[Stevemelly]

Hi, I have just signed up on here as it may be the place to find my answer to a query I have.
We live in a housing association home and recently had ASHP fitted and most recently solar panels.
We are noticing a difference now in our energy costs. (not huge, but some what better. We were using around £10 per day average and it has dropped to an average of £6 per day)
Anyway, on to why I'm asking a question.
I have noticed on our smart meter the 'pylon' icon which I believe indicates we are using solar power.
Now this will stay on for some time during a bright sunny day. It does go off now and then. But what I have noticed is, when our ASHP comes on it goes off immediately. Then when the heating goes off, it comes back on.
This doesn't happen with any other appliance like the oven or washing machine or tumble dryer, only the heating.
Its as if we can have solar power for everything else but not the heat pump. Got me wondering Why?
Does the ASHP draw too much power that it drains the solar power instantly I wonder?
Any info much appreciated.

[meldrewreborn]

@Stevemelly

the indicator might be showing when power is being exported, and the ASHP uses all of the solar generation, so nothing to export. Note that solar generation is weaker in the winter compared to the summer, so the frequency of this happening will change as we get into the summer ( hopefully!). The ASHP will operate less and less too.

[Stevemelly]

Originally Posted by meldrewreborn

@Stevemelly

the indicator might be showing when power is being exported, and the ASHP uses all of the solar generation, so nothing to export. Note that solar generation is weaker in the winter compared to the summer, so the frequency of this happening will change as we get into the summer ( hopefully!). The ASHP will operate less and less too.

" I don't believe it!" Sorry couldn't resist. ;) Thank you for your reply btw.
So our ASHP not only heats the home it also eats the electric too. With these brighter days we have had throughout March we have seen a drop off in our energy costs. ie heating not on as much (although saying that it has at times been warmer outside than in) plus the panels are working better and the washer etc is used during the 'peak' or 'optimum' times when we can.

[meldrewreborn]

@Stevemelly

I’m a gas boiler user, and it currently makes no financial sense to fit a new one to replace my near 37 year old device, let alone fitting a heat pump.

If I were looking to fit something I think a battery system to store low price off peak electricity would be my preference. My electricity consumption is quite low at about 1600 kWh per annum, and at present it makes little sense, but hopefully battery systems will get better and cheaper in the future - something I don’t think will happen to heat pumps.

. Interesting article in the Telegraph today on home insurance for solar panels and heat pumps - it’s actually quite complicated as to what’s covered by the many different insurers and what isn’t.