Bungalow, hosted by Graham

I had a 12kW Vaillant Heat Pump, 13.5 kWh GivEnergy All-in-One Battery, and a 7.04 kW solar array installed. The installation took place in May 2024.

Before installation, the installer conducted a heat loss assessment to determine the required output for each radiator in the house. As a result, I replaced half of the radiators (8 in total) with more efficient models that are similar in size but provide a higher output than the originals.

In addition, the micro-bore pipes connected to some of the older radiators were upgraded with larger pipes. This work was completed through access under the floor, minimising disruption inside the house.

I also took advantage of a grant to install underfloor insulation and upgrade the loft insulation. The property already had cavity wall insulation in place.

The entire system installation, including the heat pump, solar panels, and battery, was completed in 4-5 days.

The system has been performing exceptionally well since installation. The biggest change is that the house remains consistently warm, day and night. I’ve set the temperature to 20°C during the day and 18.5°C overnight. It’s great not to experience the large temperature fluctuations that come with a gas heating system; now, every room stays at a comfortable, stable temperature.

The heat pump is also much quieter than I anticipated—it's actually quieter than my old gas boiler. Even when running at full power, it remains very quiet. I can’t hear it from inside the house, and I haven’t received any complaints or concerns from neighbours.

Hot water has been available whenever needed, and I can easily set it to the desired temperature using the control system. I’m able to control everything through a simple-to-use app, which provides all the data I need to monitor how efficiently the system is operating.

As for costs, I’m nearing the end of my first year of operation. Based on current running costs, it will only cost around £500-£600 per year to run heating, hot water and general electricity usage for my large 4-5 bedroom detached 1930s house. Prior to this, my combined gas and electricity bills were over £2000 annually.

I’ve also disconnected my gas supply, so I no longer have any standing charge or gas costs. The key to keeping costs low is the heat pump working in tandem with the solar panels and battery to optimise energy usage, combined with smart energy tariffs to minimise peak-time electricity consumption.