I didn't choose Octopus Energy or Heat geek over British Gas for my Heat Pump

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  • Опубліковано 11 гру 2023
  • I contacted at least 10 companies to find the best installer suited to cater for my needs.
    In this video I break down some of the proposals, quotes and who declined.
    This will lay the foundation for why I chose British Gas and felt that on balance they were the best fit for my needs.
    Use this link to sign up to Octopus Energy for a free £50 - share.octopus.energy/bold-mis...
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 198

  • @UpsideDownFork
    @UpsideDownFork  6 місяців тому

    Apologies for the delay. The full British Gas quote breakdown is now live on the channel! ua-cam.com/video/5RDXdbbcAFE/v-deo.html

  • @joshuam5826
    @joshuam5826 7 місяців тому +3

    Really appreciate how informative your videos are. Thank you for the great content around heat pumps, has really helpful both here & on the Facebook groups. I've certainly been asking more questions since. I'm due to begin my retrofit project in late Jan from Oil along with a raft of other energy measures, needing to have a upgraded new three phase supply fitted from the roadside by the DNO to a new meter box externally (32m in total) a smart meter with isolator, consumer unit/tails, smoke alarms, Heat Pump with a wireless controller for auto Adaption function & concrete foundation for it to stand on, hot water cylinder, 12 new rads, pipework, insulation/Plastering in the loft room, solar panels, inverter, battery storage system, Zappi EV charger point, loft boarding, lighting & lastly a new concrete path round the exsternal of the house. So going to have a house full of contractors

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому

      That's going to be a very busy time and like you say, lots of contractors. Good luck! 👍
      If there's anything I've missed in the videos then please let me know.

  • @Muppetkeeper
    @Muppetkeeper 7 місяців тому +1

    I had my heat pump installed back in October 2020. My HW tank was leaking and my boiler 12 years old, radiators approaching 30 years. I had a quote from BG just for a new boiler / HW tank / change to no header tanks, that was £6000. I paid £13.5k upfront for my heat pump, but that included 13 new radiators and new pips where needed, but thanks to aggressive inflation, lo get all of that back through the RHI grant.

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому

      Thanks for the comment. Looks like you made a great choice!

  • @constructioneerful
    @constructioneerful 7 місяців тому +1

    Very interesting and informative.

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому

      Glad you think so!

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  6 місяців тому

      Apologies for the delay. The full British Gas quote breakdown is now live on the channel! ua-cam.com/video/5RDXdbbcAFE/v-deo.html

  • @crm114.
    @crm114. 6 місяців тому

    Nice overview. I couldn’t believe the variation in heat pump size that was being quoted. A lot of cowboy installers out there. The HP should match your heat loss or will run inefficiently. Just got a Valliant Aerotherm 5kw unit for our house installed. So far, it’s brilliant. We are using less than a fifth of the energy to heat our house than with the gas boiler. The heating in the house is also less variable.

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  6 місяців тому

      Thanks for your comment. In defense of the different companies, nearly all of them will do a quick desktop survey before visiting the property.
      They base their assessment on a previous EPC and before the insulation upgrades that I had made.
      Of the companies that did visit in person and conducted a full heat loss survey, they did reach the same heat loss figure of around 5800W.
      Many more videos are on my channel detailing our full installation and how we are running the heat pump as well as our financials of running costs.
      Take care!

  • @user-ci4fy2um1q
    @user-ci4fy2um1q 7 місяців тому +1

    Very interested to hear about your heat pump journey with, on time frame, was almost identical to mine. Getting quotes early this year and having just had the system installed. A Vaillant arotherm plus 10kW with 300l Unistore cylinder and Vaillant controls. I also found that I mostly knew more than the suppliers I talked to but that didn't bother me much as I have always done my own plumbing and was confident of what I wanted. I have to say that I am blow away by the efficiency of the system so far. I also have 10mm microbore to most rads which is no problem at all ( and it was -2C outside the first day after the install). My system is somewhat oversized, based on my measurements, but I could not get the surveyor to adjust the air changes in the heat loss calculation, which I think is the reason for the discrepancy. However, so far, this doesn't seem to affect efficiency.

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому +3

      Very interesting! Air changes were also something that the surveyors were not interested in adjusting. I think that's why mine came in 5% and 4% lower than the 2 professional surveys carried out.
      I would have liked a 5kW unit really and I'm sure that's what I would have got with a heat geek, but so far the 7kW seems to be doing really well at modulating down, even on these warmer winter days we're now having. I guess the buffer tank also helps in this regard and will prevent cycling as the outside temps get warmer.
      My biggest bugbear about the whole process is how unfriendly it currently is to Joe Public.
      You really have to have a technical mind and your wits about you, to successfully make the transition from a boiler to a heat pump.
      The market seems very young and raw. There are many people out there who really know their stuff, but they're not even a drop in the ocean compared to the amount of homes that will need to be converted in the next decade.
      Even with the big companies like Octopus and BG, you need to know the right questions to ask and you have to push them on some things to get the best outcome.
      Anyway, i'll step down off my high horse. Many more heat pump related videos coming over the next couple of weeks.

    • @user-ci4fy2um1q
      @user-ci4fy2um1q 7 місяців тому

      Totally agree

  • @stuartornum
    @stuartornum 7 місяців тому +3

    I’m going through the same thing with BG now, coming over next week to do a full heat loss calc. I agree with what you’re saying, it’s a new dept, a bit rough around the edges but will to be accommodating. For example I want a L3 heat meter installed from OpenEnergyMonitor… BG said “yeah, we’ll fit it”. Prices are all shocking though with the grant, they should be removing VAT from the bill, however they just increase the ex VAT number. You can buy the HP (inc VAT) from your local merchant cheaper than they are supplying it supposedly ex VAT. Crooks.

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому +3

      I've shared several previous videos about BG but my next video which I'll hopefully have ready this evening or tomorrow will go through the BG surveying and quoting process along with pricing and showing my real world documentation as examples.
      Stay tuned and you might find this video helpful ua-cam.com/video/xOUBlKTynes/v-deo.html

    • @JohnnyMotel99
      @JohnnyMotel99 7 місяців тому

      Will you challenge BG on the HP price vs local merchant price?

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому +3

      @@JohnnyMotel99 I don't think it's an issue. The kit was cheaper on my quote. I did price up the pump, cylinder, buffer, main controller, sensocomfort and sensonet module, without any valves, pumps, pipework or other bits and BG still came in cheaper than the merchant price for me 👍

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  6 місяців тому

      Apologies for the delay. The full British Gas quote breakdown is now live on the channel! ua-cam.com/video/5RDXdbbcAFE/v-deo.html

  • @vertogenltd-variablepitchv1168
    @vertogenltd-variablepitchv1168 7 місяців тому

    Having a large Barn conversion with heat pumps. Having 2 large conservatories 8x6 Meters with a U value of ZERO, they where replaced with Over spec insulated buildings.
    like I suggested, 1st task INSULATION. My heat pumps in 2007 used large amounty of underground pipes and the installation was around 40K.

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому

      Yes, I have covered that in my other videos about how we insulated. Especially the conservatory roof. I did a whole series about that project.
      By the way, a U Value of zero means that it transfers no heat. Higher numbers are worse. Your conservatory may have had a U value of 3 or higher.

  • @Biglenton
    @Biglenton 7 місяців тому +2

    The size of heat pumps you were quoted for seems to vary quite a lot. Really surprising to see 12 and 14kw units. Makes a big difference on price of the job. Looking forward to watching the install video by British Gas (as an ex BG employee and current heat geek)

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому +1

      Yes, doesn't give confidence when they are all over the place like that. As an aside, the new heat Geek tool to give a rough idea on cost etc thinks my house has a heat loss of 4kW!
      I'm just finishing up the detailed video about the BG quote but the installation documentary is already live on the channel!

    • @Biglenton
      @Biglenton 7 місяців тому

      @@UpsideDownFork yes watching it now. I would have guess that you would be more about 4/5kw looking at the house. ‘New build style’ houses are normally pretty good.
      You’ll probably be able to tell if the unit is a bit over sized by how much it cycles on and off but a 7kw shouldn’t be too much over. Heat engineer is a good accurate software for heatloss but you have to pay per survey.
      The job BG did looks like you got an absolute bargain. Just all of the parts and materials would probably have cost me in excess of £10k not to mention 4 guys a day for over a week. Even if they were all employees that would have cost me £1000 a day for all four.
      Looks a pretty good job so far, not got to the end yet but for what you paid it’s an absolute steal. The proof will be in the scop over the next few really cold months

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому

      @@Biglenton thanks for your comments. So far the efficiency is looking good and I have no doubt that they made a significant loss on my installation.
      A few bits rough round the edges but it seems to be working well.
      Last week I looked and the app said 480 hours running time and 280 cycles, which I think is really good from my research. I guess the buffer tank helps here?

    • @Biglenton
      @Biglenton 7 місяців тому +1

      @@UpsideDownFork would think the buffer would have been because of the microbore and possibly overall low system volume to make sure you have enough volume for a defrost cycle. No other reason for a buffer at your property really, they normally slightly lower efficiency.
      Agree, towards the end of the video the finish wasn’t great, that lagging outside is a bit rubbish but still great price and also great equipment. Rather that than the octopus units from what I’ve heard.

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому

      @@Biglenton I've got 6 large radiators downstairs and another 8 throughout the rest of the house so I don't think volume is an issue.
      BG just seem adamant that every system will be fitted with a buffer, guess it hides any mistakes with calculations along the way 🤔
      I'll see how the winter goes and maybe get the pump removed and then piped on the return as a volumiser next year 👍

  • @_Dougaldog
    @_Dougaldog 7 місяців тому +2

    Another interesting video, thank you for posting it, I can now set aside my guilt trip of going straight for the BG quote :-)
    In terms of choosing to go for a heat pump my journey was similar in doing a lot of online research and getting up to comfortable speed on most things heat pump related. With this in mind & £7.5k grant the heat pump option for me was a no brainer really at

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому

      Good to hear! Congratulations on doing your homework and making a good decision to swap to a heat pump. Many more videos are on the way!

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  6 місяців тому

      Apologies for the delay. The full British Gas quote breakdown is now live on the channel! ua-cam.com/video/5RDXdbbcAFE/v-deo.html

  • @Gazmaz
    @Gazmaz 7 місяців тому +1

    Reference the Heat Geek installers, I got a similar issue, one Heat Geek would charge to come out and survey only knock that cost off if I went with him, Octopus did the same but would pay that cost back whatever I did, another heat geek guy keeps promising to come and survey but 6 months later he still hasn’t appeared even though he keeps contacting me asking when I’m free. It seems that getting a good installer is almost the hardest thing.

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому +1

      Wow, I see i'm not alone. I really wanted to go for a Heat Geek and was prepared to pay the premium, but once i'd received the cheap quote from British Gas, it was too difficult to resist.
      From a purely financial point of view, I would never recoup the extra investment through marginally greater efficiency and lower running costs, so i'm not yet regretting my decision.
      More content in my other videos about the costs etc and more videos are on the way!

  • @MrKlawUK
    @MrKlawUK 7 місяців тому

    did you say how much BG came back with? And your heat loss is 12kw? That seems high. Have you considered not heating the conservatory as part of the fabric of the building by dooring it off? curious how much difference that would make and any other changes to get more insulation etc?

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому

      Thanks for commenting.
      In my next video I will be going through the BG quote in detail.
      I have now fully insulated the conservatory with a 0.12 U value roof system from Leka which I have detailed in other videos on my channel.
      I've also increased my loft insulation from 150mm to 350mm.
      The total heat loss of the property is now around 6kW.
      The 12kW estimates were desktop surveys, rather than a full on site heat loss calculation so they can be taken with a pinch of salt 👍

    • @MrKlawUK
      @MrKlawUK 7 місяців тому

      @@UpsideDownFork nice. Should be a nice single fan unit so no plannign permission. Looking forward to more info :)

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому

      In my case i needed planning because of siting it within 1M of the boundary. Fully detailed in my other videos that are already live on the channel 👍

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  6 місяців тому

      Apologies for the delay. The full British Gas quote breakdown is now live on the channel! ua-cam.com/video/5RDXdbbcAFE/v-deo.html

  • @normanboyes4983
    @normanboyes4983 7 місяців тому

    Absolutely excellent video which covered all the bases. It highlights how essential it is to be an informed consumer in this market where not all installers are necessarily up to the job. A heat pump installation is not a project a consumer should ever just stumble into.
    At the end of the day this is not rocket science and there has never been a better time to get to grips with a ‘new’ subject - with YT Heat Geeks Glynn Hudson John Cantor and Urban Plumber as four stand out resources as well as some of the dedicated forums (like Heat Pumps UK). All you need is the attitude and application to learn.

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому

      Thanks for your comment.
      My biggest bugbear about the whole process is how unfriendly it currently is to Joe Public.
      You really have to have a technical mind and your wits about you, to successfully make the transition from a boiler to a heat pump.
      The market seems very young and raw. There are many people out there who really know their stuff, but they're not even a drop in the ocean compared to the amount of homes that will need to be converted in the next decade.
      Even with the big companies like Octopus and BG, you need to know the right questions to ask and you have to push them on some things to get the best outcome.
      Anyway, i'll step down off my high horse. Many more heat pump related videos coming over the next couple of weeks.

    • @normanboyes4983
      @normanboyes4983 7 місяців тому

      @@UpsideDownFork You are absolutely right - but - as a consumer you do not necessarily have to have a technical background just an attitude (and determination) to learn.

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому +1

      @@normanboyes4983 Yes, I agree. A considerable amount of time and effort is required. Maybe there will be a future where the consumer's part is easier?

  • @datoon83
    @datoon83 7 місяців тому

    We had a BG heat loss calculation at 7kw compared to 11kw via Octopus.
    The person doing the survey suggested upgrading and downgrading all my radiators upstairs!

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому

      That's a big discrepancy. Personally I would like to see both their working to find out how they ended up so far apart!
      Regarding radiator changes, why would they suggest 'downgrading' any radiators?

    • @datoon83
      @datoon83 7 місяців тому +1

      @@UpsideDownFork I went with octopus in the end. It was the BG engineers 2nd visit, they struggled to answer the questions I had. Such as why downgrade radiators.

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому

      @@datoon83 hope it's working out well for you and the pump is not oversized 👍

  • @Ben-gm9lo
    @Ben-gm9lo 7 місяців тому +1

    Awesome video, thank you very much. I had taken a look at Heatpunk, but the website failed to accept a password on registration and then wouldn't let me reset the password although it said I was registered. However, today it let me get on and I have had a lovely afternoon measuring up and inputting my house's info.
    TLDR, you got me to go back to Heatpunk, it worked and now I have a basic report. What a lovely tool (Heatpunk, not you!).
    Appreciate your sharing, looking forward to the next video.

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому

      You're welcome!

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  6 місяців тому

      Apologies for the delay. The full British Gas quote breakdown is now live on the channel! ua-cam.com/video/5RDXdbbcAFE/v-deo.html

    • @Ben-gm9lo
      @Ben-gm9lo 6 місяців тому

      Thanks, watched, enjoyed, commented. British Gas coming to survey my place early Jan! You are a star.@@UpsideDownFork

  • @calmeilles
    @calmeilles 5 місяців тому

    I'd have been seriously tempted to put some triple glazed glass doors in the "gap" leading to the conservatory and given up attempting to heat it beyond frost protection during the colder months.
    More generally why do people build conservatories then treat them like any other room? In many cases a conventional extension would serve the same purpose much better.

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  5 місяців тому +1

      Yes, we were seriously tempted to door that space up! Unfortunately with 3 kids, we really needed the space to be usable all year round.
      When we made the offer on this new to us house, the energy prices had not yet rocketed up and we had assumed the electric underfloor heating to be adequate.
      Well big lesson learned.
      The warm roof on that room now makes the space into a truly comfortable extension all year round. Nearly a year since we fitted the new roof and it's been the best investment in this home yet.
      People selling conservatories should really have further regulation/restriction or something to try and prevent the methods they use to sell an unachievable dream.
      Thanks for the comment.

  • @salman79uk
    @salman79uk 6 місяців тому

    Hi, thanks for this video, quick question did British Gas give you any say in which model of heat pump to install, in particular is the model they installed reversible so can be used for cooling in the summer?

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  6 місяців тому +1

      Hello there, I somewhat covered this in my other videos.
      I had to take a Vaillant over a Daikin unit because of the noise assessment and proximity to neighbours.
      The more expensive and premium Vaillant will do cooling but as I understand it, it's not very effective with standard radiators in use.
      My heat pump is the same model that Heat Geek use for their cooking test.
      Hope that helps 👍

    • @user-wd6zt3eq9x
      @user-wd6zt3eq9x 6 місяців тому

      In my case they didn’t give me a choice and it’s not reversible. Mine ( still to be installed awaiting planning permission) is an 8kw Daikin altherma 3.

    • @salman79uk
      @salman79uk 6 місяців тому

      @@user-wd6zt3eq9x Are you sure, I think you will find the Daikin alterma 3 is reversible?

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  6 місяців тому

      @@user-wd6zt3eq9x Thanks for commenting. Did you enquire about upgrading to the Vaillant? They won't offer other models as a matter of course as the Daikin always bring the more competitive price to the customer.

    • @user-wd6zt3eq9x
      @user-wd6zt3eq9x 6 місяців тому

      Can’t see a mechanism to reply to your reply. But re the Daikin Altherma 3 it’s possible there is a reversible version, but the one specified for me isn’t.

  • @user-hk5zk7kp9i
    @user-hk5zk7kp9i 7 місяців тому +2

    signed up with BG back in July For ashp install agreed price etc
    as of today still not installed phoned yet again to find out when this may happen.
    as before told it is planing dept and that will contact me when that are ready
    when I pointed out 5 months in planing a bit much.
    i was told it was a waiting game. I am now arranging for other installers for quotes.
    not happy with BG at all

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому

      That's a shame to hear your experience. I first enquired with them in January, accepted quote in March and Installation happened for me in November. I did need to get planning permission and also could have had install quicker if gone with Daikin gear instead of Vaillant, but yes, it was a long wait.
      From what I understand, they were sub-contracting the heat pump work and stopped doing that as they hired and trained in house teams to do the work.
      It seems like a complete lottery as to where you are located and who they have recruited in that area.
      More info in some of my other videos too. Good luck on your journey!

    • @user-hk5zk7kp9i
      @user-hk5zk7kp9i 7 місяців тому

      @@UpsideDownFork to be fair a good price but the wait with no indication as to what's going on is just frustrating and does not bode well for service

    • @_Dougaldog
      @_Dougaldog 7 місяців тому +1

      My survey was done August, I accepted contract September, within a month a December install date was given, slipped to January, and now February.
      In Scotland there's a nine month window to complete works and claim grant (otherwise will need resubmitting). No planning permissions needed (within permitted development guidelines).
      I'm hopeful that all will work out within timescale.
      My thought is that Scottish Gas (as BG is badged here) will be around long enough to honour any warranties, and their guaranteed performance (or money back) gives additional reassurance as to their installation & design abilities.
      As an aside, I've noticed OVO (who are trialling HP installations) are suggesting they'll be using Heat Geek as partners, and a tariff of 15p/kW 24/7 through a separate meter for HP.
      Interesting times we live in.

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому

      @@_Dougaldog please let us know you get on 👍

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  6 місяців тому +1

      Apologies for the delay. The full British Gas quote breakdown is now live on the channel! ua-cam.com/video/5RDXdbbcAFE/v-deo.html

  • @heatpump8566
    @heatpump8566 7 місяців тому +1

    How can cinergi offer you a 14kw option and a 10kw? Strange

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому

      Probably because of how the heat pump naming works. Some output 14kw at 7 degrees outside whilst others will rate it is 14kw at -5 degrees outside.
      Hopefully there will be some standardisation going forward.

  • @edwardpickering9006
    @edwardpickering9006 25 днів тому

    What I don't understand is how most of these companies did quotes without every doing a heat loss survey...

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  25 днів тому

      Probably more accurate to think of them as remote estimates using my EPC and photos of the property. Each of them was subject to an in person survey before finalising the quote.

  • @BerlietGBC
    @BerlietGBC 7 місяців тому

    Good luck with BG , they mite talk the talk, but let’s see how good the work is, I know I sound negative but I’ve seen there work over the years, I hope I’m surprised

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому +1

      I've already documented the installation. Let me know what you think. ua-cam.com/video/xOUBlKTynes/v-deo.html

    • @markkunes9711
      @markkunes9711 7 місяців тому +2

      We had our solar panels put in by BG 12 years ago. A bit of a nightmare and at one time 12 people here - electrician two teams, fitters, scaffolders, chippies, solar 'expert' and so on - I showed them the Monty Python gas cooker sketch because it reminded me of this (wrong panels delivered), asbestos discovered (it was concrete), people queuing to do their bit:- ua-cam.com/video/8dVkdCQCAS0/v-deo.html&ab_channel=CaioBadner but it seems others had already showed them it for some reason - all was OK in the end.

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому

      @@markkunes9711 A great sketch, it's been a few years since i've watched it! Our heat pump installation was a little like that I guess if you've already seen my other videos about that!

    • @BerlietGBC
      @BerlietGBC 7 місяців тому

      @@markkunes9711 I picked a independent local installer for my solar , was brilliant him and a roofer one day the electrician the next day job done

    • @markkunes9711
      @markkunes9711 7 місяців тому

      Hi - I saw this video first but have now seen the instal one - very good. Our solar panels promised 2 day installation took 13 - wrong design from Ist Solar expert, stopping work for 'asbestos; to be tested, faulty scaffolding and so on @@UpsideDownFork

  • @caravancapers5091
    @caravancapers5091 7 місяців тому

    I tried British Gas but they couldn’t help as mine is a brand new self build and still being built.

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому

      In that case you would definitely want to work with an engineer who can design you a perfect system. You have the perfect blank canvas to hide everything away neatly.
      Good luck.

  • @CrashUK28
    @CrashUK28 7 місяців тому

    would be better off getting a warm roof installed on that conservatory you going to find it hard to keep it warm with heat pump. Also why do what a heat pump?

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому +1

      You're correct. I have fitted a Leka roof on the conservatory. You can see that project here : ua-cam.com/video/L9I8XhJIfmo/v-deo.html
      It's now as warm as the rest of the house.
      If you watch the other heat pump videos on my channel then you will see that a heat pump is cheaper to run than a gas boiler, warmer and more comfortable as well as greener.
      If you have the space for one then there doesn't appear to be any downsides against a gas boiler.

  • @kavanobrien6547
    @kavanobrien6547 7 місяців тому

    How or where do you go to get the government grant for the heat pump scheme, does everyone get it or do you have to qualify by some means test ?

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому

      The grant is not means tested so anyone can get it. In England it is applied for by your installer and credited to your final bill.

    • @kavanobrien6547
      @kavanobrien6547 7 місяців тому

      @@UpsideDownFork thank you kind soul.

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому

      @@kavanobrien6547 good luck to you. I believe in Scotland it's a more complex situation for the homeowner. 👍

    • @kavanobrien6547
      @kavanobrien6547 7 місяців тому

      @@UpsideDownFork is it because those politicians have bankrupted that part of the UK ? I feel sorry for our cousins up there who have been given a false dream for independence from politicians who were only interested in getting money for jags and camper vans and making their future secure. You can’t take it with you on the final destination = the Egyptians tried but got robbed , sorry I digress, may I ask how much it cost with bills with the heat pump compared with cost from gas or are you going to do future videos covering this subject?

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому

      @@kavanobrien6547 I have started documenting the running costs here : ua-cam.com/video/dqA62N2H2sQ/v-deo.html
      I will continue to post monthly updates going forward.

  • @garywright8846
    @garywright8846 7 місяців тому +1

    You did very well not getting a Midea, Vailiant is excellent as is Daikin and Mitsubishi, all the others are to be avoided

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому

      Thanks for sharing your perspective.

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  6 місяців тому

      Apologies for the delay. The full British Gas quote breakdown is now live on the channel! ua-cam.com/video/5RDXdbbcAFE/v-deo.html

  • @Tim_Small
    @Tim_Small 7 місяців тому +2

    That conservatory is a killer. If you don't have the funds to scrap it and build a proper extension, then why not put some doors on it?

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому

      You can see how I tackled the conservatory in my other videos here : ua-cam.com/play/PLxiY5khGACu33-pgH-1AkLKSZ7uFEQA6E.html

    • @Tim_Small
      @Tim_Small 7 місяців тому +1

      @@UpsideDownFork I can see the attraction of wanting to keep it, but the problem is that even with the roof insulated, it's still a massive heatsink - conservatories should only be seasonal rooms in the UK climate. It wouldn't pass building regs as an extension because the U value of the "walls" are similar to an uninsulated solid brick wall. I know someone who did a similar thing with a conservatory (although their's had some doors on it). A few years later they ended up demolishing and building an extension anyway.

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому

      @@Tim_Small maybe we will in the future, but for now the 2 large vertical radiators overcome the heat loss and we're very warm in there, whereas last winter it was unbearable, even with 2kW electric underfloor heating and 3kW of infrared patio heater!

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому

      @@Tim_Small as a side note, I don't know what roof your friends put on, but as I learned during that project, most insulated roof kits for conservatories are junk and if they're not installed perfectly then the insulation gaps can be a significant problem. 👍

  • @onlineo2263
    @onlineo2263 7 місяців тому

    Wow that was tiring just watching this. Thst is far too long a process just to get a quote, and quite frankly I don't think I could be as clued up as you before going into this process.

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому +1

      Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately I agree that the process is not friendly to consumers, at all.
      As the market matures, I hope that will change drastically.

  • @1mikechung
    @1mikechung 7 місяців тому

    For every unit of electric use , you get more normally 3 back, that’s where you gain. Get your insulation out 1st. I have had heat pumps since 2007.

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому

      Thanks for taking the time to comment.
      We are aiming to get a SCoP of 4, but we'll see how that goes next year!
      We did a few bits of insulation to help lower the heat loss of our property.

  • @dontuno
    @dontuno 7 місяців тому +2

    I might yet view your entire video but given the stress that BG put me and my mother in law through, I will NEVER deal with that vile company. They could offer to pay for the whole installation and I would still not deal with them such is my utter hatred of BG!

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому +1

      Fair point. I think that's the trouble with such a massive company as BG. It is a total lottery of who you get on the phone, who visits you etc.
      Your experience could be great, or terrible or anywhere in between.
      I have published a dozen or so videos about heat pumps, I hope they help you inform yourself, even if you choose a different avenue like Octopus or a local independent installer.

  • @lhfloors
    @lhfloors 7 місяців тому

    Hi what was the total cost thanks

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому +1

      For the BG quote? Big reveal in my next video!

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  6 місяців тому

      Apologies for the delay. The full British Gas quote breakdown is now live on the channel! ua-cam.com/video/5RDXdbbcAFE/v-deo.html

  • @Allegedly2right
    @Allegedly2right 7 місяців тому +1

    Really good video they have did a proper job some amount of hours put in by British Gas can’t fault them,my heat pump was thrown in complain all you want MCS they all throw you a deaf ear,installers changed their name that old chestnut left me high and dry with a very expensive system to run.Free gift haha should have known better government grant.Doomed haha 10/10

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому +1

      Sorry to hear that.
      There's plenty of people complaining about British Gas but the job is better than a lot I've seen online! Watch my other videos for more heat pump content.

  • @kevinjackson6387
    @kevinjackson6387 7 місяців тому

    I won’t have one to much monies far more exspensive than a combi boiler ,all that mess fitting cylinder and where to put it ,and might have to change rads ,

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому +2

      They are not a great solution for everyone but if you already have a cylinder and an aging boiler then they are a great option and in our case, actually worked out cheaper than replacing with gas.

    • @kevinjackson6387
      @kevinjackson6387 7 місяців тому

      @@UpsideDownFork I can see them working in new builds when the insulation la up to scratch,but average joe blogs is trying to save monies not pay out more .Ele is far more exspensive than gas ,but if you have monies to waste fair enough ,better to put more insulation into your house first before you do anything anyway .

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому +1

      @@kevinjackson6387 This is 400% efficient so the running costs are lower than a gas boiler. They will work well in any property as well as the radiators are sized correctly.
      You can see my data here : ua-cam.com/video/dqA62N2H2sQ/v-deo.html
      Yes, we also topped up our loft to 350mm insulation as well as putting a warm roof on our conservatory with a U Value of 0.12.
      Thanks.

    • @kevinjackson6387
      @kevinjackson6387 7 місяців тому

      @@UpsideDownFork ok but the cost of fitting it all so much more than a new efficient combi ,it just don’t make sence to me ,I’ll stick with what I know .

    • @mikeypc3592
      @mikeypc3592 7 місяців тому

      ​@@kevinjackson6387so why exactly are you here then?

  • @bm8641
    @bm8641 6 місяців тому +1

    The best on the market today Jan 2024 are Daikin, Mitsubishi and Vaillant. All these can operate at -15C outdoor temperature and will supply 65 and 70C easily to your rads even at -5,-6 C outdoor temp. All other manufacturers are really bad and to be avoided like plague. European and American manufacturers are really bad. A big gap between written specs and real performance, I guess the industry must adapt and regulate better.

  • @Kfiskplumbing
    @Kfiskplumbing 7 місяців тому

    Midea is one of the best units on market. Compared to a mitsubishi they are so much better.

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому

      Yes, I wish I had known a little more about them before receiving the quotes but i've subsequently learnt that they are tried and tested!

  • @8skellerns
    @8skellerns 5 місяців тому

    Would never use a legacy company for a heatpump like BG, Scottish Power etc. They have had their days ripping off the public.

  • @m23605
    @m23605 7 місяців тому

    Heat geeks are expensive. And like in your first quote, you have to pay for all their time. They can get much more money working on mansions or hospitals and they don't have to crawl around lofts or worry about neighbours.

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому

      That's the privileged position of when demand outstrips supply 👍

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  6 місяців тому

      Apologies for the delay. The full British Gas quote breakdown is now live on the channel! ua-cam.com/video/5RDXdbbcAFE/v-deo.html

  • @Medea007
    @Medea007 7 місяців тому

    Why so secretive about BG quote?

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому

      Not secretive. Just didn't want the video to be an hour long. I've made a complete dedicated video about the BG quote and their process and it will be live shortly.

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  6 місяців тому

      Apologies for the delay. The full British Gas quote breakdown is now live on the channel! ua-cam.com/video/5RDXdbbcAFE/v-deo.html

  • @Orthodoxuk
    @Orthodoxuk 7 місяців тому +1

    No matter what company, why choose a heat pump at all, well you'll learn, eventually?

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому +1

      Haha, maybe you should watch all of my videos. I go through many reasons why I wanted a heat pump and since having it installed I'm happy with the decision.

    • @onlyme972
      @onlyme972 27 днів тому

      Heat pump not much saving compared to Pv solar. Most of the year I gain feeding power back to the grid. My electric combi has separate heating and instant hot water systems so i only use the heating when needed.

  • @Shutityou
    @Shutityou 7 місяців тому +1

    Wow. Get rid of British Gas asafp. They are absolutely horrific when you need customer support. I mean just unforgivably poor

    • @j.j8114
      @j.j8114 7 місяців тому

      Load of rubbish! Never had an issue! You pay £10 a month and expect the world yeh?

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому

      Hope I never have to worry about that. But so far, they have been responsive and prompt.
      Keep in mind that the new 'British Gas Zero' team dedicated to heat pumps only do that, they are not involved in the gas boiler side of the business.

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  6 місяців тому

      Apologies for the delay. The full British Gas quote breakdown is now live on the channel! ua-cam.com/video/5RDXdbbcAFE/v-deo.html

  • @grantmidd
    @grantmidd 7 місяців тому +1

    Unfortunately heat pumps are not better for the environment, burning the gas directly at 80-90% efficiency is better than the max 50% efficiency of the power plants.
    I have an eco home, I still use gas and a log burner.
    Because of the solar and wind I generate I am more carbon efficient than if I had a heat pump.

    • @rosssherlock
      @rosssherlock 7 місяців тому +2

      You've demonstrated a fundamental lack of understanding of heat pumps and the basic calculations that underpin why they are beneficial. A heat pump with a COP of 4 (which is reasonable for a modern correctly sized unit), would need electricity to be produced at circa 20% efficiency to be equivalent to burning gas for heat at home. As for log burners, at best they are 80% efficient, realistically somewhere in the 70% range. If you have solar and wind as you say, it's madness to continue to burn gas and wood when you could heat your home at potentially no cost!

    • @_Dougaldog
      @_Dougaldog 7 місяців тому

      If 50% lost in UK grid, heat pumps if correctly installed are still more efficient with gas generated electricity if SCOP (Seasonal COP, the average over year) is greater than 1.6 for your 80% efficient gas boiler, or 1.8 for your 90% efficient gas boiler (UK gas boiler average is 83%).
      Typical SCOP for a heat pump is 3.7.
      A heat pump could also make very good use of your home generated electricity perhaps negating your need for gas or logs.
      In North of Scotland electricity is often 100% renewable; likewise South Scotland, NW & NE England are very close to Carbon zero with the aid of Nuclear supplies. An application 'National Grid ESO' gives good estimates.
      So in most respects heat pumps are better for environment than burning fossil fuels or trees.

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому +1

      Ditto what the others have said.
      The grid continues to become greener. Gas never will.

  • @over-engineered
    @over-engineered 7 місяців тому +15

    I don’t see the point of heat pumps UNTIL the electricity supply is green.

    • @maxsec2
      @maxsec2 7 місяців тому +16

      still better than burning stuff directly.

    • @richardlphillips
      @richardlphillips 7 місяців тому +28

      If you ran heatpumps with a COP of 3 average and the supply was 100% gas. You would use about a third less gas for the same heat output. Given the UK grid is about 46% low carbon, it does make sense to do it before the whole grid is transformed. Heating is the biggest challenge for the grid though, so significant upgrades will be required, but its a transition over decades.

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  7 місяців тому +7

      @@richardlphillips Thanks for covering the important facts.

    • @markkunes9711
      @markkunes9711 7 місяців тому

      Its 45% green or thereabouts and growing. What will you use instead gas? But your post got me thinking about how much energy is lost from the power station to your house. For electricity about 7% is lost and for gas only 0.3% (found indirectly from here) :- www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/docs/2015/06/energy_efficiency_directive_report_-_final_for_publication.pdf Gas losses are from leakage and pumping for Electricity mainly through losses in the wires.

    • @MCow123
      @MCow123 7 місяців тому +6

      Plus it becomes even more sensible when combined with solar/battery installations. Heat pumps should not be looked at in isolation but as one piece of a wider jigsaw puzzle, in my opinion

  • @TheDickPuller
    @TheDickPuller 4 місяці тому

    You’re wrong about your Hot Water requirement mate. You quoted Regulations dictating Storage of HW. But these are grossly overstated in reality. Modern day living, a household uses significantly less HW.
    Today most people use showers & not Baths, Dishwashers & Washing Machines Heat their own water. Even modern Baths are tiny to what they were size wise back in the day.
    Plus, on Low Temperature Systems; Heating a large Cylinder is a huge cost implication.
    Thanks for sharing this video, but you really did waste a lot of people’s time - which I’m sure they’ll delighted with when they watch this😂😂😂

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  4 місяці тому

      Thanks for sharing your opinion, mate.
      MIS3005-D regulations came into force with an MCS installation on 1st April 2022.
      If we take the average shower rate at 10-15 litres per minute and average shower length is 8 minutes, we can quickly understand why 45L per person per day is recommended 👍
      Not so much of an issue when the hot water was stored at 60+ degrees and was mixed down considerably, but now that we are storing hot water at 45-50 degrees, there isn't much cold water mixing happening, compared to as you say "back in the day".
      An average bath holds 180L if filled to the overflow.
      G2 shows that they are trying to restrict consumption down to 125L of total water per person, per day through efficiency improvements.

    • @UpsideDownFork
      @UpsideDownFork  4 місяці тому

      HP will use 1.5-2.5kWh per day to heat a cylinder of between 200-250L. That's pennies, even if you're on an expensive tariff.
      Time it on cheap rate and it could be as low as 11p per day for a full tank.

    • @TheDickPuller
      @TheDickPuller 4 місяці тому

      A HW Cylinder at 45-50°C, mate you’d only store HW at that temperature if you want your family to get Legionella!!
      www.hse.gov.uk/healthservices/legionella.htm
      The anti-legionella cycles on ASHP systems are grossly inadequate in most cases, I know because I’ve tested for it!!.....Plus, any ASHP in Winter will struggle to heat to 50°C & be in de-frost regularly, ALL ASHPs will only be efficient running at a lower temperature, don’t let the used car salesmen HP guys tell you any different. Then there’s the consideration of the 10°C incoming mains water supply in Winter, making your costs of heating a HW Cylinder drivel, as the Delta T is considerably greater!!
      I’m not speaking on a theories basis, I’m speaking from experience. Like many others, it’s very unlikely you’ll heat your home to 21°C on a frosty day in Winter, it’ll cost a fortune & be farting at thunder. Unless you’re fitting a Hybrid system??....In which case you need to factor in the Gas consumption in your costs.
      By the MANY quotes you’ve had it sounds like the size of ASHP you require is very border line, for a 240vac Single Phase supply. Are you getting your 80-100amp incoming supply upgraded??