days, plus 2 days to swap 6 rads

  • @ice4142
    @ice4142 9 месяцев назад +1

    What size cupboard would you need to install a hot water cylinder say 200ltr for a family of 4? I just don't know where I could put a cylinder in my house with a gas combi.

  • @Ben-gm9lo
    @Ben-gm9lo 9 месяцев назад +4

    God I love watching your stuff. I wish you were based in W Oxon so you could do an install for me! Please don't stop what you are doing. Efforts like yours are making a difference all over and many of us love you for it.

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад

      I will keep going - thank you !

  • @davewernham5623
    @davewernham5623 9 месяцев назад +1

    Fantastic content , so why do you need a buffer tank on the Hep2o pipework ?
    Thanks for Great videos .

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад +1

      Hep is too restrictive and much smaller bore than equivalent size copper

  • @michaeldepodesta001
    @michaeldepodesta001 9 месяцев назад +1

    Hydronics in action. Brilliant. M

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад

      This reminds me. We need to book a date in Sep to sort your hydroponics out!

  • @adrianbotos2819
    @adrianbotos2819 9 месяцев назад +1

    Hi Szymon, as always, excellent video ! In your opinion, for a colder climate (design temp of -12C), for arotherm plus, should I use glycol, or the anti freeze valve is safe enough? All the best, Adrian

  • @detroitdiesel33
    @detroitdiesel33 9 месяцев назад

    Great job explaining everything so well!
    I want to upgrade my heatpump external pipework to 28mm copper from 22mm copper but struggling to find any decent insulation and trunking?
    Any reccomendations for a supplier?

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад

      Pump house for trunking or primary pro and rubber lined clips form mid wales plumbing supplies

    • @detroitdiesel33
      @detroitdiesel33 9 месяцев назад

      Brillaint---many thanks @@UrbanPlumbers

  • @sniperpd9505
    @sniperpd9505 9 месяцев назад

    A plant room! I don't have one of them in my flat. So I can't have a heat pump. Are electric combi boilers any good?

  • @jtrent90
    @jtrent90 7 месяцев назад

    myself and my plumber had a bit of a fuss over the anti-freeze valves. he had only installed glycol systems before and following the heat pump suppliers specs we fitted a valve on the flow and the return, which resulted in some awkward pipework behind the unit to get everything to fit. we've got a daikin altherma monoblock, it comes with an isolation valve with strainer which is fitted on the return. I've noticed in your installs it appears you only use one anti freeze valve? I'd love to be able to do so since i could just put it directly on the back of the unit (flow) and very much simplify my outdoor pipework and the nightmare of insulating it.

  • @edwardscrase6136
    @edwardscrase6136 9 месяцев назад

    Is there any reason I couldn't put a heat pump on a stand about 2 metres up? Ideally with baffles around it to direct air and sound up?

  • @B0jangle5
    @B0jangle5 9 месяцев назад +1

    Fair play for keeping the cock up in. Great video as always :D

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад +1

      I never hide them. They make everything mroe interesting.

  • @markrussell9719
    @markrussell9719 9 месяцев назад

    Hi - What is the insulation you are using please?

  • @johntisbury
    @johntisbury 9 месяцев назад +1

    Good update, great to hear your thoughts about the buffer and synchronising the flow rates between hot water and heating circuits.

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад +1

      Time will show of it can work well

    • @pip1980
      @pip1980 6 месяцев назад

      ​@@UrbanPlumbers They installed the same buffer (45L Vaillant) in our system. The COP is only 2.3 since installation in mid-March. The house is nice and warm on weather compensation only (heat curve 0.45) and flow temperatures when ever I check are below 35°C. I would expect COPs through the roof, but I think 3.0 was the best we had so far. Really not sure why, and they don't know either. It's 7kW Vaillant aeroTherm plus on a 85m² , 3-bedroom bungalow. Perhaps the whole thing is oversized? And/or could the buffer and distortion you mentioned a likely cause?

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  6 месяцев назад +1

      @@pip1980 - just to let you know - this system scop on heating right now is 5.0 and 3.8 on DHW. 7kw is most likely oversized for an 85m2 bungalow. Also, it most likely does not need a buffer. That size property would be 3-4kW heat loss and could easily be run with a much smaller unit. Also with small heat loss, there is no need for 4 pipe buffers at all.

    • @pip1980
      @pip1980 6 месяцев назад

      ​@@UrbanPlumbers Thanks! They sent a few different engineers now and they all sort of hinted at the same thing. I hope they agree to fix it.

  • @Cha053ngine
    @Cha053ngine 9 месяцев назад

    We're thinking about a heat pump because our oil boiler is dying. What area do you cover? Only London or would you consider a job in Cm3?

  • @joncarter2178
    @joncarter2178 7 месяцев назад

    Love your videos, helps my guys to understand heat pumps and all the myths behind them ❤

  • @richardfife8192
    @richardfife8192 9 месяцев назад +1

    How much for that system and install? That's what we all need to know.

  • @primarypro1627
    @primarypro1627 9 месяцев назад +2

    Great Video; like all the others, it is really good not just for new ones to heat pumps or older experienced ones ( every day is a learning day ) but also for end customers to see what is required and what is needed to fit an efficient system. Also,
    It's good for others to see you are not perfect as we all make mistakes, that's learning 👍
    The team is building and learning to 👍👏👏, Thanks for the mention/support and keep up the great work and videos

    • @garrywhiting8398
      @garrywhiting8398 9 месяцев назад

      Excellent point. Consumer understanding is something that will always be sadly lacking due to the culture of "it's what I pay YOU for". Pity, because a knowledgeable customer also drives up standards.

    • @mytimetravellingdog
      @mytimetravellingdog 9 месяцев назад

      if you are retrofitting heat pumps into a water system it will never be truly efficient. Air to air head units will always be the most efficient system (and cheaper and easier to install). It's bizarre they aren't the standard in this country.

    • @garrywhiting8398
      @garrywhiting8398 9 месяцев назад

      @@mytimetravellingdog in some cases, yes they could be dreadful. On the other hand, when the gas industry has often grossly oversized some installations, it's just possible that COPs of over 4 are possible. What's inefficient about that? Additionally, there's the personal preference factor. Many people dislike the characteristics of air-to-air heating/cooling. Like many things, there's no "one size fits all" solution. Videos like these get the conversation going as well as showcasing the possibilities. Urban Plumbers (or any other Heat Geek) would be first to advise a customer of something wasn't suitable.

  • @meineszmf
    @meineszmf 9 месяцев назад +4

    Can't wait for the cop results, keep up the good work, Urban Plumbers (although Urban Engineer would be a better qualification)

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад +2

      I am also super curious to not only the cop but also running cost, as they have 15kWh of battery storage and cheap overnight tarrif

  • @thumbnailqualityassurance7853
    @thumbnailqualityassurance7853 9 месяцев назад +1

    Would it be possible for you in a future video to touch on balancing the flow through the radiators?
    More specifically, since you always size systems correctly, thermostats on the radiators are not needed. :)

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад +1

      I don’t even bother balancing, just don’t tell anyone.

    • @thumbnailqualityassurance7853
      @thumbnailqualityassurance7853 9 месяцев назад

      @@UrbanPlumbers soooo.. fully open thermostat and/or, what do you call it over there..., lockshield?

  • @pmbpmb5416
    @pmbpmb5416 2 месяца назад

    Have you continued to use the new diverter on bigger flow requirements, if so what make is it please ?

  • @edmoorebsc
    @edmoorebsc 9 месяцев назад +1

    This is really interesting, we have a uninsulated single brick course property and I have always thought there is no point even considering a heat pump installation until we do some absolutely massive external insulation project. But perhaps I'm wrong.

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад +5

      Check my other videos. We have successfully installed heat pumps in period uninsulated properties and they all are much cheaper to run than gas.

  • @Umski
    @Umski 9 месяцев назад

    Nice job - out of curiosity what was the output of the old gas boiler? I’m guessing 20kW?

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад +1

      I didn’t even check. I think it might have been 18kW

  • @Thermoelectric7
    @Thermoelectric7 9 месяцев назад +5

    What was it about the existing pipework that meant you needed the buffer tank? Higher pressure drop which the heat pump couldn't handle, requiring the second pump and buffer tank?
    Haven't seen the buffer tanks used much so interested to learn a little more about why it was required.
    Awesome install though, you do some beautiful work!

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад +4

      becasue of the required flow rate - the pressure loss on existing PB pipeowrk is quite conisderable, and there was a risk that without a buffer the circulator on the external unit would be able to provide 2000L / hour flow. This in turn would lower the unit effiency and output, and casue a situation in which at design temperature there wouldn't be enough power to keep the house at 21C. It would also be more expensive to run.

    • @Thermoelectric7
      @Thermoelectric7 9 месяцев назад +2

      @@UrbanPlumbers Ahh that makes sense. Thanks for the reply. Is there a reason you wouldn't just put the second pump in series with the heatpump, and go without the buffer tank?

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад +9

      @@Thermoelectric7 Yes - that is the worst thing one could do.
      First, you would still have to overcome the resistance of the heat exchanger on the external unit - using 2 pumps - this would require much more pumping power to do so.
      With a buffer, the system pump doesn't have to overcome the resistance of the external unit.
      Second - pumps do not like to be in series as they can interact in strange ways with each other. Especially if they are not fixed-speed pumps.
      Strangely some manufacturers were advising this method (Mitsubishi for example) - with terrible results.
      Generally, if you have more than one pump on a system you want to separate them by a low loss header, closed coupled T or a buffer.

    • @BerkeleyTowers
      @BerkeleyTowers 9 месяцев назад

      @@UrbanPlumbers There's a discussion going on in Heat Geeks where we're talking about head loss in plastic pipes. Do you have figures for equivalent pipe lengths that I can't find? The argument was, "don't use plastic because of the fittings." I get that with some but not all. Hepworth publish equivalent pipe lengths for their fittings which are identical to those for copper. The only difference then being the smaller id, size for size. I can't find anything for JG or others, do you have any?

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад +1

      Calculate it yourself. It’s not that difficult

  • @poweravery4410
    @poweravery4410 8 месяцев назад

    Hi great video quick question what’s the heat loss of this property m2 of building how many rads on system and what size unit. ? Just curious because I’m going to install in my own property.
    Thanks

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  8 месяцев назад

      you need a full heat loss calcs done. All houses are different. This one was 11kW heat loss and I think around 180m2. The unit is 10kW on the badge but goes to around 11kW with 45c flow temp. I think the unit I chose may be around 2-3% under calculated heat loss.

  • @rolandrohde
    @rolandrohde 9 месяцев назад

    Interesting Video as usual. Just one question...why do you never (as far as I have seen) use the Unitower?

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад +1

      more expensive, less flexible, and requires more space around for maintenance. I really don't like Unitowers or any other integrated equipment. It is usually easier to install at a cost of price, flexibility and more difficult maintenance.

    • @rolandrohde
      @rolandrohde 9 месяцев назад

      @@UrbanPlumbers
      Thanks. Our installer gave us the Unitower (didn't leave us any choice really) and I am not super thrilled with it. It appears to lose quite a bit of heat over time and I am thinking of adding extra insulation.

  • @garage3022
    @garage3022 9 месяцев назад +1

    Love these videos. Good entertainment on a sunday!! I have two questions. I'm currently building a new house and have bought an Arotherm plus. I'm trying to decide which side of the house to put it. One side is the sunny side of the house, where the primary pipework to inside would be very short (1,5m one way). However it would be right next to my fairly narrow driveway me and my neighbors use. It would take up valuable space and there would always be a risk of someone hitting it, but it is possible. The other option is the 'cold' side of the house. The side is in the shade most of the time, and the primary pipework outside would have to be about 8 meters long one way. It would be mostly straight pipe though. This side is more convienient for space, looks and safety. My questions, which side would you choose? Is the sunny vs cold side a significant COP gain? And also, is the short vs long primary pipework a significant COP gain? Thank you and keep it up!

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад +4

      Put it on a shaded side. Sunny side does not give more efficiency! Also sunny side causes units to shut down on very hot days a compressors can’t operate when ambient reaches 40c, which has actually happened on one of my jobs this year.

    • @garage3022
      @garage3022 9 месяцев назад +1

      @@UrbanPlumbers Thank you for your reply! I will put it in the shade then, its overall a nicer spot for it to be. Are you willing to comment on efficiency loss with longer primary pipework? What I want to do is well within what Vaillant allows, not worried about it at all, but curious what an expert thinks.

  • @paulgilliland2992
    @paulgilliland2992 9 месяцев назад

    Do new builds require heat pumps?

  • @OHYEAHGAMEVIDEOS
    @OHYEAHGAMEVIDEOS 8 месяцев назад

    I'm interested to see a heat pump fitted on microbore. I'm yet to see one although I keep hearing it's possible.

  • @Heatingandplumbing1
    @Heatingandplumbing1 9 месяцев назад +1

    brilliant job, why use a separate buffer over a cylinder with a internal buffer?

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад +1

      Ohh man - I am not even sure where to start. Those build in buffers are usually not the best.

    • @Heatingandplumbing1
      @Heatingandplumbing1 9 месяцев назад

      @UrbanPlumbers what you mean by not the best?

  • @PoohBear01
    @PoohBear01 9 месяцев назад

    Is it not a problem to have a sockaway so close to the house?

  • @paulgardner3926
    @paulgardner3926 9 месяцев назад +3

    Amazing install. Would love to know the cost of the install!

  • @bruceyv83
    @bruceyv83 9 месяцев назад +2

    Another interesting video, thanks. Im interested in how good the primary pipework will perform with so much of it outside. I realise you had no choice but i would assume some heat loss

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад +4

      quoted heat loss art -2 and piepwork at 40C is around 10W per linear meter. We have around 18meters total, so 180 watts heat loss to the outside. At -2 unit will lose around 2% of it's output to the outside.
      I a quoting from memory so can be wrong by a small marign.

    • @bruceyv83
      @bruceyv83 9 месяцев назад +2

      @@UrbanPlumbers not as bad as I thought. Thanks

  • @mihaiachim5299
    @mihaiachim5299 9 месяцев назад

    @ 5:10 what is your opinion about diverter valves from ESBE ? Eg: VRG 231 .
    For me they are very reliable …

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад

      Yes they are great. Just expensive and hard to get at times. Tricky to set up as well.

  • @BerlietGBC
    @BerlietGBC 9 месяцев назад +1

    Outstanding work as always
    I’m in a Victorian house and in the next few years we will be needing a boiler replacement but I have the advantage of cavity walls , I’ve really been watching your work with heat pumps to make a call witch way I should go

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад +1

      Heat pump, but only if you can find a really good decent installer. What area re you in?

    • @BerlietGBC
      @BerlietGBC 9 месяцев назад +1

      @@UrbanPlumbers Well exactly that is the key , they still seem to have a lot of doubter and as you proved in a previous film with the badly installed unit , I'm just on the London Surrey boarder , I'm still undecided what option to take weather to go solar as I have a ideal spot for south facing vertical panels with a boiler or heat pump, I've a few years I hope before my combi will need replacing as it's not worked that hard

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад +4

      @@BerlietGBC you are in the area with the best installers in the country. There are 3-4 heat geek elites in London / Surrey borders, and then you also have me who covers your area.

    • @BerlietGBC
      @BerlietGBC 9 месяцев назад +1

      @@UrbanPlumbers Well I've been watching you work for ages , your definitely my first choice, I'm an engineer and I like the way you work

  • @Robertkennedy316
    @Robertkennedy316 9 месяцев назад +3

    Would you ever consider doing a similar property heat pump install in the Republic of Ireland?

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад +3

      not a great idea, you need someone to be able to resolve ptoential issues and service it near you.

  • @myatix1
    @myatix1 8 месяцев назад +1

    Love your videos and Thanks for sharing! Question: Would you use a buffer with 100% UFH ? I Would like to avoid a buffer tank. I have 2 UFH manifolds with 7 and 9 ports. Currently both manifolds have dedicated pumps that I plan to remove an hooefully run everything off the Vaillant AroTherm pump What do you think?

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  8 месяцев назад +1

      you have to calcuate your heat loss first and your flow rate. Then you calcaute your index circuit and take into account pressure loss though valves and diverters though that circut. If you have enough head in the external unit pump, then you don't need a buffer and can also remove pumps on manfifolds.

    • @myatix1
      @myatix1 8 месяцев назад

      @@UrbanPlumbers Thanks for replying to my question… The mass flow rate with a dT 5 is 16 l/m. I can see that the vaillant AroTherm plus 7kW has a maximum flow rate of 20 l/m. If I use either 28mm or 35mm pipe for my main curcuit and the 22mm to each manifold do you think I need the buffer? (Should you also take into account 16mm ufh pipe?) The other alternative is to use a dT of 7 which Would drop the flow to 12l/m I hope you dont mind me asking!

  • @mihaiachim5299
    @mihaiachim5299 9 месяцев назад

    @ 8:59 😊

  • @niknikmoore
    @niknikmoore 9 месяцев назад +1

    Don't forget to LIKE the video

  • @arnoldmonk6381
    @arnoldmonk6381 9 месяцев назад +1

    Another interesting job, lovely high quality work on the installation but at what cost? 5 days, three plumbers(?) plus materials, down south where everything is premium rate. We would like to replace our boiler with a heat pump but we have no indoor space for a plant room, we can have a new gas boiler installed for around £3000, with a 10 year warranty why would we go heat pump?

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад +1

      Cheaper to run, better comfort, much less co2 emissions, don’t support questionable regimes around the world, save the planet, add solar / battery make it even cheaper, etc…

    • @Lutonman2010
      @Lutonman2010 9 месяцев назад +1

      youd fit one if your primary concern is to save the planet, if youve got thousands of pounds to chuck at it and you want to virtue signal to all your neighbours about how much greener your home is compared to Sebastian and Jocasta at number 7. Basically you live in Harpenden. For everyone else, we chuck in the 3K gas swap and use all the money we save on a bloody good holiday for the next few years. Id bet a huge amount of people having these 30k installs to save the planet have a range rover sitting on the drive and jet off in summer to their apartment in Alicante.
      Your 3k gas boiler swap is costing you probably a couple of hundred quid a year over the lifetime of the unit. Whats this install costing over its lifetime, probably ten times that a year. When these first started to get heavily pushed, all these videos were about how youd save a fortune cos youd do away with gas, now thats been found out to be absolute nonsense due to the crackers install prices of these systems, so that argument has been quietly dropped by most youtubers and suddenly these mega installs are being sold on saving the planet.
      No one ever mentions that if you do away with ga after having a heat pump installed then youve got to cook with an electric hob or induction and they are generally pretty horrible to use and no way cheaper to run than a gas hob.
      Ive made huge energy savings in my house by simply swapping the rads to panel pluses, ditching the old honeywell 9000 controls for a nest wired with opentherm and turning the flow temp down to 50C, no need to change the boiler, upgrade any of the pipework, find an area for a buffer tank etc etc. These installs are luxury items generally installed by people with more money than sense. In the middle of a cost of living crisis ask yourself this "how many 'normal' families that you know could afford to chuck £25-30k at their heating system.

  • @chriss4949
    @chriss4949 9 месяцев назад +1

    Do you always build a soakaway? My proposed site for unit is right over a channel drain in the pathway.

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад

      connect to the drain then or just ut some gravel below the unit in a reccess. It is mostly to stop condesate freezing in the winter and cause a hazard

  • @skrbek34
    @skrbek34 9 месяцев назад

    “F” vorlauf
    “R” rücklauf
    hvac jargon ❤

  • @andrewsimon5437
    @andrewsimon5437 9 месяцев назад +1

    what type of solder are you using to make your connections ?

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад +2

      Whatever I find it the van 🤣

  • @ambrosiad1588
    @ambrosiad1588 8 месяцев назад

    why a buffer tank, does it serve the same function as a low loss header, whats the difference?

  • @antoinec1066
    @antoinec1066 9 месяцев назад +3

    Interesting. I would be curious to know what was the heatloss of the house and how powerful is the heatpump. Also, how much to budget for such install?

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад +5

      Heat loss circa 11kW. Unit is 10kW rated at -7. I do not share the costs of installations on here, as it may give wrong expectations to people.

    • @BerkeleyTowers
      @BerkeleyTowers 9 месяцев назад +2

      @@UrbanPlumbers Love your work. The geek in me would also love to know more of the nuts and bolts of how you choose the ancillaries to match the system... buffer.. valves etc. I was fascinated by the diverter valve. Never, ever, looked beyond Honywell before!

    • @antoinec1066
      @antoinec1066 9 месяцев назад

      @@UrbanPlumbers thank you. Perfectly understand.

    • @davefish8107
      @davefish8107 9 месяцев назад

      Am I the only person that thinks all the pipes and boxes outside the property are ugly
      Might as well live in a warehouse

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад +1

      @davefish8107 yes

  • @edvvard101
    @edvvard101 3 месяца назад

    Compared to a combi boiler, the amount of space you lose is quite significant

  • @milkyporridge5929
    @milkyporridge5929 9 месяцев назад

    So a new pump fixed the loft radiators 😆

  • @timballam3675
    @timballam3675 9 месяцев назад

    Was trying to explain to someone the other day that a heat pump would work in an old house if installed properly and you can get a scop of 3.5!

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад +1

      You can get scops over 4 i old houses

    • @Felix-st2ue
      @Felix-st2ue 9 месяцев назад

      Well, the limiting factor is mostly the temperature that is necessary to heat up the place. So the bigger the radiator or better floor heating, the better the efficiency. I read a study that reckons that it's efficient as long as you don't exceed 55°C target temperature. Above it, the efficiency drops significantly.

  • @markstrawbridge9133
    @markstrawbridge9133 9 месяцев назад

    how much is the big question!

  • @rss112
    @rss112 9 месяцев назад

    is that a Wolves FC logo on your t-shirt? Do you also cover the west midlands area?

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад

      No it’s my company fox 🦊 logo. No I don’t cover midlands

    • @rss112
      @rss112 9 месяцев назад

      @@UrbanPlumbers thanks for the reply. We need more engineers like your self in the midlands!

  • @garyputtock4159
    @garyputtock4159 9 месяцев назад +3

    Great vid convinced me to stick with gas! 😂 That heat pump unit size is ridiculous. All the time to install the new rads etc etc no wonder the installation costs are so high.

    • @TomTomicMic
      @TomTomicMic 2 месяца назад

      Yes, I'd like to help stop dictators to, but don't want to be ripped off by energy companies when there is only one energy supply and renewables and energy storage and the network grid are not generating enough cheap electric as yet, at present heat pumps are powered majorly by gas fired power stations, and with an existing house with no cupboard or plant room and the cost, keeping the gas boiler and spending 5k to internally insulate the external walls, but it was another good install but it really is to complicated all the stuff should be in the external unit including a separate heat pump for hot water then it's only 4 pipes coming out heating and hot water into house then split heating in house to upstairs and downstairs no plant room as it's in the big metal box outside!?!

  • @basneutel
    @basneutel 9 месяцев назад

    Nice project, @ the moment i'm using more and more the vr70 for controlling the sec. Pump. Not only the pump is switched on every 24h in summertime, but also I have the feeling the heatpump is running smoother than without and only using the VWZ AI. Did you tested this?

  • @adrianhoneybill8591
    @adrianhoneybill8591 9 месяцев назад +1

    Have you fitted any Discrete Heat ThermaSkirt systems instead of radiators to ASHP systems? Any feedback?

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад +1

      I installed it once. It was ripped out after few weeks. Push fit origns that are not great, difficult to install, expesnive to supply and install, output is miserable so need high flow temperature - generally a bad idea, unless you want super low flor temperatures and use them as a supplemnt to UFH or radiators.
      I frankly do not see a point of that product.

    • @andyhodchild8
      @andyhodchild8 9 месяцев назад +1

      I took a lot of skirting radiators out in the 80's that had been fitted in the 60's and 70's. Everyone was glad to see the back of it.

    • @adrianhoneybill8591
      @adrianhoneybill8591 9 месяцев назад

      @@UrbanPlumbers Interesting to see that the University of Salford have a test 'shed' with two detached houses inside. It is a technology demonstrator and has some of the national builders and heating system companies involved, including Valiant and Discrete Heat. It is a variable environment shed that can produce deep winter to summer conditions with differing humidity levels. Worth a look! It all appears to work with full monitoring. It will appeal to your analytical/engineering outlook.

  • @Richardincancale
    @Richardincancale 9 месяцев назад +2

    Looks like a Wilo pump? I have one on my system with a built-in flow meter - which is nice to do an independent measure of COP :-). Just say no to dictators!!

    • @UrbanPlumbers
      @UrbanPlumbers  9 месяцев назад +2

      Yep that wilo seems to be accurate, great value too ! No to despot dictators ! Let’s starve them by not getting any more gas 🤣