Surely there's got to be a better way forward than retrofitting ASHPs like this...

[MJNewton]

Just watched the following video showing a recent retrofit of an ASHP, and whilst the owner seems pleased as punch I was left flabbergasted. A thought even briefly crossed my mind that maybe it was a prank video!

 

 

I don't know where to focus with my dissatisfaction, but in a nutshell:

 

- Massive grey washing machine plonked so conspicuously in the garden

- Pipes and cables run all over the outside of the property, and 'all over' really isn't much of an exaggeration

- Shoddy workmanship involving unfilled holes, pushfit plumbing on show etc

- Considerably greater system complexity than what was there before. 8 hours of troubleshooting on first use tells me everything I need to know.

- Probably other things too that I've missed as I felt the need to vent somewhere before I'd even finished watching!

 

The owner, who I must say seemed like a lovely bloke and an intelligent one at that, seemed mostly bothered about the empty kitchen cupboard that'll need a bit of tarting up than anything else!

 

Is this what the future holds? Surely we can do better than this.

Edited January 18 by MJNewton

[Kelvin]

It’s an odd looking box for sure. Looks like a salt bin but in grey. You could argue at least they are trying a bit of industrial design away from the square white boxes. ASHP are hard to hide. As for location it’s a small looking back area so there weren’t many other options much like every other new build estate house. Unconvinced about the effectiveness of the ‘soakaway’. If that’s ok I over engineered mine! 
 

I couldn’t deal with all the external pipework and cables but it will be common given the layout of most typical new build estate houses and he already has the same thing for solar and batteries so obviously resigned to the look. Certainly would have been similar in the one I rented. The one I bought would have been an easier install with minimal external pipework and cabling but it would have some. 

[MrPotts]

I wouldn't accept all the ugly external pipework, as soon as the installers said how it was going to be done I would have called a halt to the work. Unfortunately my house would need a similar install hence I won't be getting a heat pump anytime soon.

[Roger440]

9 minutes ago, MrPotts said:

I wouldn't accept all the ugly external pipework, as soon as the installers said how it was going to be done I would have called a halt to the work. Unfortunately my house would need a similar install hence I won't be getting a heat pump anytime soon.

 

Likewise.

 

However, its the obvious solution to minmising intrusive work in a house thats being lived in, as well as reducing costs. Logic suggests this will be quite common. 

 

However, more of a concern is the controls. Why, why, why does it need to be dependant on the internet to work. Just no.

 

Id predict this level of of electronic complexity is going to bite Octupus in the backside. Hard.  They didnt even get past the first day of operation without having to replace the white controller box thing.

 

 

[MJNewton]

1 hour ago, Kelvin said:

It’s an odd looking box for sure. Looks like a salt bin but in grey.

 

I heard someone say it reminded them of a festival urinal... 😂

[Rob99]

35 minutes ago, MJNewton said:

 

I heard someone say it reminded them of a festival urinal... 😂

Complete with something in the middle to aim at 🤣

[Mattg4321]

Wouldn’t have that abomination in the middle of my garden! Maybe tucked out of view but that’s shocking there

[SteamyTea]

I go 2 minutes and 20 seconds into the video and could not put up with the guys tattooed arms waving about.  Even the Heat Geek guy does it.

[IGP]

Yeah the design is like something your mate takes home at the end of night of a few jars, after he hasn’t had anything in a while. 
 

I’m going Viessmann Vitocal 15X-A, partly performance, partly just looks better than that monster. 

[saveasteading]

On the other hand, it is better than tucking it away too tightly enclosed. Here is an example of why I don't trust most supposed expert installers in this subject. Retrofitted by the tenant for a new server room in that room.

Location useless for efficiency  obviously, but also that the rear intakes are jammed tight with leaves. But it's tidy.

[JohnMo]

48 minutes ago, saveasteading said:

But it's tidy.

And covering a window? 

[saveasteading]

51 minutes ago, JohnMo said:

And covering a window? 

Yes. Covers window, minimises fresh air intake (even more so when vehicles park there), difficult to clean or service. If the bracing was hit by a vehicle.....?

 

I met the supposed expert who was sent by the tenant to justify that and other stuff. He installed it....a fitter really , who should not specify or design, and he assured me it was fine. It is going to be relocated but not by his business.

And people say I should trust specialists?

[JohnMo]

1 minute ago, saveasteading said:

fitter really

Think training in general is just pathetic these days. My granddaughter was enrolled in an apprenticeship, I asked how long does that take", she says 6 months.

 

Long gone are the 4 year minimum apprenticeships.

[MikeSharp01]

57 minutes ago, JohnMo said:

 

Long gone are the 4 year minimum apprenticeships

Yes for many things they are. The graduate apprenticeships are 4-5 years long depending on the provider but they are expensive, in terms of day release, for the employer. The uni fees are all paid by the government out the levy income.

 

 

[saveasteading]

1 hour ago, JohnMo said:

asked how long does that take", she says 6 months.

I once condemned some plumbing that was a total mess. How long have you been a plumber? Since last week.