Why would this be fitted???

[bacon_sandwich]

Bizarre really, my advice would be to turn it off, only use it if boiler breaks down, assuming cylinder has been piped to boiler

 

[Riley]

No it’s not. It’s a stand alone direct air source water heater. So switch it off no hot water. Boiler is a heat only for the CH

 

[Chuck]

My first guess is that whoever refurbished the building was aiming for Part L BR compliance based on a whole building calculation but it turned out short. So they installed one of these as a way to drive down the CO2 input figure.

IMO, the economics of this type of gadget is at best marginal when comparing (gas bill+maintenance) vs (leccy bill+maintenance). You need some other reason (subsidy, grant, BR compliance, green ideology) to tip the balance.

 

[Riley]

Well this is my take entirely. If you’re going for the green option then you have to be seen to improve insulation and general property energy efficiency. This is a 50-60 year old property so you’d have to go gung-ho in terms of improving heat retention and the general heat loss factors of the property. This one has done none of this except throw in an air source cylinder. I wouldn’t even say it’s a great cylinder as it only has 5 year warranty on the cylinder and 2 years on the actual mechanics. Would just seem to be so many better options out there

 

[dan_the_plumber]

Has the cylinder got an additional coil inside piped off the central heating circuit?
Heat pumps generally only heat water to 55 degrees.
In order to take the temperature up to the required 60-65 degrees, an emersion heater or additional coil is often used.

 

[Riley]

This is exactly it mate. There’s a brand new system boiler downstairs which serves just the heating. The cylinder is totally separate. Direct ashp backed up by immersion.

 

[dan_the_plumber]

This is exactly it mate. There’s a brand new system boiler downstairs which serves just the heating. The cylinder is totally separate. Direct ashp backed up by immersion.

Is it new build house?

 

[Riley]

No mate 50-60 years old

 

[marvoni]

...Have a quick google at the refrigerant used lol

Propane is fairly commonly used as refrigerant in most first world countries nowadays, it's efficient and allows for smaller condensor coils than older gasses therefor cheaper price point. The system only contains 140 grams which is less than the amount in a cigarette lighter refil aerosol can and certain precautions are taken such as segregation of electrical switch gear etc.

 

[quality]

Propane is fairly commonly used as refrigerant in most first world countries nowadays, it's efficient and allows for smaller condensor coils than older gasses therefor cheaper price point. The system only contains 140 grams which is less than the amount in a cigarette lighter refil aerosol can and certain precautions are taken such as segregation of electrical switch gear etc.

I agree on some points Hydrocarbon refrigerants have seen a massive surge in their use over the last 10 years although it has nothing to do with the size of these condensor