Moving house - tips for finding astronomy friendly properties?

[Second Time Around]

Ridiculous as it may seem, with the way the calculations are currently made, a heat pump will lead to a lower EPC figure! 

A review is supposedly in the offing, but it's something to think about if you're considering renting.

[M40]

Another option for you. If you are not on mains gas, have you considered a multi fuel stove installation? We use taybright with our stove and my word it kicks out some heat and is quite cost effective. It's about as clean as you can get, check out the info on smokeless fuels if it concerns. 

I thought heat pumps only worked on modern well insulated buildings? Not sure I would consider that if it's to used in an older style building.

Edited October 14 by M40

[Leo S]

1 hour ago, Second Time Around said:

Ridiculous as it may seem, with the way the calculations are currently made, a heat pump will lead to a lower EPC figure! 

A review is supposedly in the offing, but it's something to think about if you're considering renting.

My only worry about heat pumps is the possibility for vibration. Apart from that, it does sound like a good idea. Thanks for the info.

[Leo S]

1 hour ago, M40 said:

Another option for you. If you are not on mains gas, have you considered a multi fuel stove installation? We use taybright with our stove and my word it kicks out some heat and is quite cost effective. It's about as clean as you can get, check out the info on smokeless fuels if it concerns. 

I thought heat pumps only worked on modern well insulated buildings? Not sure I would consider that if it's to used in an older style building.

Thanks for the suggestion. There is actually a wood burner (if I'm not mistaken) already there, but I guess that would need replacing.

The property was built in 1965. Not sure if that is considered to be modern?

[Second Time Around]

I have extremely sensitive hearing and this was something I was worried about.  However, our heat pump is almost silent and there's no vibration whatsoever.

[Leo S]

7 minutes ago, Second Time Around said:

I have extremely sensitive hearing and this was something I was worried about.  However, our heat pump is almost silent and there's no vibration whatsoever.

I can appreciate that, but I have heard the stories about those who were not so lucky, and I wonder what factors might make a particular installation prone to vibration. if the stories are indeed true.

If it's a case of just finding a competent installer who knows what they are doing, and/or paying a bit more for a better pump, then I'm happy to invest in one, but I'm not sure that's the case? I don't want to take a gamble and end up stuck with an annoying heat-pump, if that's even a remote possibility.

I'll have to do my own research, but I don't have the time right now. I will have to get back to it, and likely this thread, after the move.

Replies might be a bit sporadic over the next week or two. Still don't have a moving date, but it will almost certainly be in the next 1-2 weeks, or sooner, so I need to get on with the last bits of packing/making sure everything is in order.

My solicitor emailed me earlier today to let me know that she had my signed contract in redness for exchange/completion, and that the transfer of money was successful, so no going back now!

[Second Time Around]

I did a lot of research into the noise of the various heat pumps and compared their decibel ratings.  Be warned though that the makers confuse matters by quoting the noise level at different distances.  Although ours isn't the quietest on the market, like probably all the current models as opposed to older ones, it's almost silent as I mentioned earlier.

As for vibration, you can get pads to go underneath.  Our installer didn't reckon we'd need them and so it's proved.

A good installer is crucial.  I'd recommend going with a specialist heat pump firm and one that can install almost any make rather than just being limited to one or two.  We got quotes from 3 firms and chose Kent Heat Pumps who we can highly recommend.  Unlike the other 2 who wanted to charge for a radiator survey and then refund us if we went ahead with them, Kent Heat Pumps did this free on the first visit.

This survey showed that, despite our house being over 100 years old, we needed to upgrade just 1 radiator and 1 towel rail.  Being chrome the latter was rusting and so needed replacing anyway.

Something else I'd highly recommend is the Homely Energy computer control system.  Go to http://www.homelyenergy.com.  This gives a more even temperature and saves on fuel bills.  I reckon it's already paid for itself.  It was originally compatible with just a few heat pumps but a lot more models have been added since our installation.

Homely can also be programmed to be adjusted to maximise the savings on almost any tariff, including specialist heat pump ones.  We don't use the latter ourselves as, being retired, at least one of us is in nearly all day. For us the non-heat pump tariffs work out cheaper.

Good luck with the move!

 

Edited Tuesday at 16:46 by Second Time Around

[Leo S]

Many thanks for the info.

Can I ask, how much did it cost in total? Please don't feel that you have to answer that if I'm being too nosy!

You mentioned "non-heat pump tariffs".  I'm a little confused. That would imply that there are "heat pump tariffs" as well. I wouldn't have expected there to be any tariffs.

[Marvin Jenkins]

Reading this thread from the beginning took some time. The original question is about moving house to an Astro friendly environment and how to quantify where that could be.

I am going to ask a similar question but from what appears to be the opposite end of the argument.

I live in B3 skies SW France. We are selling up and moving to Malta. The skies there will be very south compared to here but I now know I will not be able to observe DSO from where will be on the island.

That really rips my observing heart out. Not being dramatic, but I am at heart an observer and losing that makes me shudder.

But life is not all about what you see through a scope. My wife has never really settled here. We are young enough to change tack and try again so I am willing to give this up for something worse.

Here is the flip side. I will have to travel to dark sites. But after the move I will have a budget for a large aperture dob.

The skies in Malta are clear far more often than here. I am now a member of Malta Astro. Where I live now there is nothing local at all, I am on.my own.

In short. Something less, might actually be something more. Just the musings of a member.

Marvin

[Second Time Around]

The total cost for our 4 bed house was just under £13500 before the heat pump grant.  However, that included the following extras that not everyone would need:

1) decommissioning and disposal of our oil boiler.

2) installation of a hot water tank (that easily fitted into our walk-in wardrobe).  This was needed as heat pumps can't work off combi systems.

3) pipework going between the floors to the hot water tank on the other side of the house.  This was so that I could have the heat pump at the side of the house behind double gates that needed to be moved.  This means that, unlike our oil boiler,  the heat pump doesn't lead to poor seeing for observing.

4) supply and fitting of a second towel rail that, although it didn't need upgrading, had also gone rusty.

5) installation of the Homely computerised management system.

These 5 extras added up to about £4000.

We got a £5000 grant bringing our cost down to £8500.  However, annoyingly the grant increased to £7500 just after installation, so it would now be about £6000 net.  

As I said though we had a lot of extras, so many people with a 4 bed house who already have a hot water tank might only have to pay  about £3000 net - so more than a new gas boiler but not hugely more than for a new oil boiler to be installed.

Homely can optimise the heat pump to minimise your cost by letting it know what tariff you're on. The heat pump tariffs work a bit like Economy 7 ones.  As I said, no benefit to us, but useful if you're out during the day.

Edited Tuesday at 19:14 by Second Time Around

[Leo S]

On 15/10/2024 at 19:39, Second Time Around said:

The total cost for our 4 bed house was just under £13500 before the heat pump grant.  However, that included the following extras that not everyone would need:

1) decommissioning and disposal of our oil boiler.

2) installation of a hot water tank (that easily fitted into our walk-in wardrobe).  This was needed as heat pumps can't work off combi systems.

3) pipework going between the floors to the hot water tank on the other side of the house.  This was so that I could have the heat pump at the side of the house behind double gates that needed to be moved.  This means that, unlike our oil boiler,  the heat pump doesn't lead to poor seeing for observing.

4) supply and fitting of a second towel rail that, although it didn't need upgrading, had also gone rusty.

5) installation of the Homely computerised management system.

These 5 extras added up to about £4000.

We got a £5000 grant bringing our cost down to £8500.  However, annoyingly the grant increased to £7500 just after installation, so it would now be about £6000 net.  

As I said though we had a lot of extras, so many people with a 4 bed house who already have a hot water tank might only have to pay  about £3000 net - so more than a new gas boiler but not hugely more than for a new oil boiler to be installed.

Homely can optimise the heat pump to minimise your cost by letting it know what tariff you're on. The heat pump tariffs work a bit like Economy 7 ones.  As I said, no benefit to us, but useful if you're out during the day.

Thanks for breaking it all down!

It's going to be tough to decide where to position a pump. Front garden springs to mind, but it would be hard to conceal as the front garden is small, open, and on a slope going up to the house with only a "just enough" retaining wall, and all lawn apart from that. Anyway, I'll have to look at the problem once I'm in.

Thanks again, and for explaining the tariffs. I get what you mean now.

[Leo S]

Picked up keys to the new house earlier today.

Now that's over and done with I just need to move my things over the next week or so... plus contact utilities, and everyone who needs an updated address.

At least that last part is a bit easier than having to notify everyone of a change in email address (something I did not so long ago - what a pain!).

Nearly forgot the fun bit. Unpacking/trying to work out where to put all the stuff I've accumulated!

I've already de-cluttered massively, but somehow still have the contents of 3-4 small houses seemingly! Where does/did it all come from!? I suppose it doesn't help that I have a load of old vinyl records, plus lots of camera gear, and general stuff!

Nearly forgot, just a couple more days packing the last few bits. Kitchen, and PC desk get packed last.