6kW Daikin Altherma heat pump installed in 3-bed terrace home resulting in BER B1 rating
CHALLENGE: REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION
For this homeowner, heating her 3-bedroom property in the south Dublin suburbs had become a non-stop challenge – not to mention an expensive one. Built in 1973, the house was poorly insulated, and the owner found herself with the boiler on 24/7 – often supplemented by a gas fire – as she struggled to keep warm. “The heating bills were astronomical,” she admits.
Together with her adult children, she decided to install a heat pump as a way of lowering the household energy bills. The family found they were eligible for a grant from SEAI that would fund a large portion of the equipment and installation costs. They identified a Daikin-approved residential installer and the work got underway.
During installation the hot water cylinder was removed and replaced with a Daikin Altherma heat pump monobloc system that includes an indoor and outdoor unit
SOLUTION: AIR-TO-WATER HEAT PUMP / INSULATION
Based on the size of the house (1200sq.ft), the installer recommended a Daikin Altherma 6kW heat pump with integrated 180-litre cylinder, featuring ‘split’ indoor and outdoor units. Like other air-to-water heat pumps, this model extracts heat from the outside air (a renewable energy source) and uses it to provide heating and hot water inside the home. The energy usage is 80% ambient air and 20% electricity.
In tandem with the heat pump, the homeowner also invested in wrap-around insulation for the entire property, as well as other energy-efficient upgrades: new windows and doors, roof ventilation, LED lighting, and two new radiators. The gas fire and boiler were removed as part of the job.
In total, the upgrades to the home took six weeks to complete.
RESULTS: COMFORT, CONVENIENCE, COST-SAVING
- The homeowner saw an immediate difference. Instead of having the boiler and gas fire turned on 24/7, she was able to set the thermostat and simply let the heat pump regulate itself to maintain a comfortable 22 degrees. Her children were then able to help manage the system remotely, via the Daikin Onecta app on their phones.
- Another welcome difference came in the form of lower energy bills – no surprise given that heat pumps consume way less electricity than a gas boiler. The energy-efficiency of the system cut down on running costs and the homeowner now has one bill (electricity) rather than two (gas & electricity).
- Meanwhile, installing the heat pump and the other upgrades boosted the property’s BER (building energy rating) from a lowly E2 to a B1, increasing the value of the home in the process.
HOMEOWNER:
“MORE COMFORTABLE, LESS ENERGY BEING CONSUMED”
“The heat pump has made life a lot easier. The house is warm and comfortable all the time now, I don’t have to worry about turning the boiler on and off or using the gas fire when it gets cold. The air feels cleaner and fresher too, it’s never stuffy. But the big difference is the reduction in electricity consumption. My heating bill has reduced and that has taken away a lot of stress. The grant made the whole retrofit affordable and I’m just delighted I took that decision’’.
Start your heat pump journey
Thinking about installing a heat pump to reduce your household’s energy consumption? Compare your options, find out what home energy upgrade grants are available here and download our Home Energy handbook.
Products used on this project
Daikin Altherma low temperature split
Daikin Altherma 3 R - ERGA-EVH
Daikin Altherma low temperature split
Daikin Altherma 3 R F - EHVH-E6V
Madoka wired remote control