FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Air Source Heat Pumps or Ground Source Heat Pumps?
This is dictated by the size of property, insulation levels, hot water demand and heat distribution method. Gec-co will provide a free initial assessment for you.
Do you need a System Design?
Yes - this is highly recommended in order to match the heat pump system employed with the needs of the house and its occupants. To avoid shortfalls in output and/or expensive over specification a design taking into account not only the house itself, but in the case of ground source systems also the energy which can be extracted from particular soils is important. Gec-co provide initial surveys and budget costs free of charge.
This is dictated by the size of property, insulation levels, hot water demand and heat distribution method. Gec-co will provide a free initial assessment for you.
How much does a Gecco Heat Pump cost for an average UK house of approximately 160 square metres?
The cost of, for example, an 8 Kw unit is approximately £5,000.00 - plus design and installation and pipe and fittings, and of course the ground collectors for a ground source system.
Can I use radiators or a mix of distribution systems?
Efficiencies are maximized at the lower temperatures required by under floor heating. Radiators can be used, but even high efficiency radiators require flow temperatures of 50 ºC. The heat pump can supply this, but efficiencies are reduced by up to 25%.
Under floor and radiator systems can be mixed by stepping down the heat going to the under floor part of the system.
Low temperature skirting heating offers a viable alternative to under floor and radiators.
GEC-CO's latest range of heat pumps use enhanced gas and components to provide heating flows up to 65-70 degrees C without compromising efficiencies, and can be connected directly to existing radiator systems without the need to re-size and re-fit.
What about the ground works?
Ground collectors (or loops) can either be laid in a trench, or fitted into boreholes if there is insufficient area to trench. The size of the Heat Pump dictates the amount of pipe required underground.
Can I fit a Heat Pump to an existing house?
Yes. The better the insulation the more practical this is.
What about DHW (Domestic Hot Water)?
Yes, heat pumps can also supply your hot water.
Target temperatures of 45 degrees C mean that flow temperatures from the heat pump must reach 50 degrees C so efficiency is compromised.
Can Heat Pumps compete with natural Gas?
Yes, increasingly. The higher cost of Oil and LPG mean that the heat pump running costs compare very favourably with these fuels. As the cost of Gas rises, so the comparisons with heat pump running costs become more favourable. Of course CO2 emission levels are considerably better when using a heat pump.
Can a Heat Pump system integrate with Solar Panels?
Yes, with a beneficial impact on hot water production efficiencies.
What maintenance of a heat pump is required?
Essentially none- the system components do not require regular servicing and no emission checks
are needed.
Should I consider off-peak electricity tariffs?
Certainly for hot water production, and if you have under floor heating. Off-peak is less effective on a radiator circuit which does not benefit from thermal storage.
How much Vat is charged?
Heat pump systems attract VAT at the 5% rate.
What pay-back can I expect?
This varies for each installation, depending on all the factors - which fuel it replaces, heating methods, insulation levels - but for example compared with Oil, usually 6-8 years.
Does the Heat Pump need a secondary boiler?
No, unless it is required by design constraints or client request. A secondary boiler can be incorporated into the heat pump system as back-up/supplement. Solar panels can be linked to the hot water cylinder to provide hot water, supported by heat pump operation.
Are grants available?
Yes - at present for Ground and Air Source Heat Pumps and Solar, if accredited systems and installers are used. DIY systems are not eligible.
What is the Design Life of a Gec-co Heat Pump, and slinky ground arrays?
20 -25 years and anything up to100 years for the ground array.
Do Heat Pumps heat swimming pools?
Yes - heat up from cold is slower than traditional fuels, but long term the system will run more efficiently.