Hello,
I am just starting a development of 5, 2 bedroom flats in London E8. I've never installed ASHPs before and as a result I'm nervous. I'll happily use enviro-concretes, clay blocks and good standards of insulation but the heating and hot water systems HAVE TO work 365 days a year. When its freezing and someone comes in, these flats have to warm up swiftly and if they want a power shower straightaway then the water must be piping hot.
Part of me says 'Stay with good sized Combi gas boilers', after all until our electricity comes from environmentally sound sources, it's arguably a con to say these are green systems. They use electricity sourced predominantly from gas / nuclear / coal / abroad and that won't change for at least another decade. But okay, if they work I'm up for it.
Each flat is 80sq.m. Each will accommodate 2-3 people. Each flat has 1 bath and 2 showers, a dishwasher and a washer dryer. Insulation will be good; part of the building is new, part is a complete refurb with new windows. I'm keen to keep all the internal equipment to a 600 x 600 x 2400mm cupboard.
One thing that concerns me is comments such as 'when it's heating hot water the central heating stops' and 'they don't work well on really cold days' and 'they're noisy when they're working hard'. I also need to size my systems correctly - what would you advise?
I've come here hoping to be reassured. I want to do this but I just can't afford to get this wrong. The people on this forum seems very knowledgeable but equally no one's saying "I'd install these day-in day-out'...there's always a caveat.
I'd really appreciate your advice. Thank you