A UK homeowner has installed two air-source heat pumps, a rooftop PV system, a battery, and two variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems at a property in Chester, England.
The “future-proof” installation has been operational since December. It features two 11 kW Toshiba ESTIA air-to-water heat pumps for space heating, domestic hot water, and cooling during the summer months. The heat pumps use R32 as the refrigerant and have a coefficient of performance (COP) of up to 4.88.
One of the ESTIA systems serves around 90 square meters of underfloor heating in the open-plan kitchen and dining area, while the other provides hot water. It also heats the upstairs radiators and towel rails from a 300-liter water tank. The ESTIA indoor units include a 3 kW backup heater to ensure operation at low ambient air temperatures. Toshiba said that the system delivers hot water at 62 C when outdoor temperatures fall to -25 C.
The heat pumps are powered by a 16 kW rooftop PV system from an undisclosed manufacturer. Excess energy is stored in an 11 kW battery energy storage system. Homeowner and renewables consultant David Meseck said the property is now “energy-neutral” during the summer months, with generated and stored energy offsetting electricity consumed from the grid.
“The whole system has been running since December last year and the way it has transformed the house is fantastic,’’ said Meseck. “It was important to get everything right; the project was sized correctly and the equipment installed properly. Together with the other measures, we now have an efficient, all-electric heating system with the added benefit of cooling in summer, and the annual servicing cost is comparable to boiler cover. As well as helping to future-proof our home and reducing energy costs, the changes have added value to the property.”
The system was installed by Mansfield-based Woburn Mechanical Services.
“This is by some distance the biggest domestic project we have undertaken,” said installer Peter Franks. “The customer knew exactly what he wanted and now has a comprehensive heating and cooling system. The Toshiba equipment is excellent in terms of performance and reliability and comes with a seven-year warranty. We wouldn’t be fitting it if we didn’t have complete confidence in it.’’
Image: Toshiba
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Energy Neutral in the summer months is not big deal in Europe.
The problem is the winter months.
Also, what are the “Summer months” ? April – Oct inclusive, or June – Aug inclusive ?
11kW battery – how many kWh? or has the journalist got their units in a twist. + how much did it cost ?
AC in summer’s nice if you like thriving. Give an erstwhile European a break. ♥️ Especially if they license your go-to robotic mole what buries heat storage loop under the house without nicking any of the works that might be there, properly tags any Roman relics it finds etc. Closes off areas that are open plan ventilated as necessary, makes sun tea, etc.
If one heat pump supplies 90 square metres of house, what about rest of house?
Disappointing that the article makes no mention of financial costs and the anticipated % return on investment over the systems’ life cycles, including maintenance costs.
Also nothing on the absolutely essential preparatory work, such as fabric first insulation, draught proofing, removal of cold bridges and controlled mechanical ventilation. Anyone can spend tens of thousands on tech bolt-ons – ASHPs (two!), a new radiator system or UFH for heat distribution, acres of solar panels and highly expensive and carbon- and rare metal intensive batteries or- but most people will never be able to afford this. Such an approach is positively dangerous as any kind of template for decarbonisation and affordable energy saving.
Very good examples of insulative prep work …that I get to look up thank you 🧗🧗🏿♀️🧗🏼♂️🙏 , cold bridges… doesn’t sound posh honestly. Also the next closest positively dangerous option is moving people up fjords where it’s cooler, using natural materials lifts. Say it isn’t so? (Ah, the Cornish Spire Cottages, so inviting.)
Let’s see your counteroffer of ultrasonic showers and radiative and condensing cool air sumps (as opposed to towers that pull air up with heat.) Also green mining schema, and/or valorate dumps.