BintyAndTheBeast

Quick update. we should have a quote arrive in coming days to install a new model Panasonic Aquarea [I think] M series unit which will have: - air to water for underfloor heating and a couple of towel rails we are retaining; - 2x 5 port fan units in our attic running ducted heating/cooling for all of upstairs This has just been signed off by Panasonic so just getting pricing and a quote built. johnmo - can I please thank you for planting the seed, and while I had effectively ruled it out, I am glad I spoke to Panasonic technical over the Christmas break who settled my mind initially that they would be able to out a system together. this doesn’t resolve our outbuilding in the short term, but plan is to wait on the relaxing of permitted development rules to install a standalone unit in there. There was a choice to incorporate this into the Panasonic system we are installing but I had concerns that it would often likely be the only outlet calling for heat/cooling, so running a 9/12kw system to fulfill this would destroy COP/reduce the life of the unit. I hope in a week or so to have signed off, subject to quote.

Thanks again for this. For the noise it was the internal unit he mentioned specifically. I don't remember exactly but we would need the bigger ducting option of 2 available and it was considerably louser in operation than the Daikin option.

Thanks SBMS, that’s a helpful reply. I spoke to my installer and as a Panasonic preferred partner he would be able to get us a 7 year warranty. Unfortunately he doesn’t recommend we install due to a number of issues. The ones I can remember include slow access to parts, poor condensate draining, very loud operation (confirmed from spec sheets against the Vaillant and Daikin units we are planning), poor web/app interface, poor build quality (he spoke about plastic trims going brittle and breaking; fan bearings failing early), and a couple more issues. He was installing roughly similar numbers of Panasonic and Vaillant but failure rates & call backs were multiple times higher on Panasonic so he will now only install if directly requested by the customer. Other points he’d mentioned was that we asked for 6+ ducted zones and Panasonic will only have capacity for 5 unless we went for wall units, which we are keen to avoid. He’s also suggested that as we are going for low and slow heating/cooling the vents rather than forced air from all unit/cassette would be preferable. Apparently the Daikin ducts are significantly quieter too. Im not sure whether he’s a good salesman or if I am gullible but I think the existing plan would be a better option, and also have a nicer finish for my home office. Shame, as this had great potential for a compromise for our wants (I understand they’re not needs). My current thoughts are to do the planned install and come back to install the second external unit when Scotland catches up with the rest of the country to allow 2 units without planning permission.

Thanks for the reply JohnMo. Our installer touched on a single system but said we wouldn't get the same individual room control this way and Daikin was the leader for the ductless option we are looking for upstairs. If we can get the same overall comfort levels and individual room controls for bedrooms then your suggestion is definitely something I would want to consider. What would the differences be between the option we are currently looking at and the option you have suggested please? We are keen to remove radiators from bedrooms and not have wall / ceiling units, so the Daikin option was what was sold to me as a perfect system with only an 8" vent in bedroom ceilings. We have only underfloor heating downstairs so guess we could cool floors on the warmer days too if needed. Our dogs would certainly appreciate that option!

Yes, while house heat loss carried out by Heat Geek of 7.94kW. House but in 2012, is around 320m2 and has great insulation. Rear of house has a lot of windows for solar gain.

Yes, whole house heat loss carried out by Heat Geek of 7.94kW. House but in 2012, is around 320m2 and has great insulation. Rear of house has a lot of windows for solar gain.

Back to back against the gable wall would, of course, be preferable, but we have 2 very large sheds only 2m away from the wall. Installing a heat pump / 2x heat pumps would make this a difficult space to get through with dogs, wheel barrows, etc. Placing the external units where the oil tanks are currently means they are out of sight of everyone.

We are looking to remove fossil fuels and make the house as comfortable as possible. Towel rails are only just passing the output requirements and we dont really want to change them, so bathroom ducts will be used to top up heating only when needed. Heat loss at 7.94kW

Hi all, We are looking to get 2 air source heat pumps installed to our home but council are asking for Noise Impact Assessment to be carried out as part of planning as unlike in England this doesn't fall under permitted development rules. I'm trying to find a way around this to get the project moving again. House: 5 bed detached home in Perth & Kinross Council area. Currently heated by an oil boiler, unvented 300l cylinder, underfloor heating downstairs, radiators upstairs, towel rails in bathrooms. Planned system: Vaillant aerotherm plus 10kw air to water to run downstairs underfloor heating and towel rails, plus new 400l unvented cylinder Daikin 5MXM-A8 air to air ducted unit to provide heating (& cooling) to all bedrooms and the 3x upstairs bathrooms. 8 ports in total. This will also heat (and cool) an outdoor building that I use as an office. Radiators to be removed from bedrooms. Installation: We are installing the 2x outdoor units approx 11m from our gable wall where our oil tanks are currently sited. This will be approx 8+m from utility door and 9+m from bedroom window of our neighbour. Issue: Planning officer has stated environmental health have requested a Noise Impact Assessment to confirm no impact on neighbour. I've only found 1 consultant who can do this and they want £3k+vat. There's no alternative other than to go via Permitted Development Rules of a single heat only heat pump. I'd argued that I can install a single ASHP under PDR and then 6 months later install the second unit as an extension to the existing PDR as no change to fabric and will be using same material. He went away and came back to say that's not acceptable and would be challenged. Question: How do I get round this to get the 2 units installed. I am aware that Scotland has consulted and recommendation is to bring in MCS 020 into PDR north of the border in "early 2026". Does anyone have an inside scoop on this to confirm it will definitely happen? If that's the case I will withdraw the planning application, install the whole lot, except the Daikin outdoor unit, now and have our contractor return to for the unit only when allowable under PDR. This will save having to get the 11m of external pipework and electrics laid twice, which will be installed in a hand dug trench 750mm deep. Does this sound reasonable to allow the work to go ahead and start as planned now, or would the local authority say this isn't acceptable as we have already started the development of the air to air unit? We have a £2k grant available from our mortgage provider which is claimed by submitting a paid invoice by 1/2/26, hence my desire to get moving sooner rather than later. Any help appreciated!