Hybrid Air Source Heat Pump

[Radian]

I have a requirement for running a single UFH loop (~100m) in an outbuilding and was planning to install a gas boiler. It's a bit of an overkill though as I'd successfully heated the space last winter with a 2kW electric convector. I'm still undecided but while looking for small ASHP I came across this  Daikin Altherma 4kw hybrid ASHP 

Not that I was particularly looking for a hybrid design but the price point is turning my head. What I can't figure out at first reading is if it could be used without a gas boiler - it seems possible but I wondered if there was something I'm missing? What's the idea behind a hybrid?

[kommando]

Looking at the manual you could stop it ever using gas by entering a huge gas price so that electricity is always the cheapest way to run.

 

https://www.boilerguide.co.uk/hybrid/daikin-hybrid-heating-system

 

Quote

 

The Altherma hybrid heat pump by Daikin is an intelligent heating system which combines an air-to-water heat pump with a gas condensing boiler.

Its smart programming enables it to monitor the outdoor weather, energy prices and indoor heat to determine whether the heat pump or boiler is the most efficient and economical way to heat your home. When it makes that decision, it automatically switches to the best option.

 

 

What is not detailed is the 4KW, is that 2+2  or 4+4 or another combination. The website has a 28KW heat pump for £1000 so it looks like the prices are wrong.

 

https://www.plumbnation.co.uk/site/daikin-altherma-28kw-hybrid-hydrosplit-heat-pump/

Edited September 1, 2022 by kommando
32 changed to 28

[Radian]

45 minutes ago, kommando said:

The website has a 28KW heat pump for £1000 so it looks like the prices are wrong.

Yes, over £6K elsewhere. 

[JohnMo]

I am in a similar situation (or will be in a couple of months) one solution is a split Aircon.  The other is Aircon where the unit sucks and blows through holes the wall, not as good CoP but around 3 so ok.  Both will do heat and cooling.

 

Also have looked at a dreams ASHP and if I did I would also drive the house UFH from the same unit, would only be looking to sub 30 degrees flow temp, so the CoP would be good and it does cooling straight out the box.  You can get 3kW ones for £1300 ish

[Radian]

Aircon is a very valid option for me as well. I've got space around the back of the building for a split unit and an upstairs room which is in the roof and gets very hot with six roof windows. With PV on the roof, in summer it could work out well but I'm not so sure what heating is like from a comfort POV with aircon in the winter. The downstairs area is a cinema and music room and has already got the UFH loop in. I would prefer to use it if at all possible as it's guaranteed to be quiet. It's also logistically awkward due to layout. The ideal place for an air unit is on a wall already full of shelving. Not sure how the it would work out if surrounded by shelves.

[SteamyTea]

1 hour ago, JohnMo said:

Also have looked at a dreams ASHP

Do you have a link to one please?

[JohnMo]

eBay item 354231297695 is the 3kW, they do a 5kW and bigger ones also.  They do an inverter one also, which controlled via an App.

 

You get a better price if you call them.