We have two AC style heat pumps in the downstairs of our house. I've been very impressed with them; even though upstairs is still on gas they've knocked a massive chunk off our gas bill - much more than the extra electricity cost has been - and I much prefer them quietly whirring away to all the racket that the boiler, pipes, radiators and the outrageously noisy condensate pump make. I'd love to put them upstairs as well but that's more rooms so it's a much bigger job.
Our house is a 1980s boring brick cube with an uninsulated floor, draughty dry lining and a garage conversion done by dodgy builders that has no cavity between the two brick courses, but the heat pumps have had no problem. The outdoor unit is a little noisier when it has to work hard but it's probably still quieter than the boiler flue.
A major disadvantage is that for some reason the outdoor units for AC-style heat pumps are all phenomenally ugly so a challenge for spring is to try to obscure it a bit without disrupting the air flow too much.
An added bonus is on days like today when it's jolly chilly outside but the solar PV is providing all the power.
Confused - do I turn on my oil fired central heating or use the wood stoves (fuelled exclusively with well seasoned hardwood from on-site)?
