Ecocent ESP 200L

[qeipl]

My thinking was that the sinks would use very little water, but using the shower might take too much from the ecocent, and affect the UFH?

My original hope, as I said, was to solely use the Ecocent for all UFH and hot water needs. Would this really be enough, and be cheaper than any other form of heating – direct electric/fossil fuels?

My 300 litre Ecocent has no trouble whatsoever running 70m^2 of UFH plus DHW for two showers, two hand basins and three sinks.
I often have six people in the house, including teenage nieces who enjoy 15 minute showers and I've never run out of hot water since I installed the Ecocent (3 years ago).

[qeipl]

Quite frankly, I can't see the point of a heat pump at all in this scenario - woodburner, back boiler for hot water along with solar dhw and an immersion heater for backup would make far more sense......

In a word - "no" - it'll be expensive to install and run, and I certainly wouldn't want the blessed thing whizzing and clanking away indoors at all (let alone in a bedroom) - sadly these things are sold as "the answer to all your problems", when they very seldom are!
I always try to put myself in the shoes of the person doing the project, and ask "what would I do?" - when it comes to an ASHP in this sort of property, not in a month of sundays!

Sean,

Martin is a dyed-in-the-wool heat pump sceptic (not without good cause in many cases) but he has never installed or lived with an Ecocent. I have.

In terms of:
- capital expenditure and ease of installation an Ecocent is much cheaper and easier to install than solar DHW and woodburner+boiler central heating.
- energy costs an Ecocent is no more expensive than oil or lpg (probably cheaper).
- operation and maintenance time an Ecocent is easier and cheaper than oil, lpg, solar, and solid fuel.
- noise an Ecocent is similar to an oil or lpg boiler + MHRV.

I took a chance on the Ecocent because it combined capturing solar energy for DWH & UFH with a form of MHRV for the same price as installing a Megaflo DHW system.
The gamble has paid off handsomely for me.
Your case is different to mine - both size and usage patterns - but I think an Ecocent will work for you.

(Advice from qeipl can be bad as well as good. Other ASHP DHW cylinders are available).

[wildwest]

A setup using just an Ecocent seems the most practical choice for me, as well as being the easiest to set up. It also gives me the option to switch it out for something else in the future if things don't work out with running costs.

I can't see it'll be expensive to install, particularly in my plan, and if it costs less than oil/lpg, then I'll be content.

From what I've read, those with Ecocents seem to be very happy with them, and in much larger projects than mine.

I have now decided to go for the Ecocent, so I'll plug my ears, and go ahead with it.

[Bodidly]

Good luck and let us know how you get on.
Beau

[billi]

Sure i  think about it my self   to get a unit like this  delivered to my door  for about  1300 GBP

How much is the Ecocent  again ?


Will see ..........

[wildwest]

Back again.

qeipl, you suggested I use a dedicated air duct for the woodburner – would a vent from the outside to a vent on the floor in front of the hearth be adequate?

[qeipl]

Back again.

qeipl, you suggested I use a dedicated air duct for the woodburner – would a vent from the outside to a vent on the floor in front of the hearth be adequate?

I can't answer that with an emphatic 'yes', but I suspect it will be OK if the woodburner air supply duct is bigger than the the Ecocent intake duct.
A stove with an air supply spigot (coupled to the intake duct) would eliminate any doubt. Such stoves are available. Maybe a bit more expensive but probably worth it.