Starting out on my heat pump journey

[Marcus]

This was my MCS installers first effort :



Their 2nd attempt might have been better, except they used too small insulation so it left a gap all the way along the bottom of the pipe

Decided it was less effort to sort it myself than get them back a 3rd time to do a professional job.

They didn't insulate the pipes at all where they go through the outer block wall, whereas I've seen other peoples installs where the outer block wall was cored out to allow the pipe insulation to reach the cavity.

[Ronski]

That's very bad, thats looks like how they done my kitchen roof, massive gaps, do they not grasp what the insulation does???

That's why I sorted out my EV charger, its just simpler and easier to do it yourself, but the downside is the muppets think they've done a good job as they never get a call back.

Yes, they cored mine all the way through and fitted Primary Pro, they used thinner insulation internally, but that's perfectly normal as room temperature is about 20c so less loss due to a lower DT.

[Fintray]

This was my MCS installers first effort :



Their 2nd attempt might have been better, except they used too small insulation so it left a gap all the way along the bottom of the pipe

Decided it was less effort to sort it myself than get them back a 3rd time to do a professional job.

They didn't insulate the pipes at all where they go through the outer block wall, whereas I've seen other peoples installs where the outer block wall was cored out to allow the pipe insulation to reach the cavity.

Did the installer have to chew through the insulation rather than cut it?
Also the antifreeze valves should be on the lowest points of the pipe runs, looks like yours could put your heat pump at risk if there is a prolonged power cut in cold weather.

[Ronski]

My anti freeze valves are not at the lowest point of the pipework, they are directly on the back of the heat pump, so they will drain that and most of the pipework, but won't drain a short section that comes out the house. Basically the pipes come out the house and immediately go up about 200 - 300mm.

I'll post a picture later, at least they are protecting the heat pump.

[Marcus]

This was my MCS installers first effort :



Their 2nd attempt might have been better, except they used too small insulation so it left a gap all the way along the bottom of the pipe

Decided it was less effort to sort it myself than get them back a 3rd time to do a professional job.

They didn't insulate the pipes at all where they go through the outer block wall, whereas I've seen other peoples installs where the outer block wall was cored out to allow the pipe insulation to reach the cavity.

Did the installer have to chew through the insulation rather than cut it?
Also the antifreeze valves should be on the lowest points of the pipe runs, looks like yours could put your heat pump at risk if there is a prolonged power cut in cold weather.

I thought that myself, so I sent this pic to Grant and specifically asked if they were happy with location of the frost valves and the quality of the work done by their 'approved installer'

They didn't mention the insulation in their email, but said there was no issue with the location of the frost valves , so I figured if I subsequently had to put in a warranty claim due to frost damage, their email would counter any argument about the frost valves being in the wrong place invalidating said warranty.

[Fintray]

My anti freeze valves are not at the lowest point of the pipework, they are directly on the back of the heat pump, so they will drain that and most of the pipework, but won't drain a short section that comes out the house. Basically the pipes come out the house and immediately go up about 200 - 300mm.

I'll post a picture later, at least they are protecting the heat pump.

I meant the lowest point at the heat pump, Marcus's pipes come out of the heat pump and go up before the anti-freeze valves.

[Ronski]

From the multitude of videos ive seen online, finishing touches like gluing the insulation seems to be done at the end.
I presume the reason being if the pipe needs to be changed or modified you dont ruin the insulation by waiting.

This does indeed seem to be the case, I've not mentioned anything today, but I noticed there is a tube of the sealant on the side, and one of the lads has the job of sealing it tomorrow.

[Fintray]

From the multitude of videos ive seen online, finishing touches like gluing the insulation seems to be done at the end.
I presume the reason being if the pipe needs to be changed or modified you dont ruin the insulation by waiting.

This does indeed seem to be the case, I've not mentioned anything today, but I noticed there is a tube of the sealant on the side, and one of the lads has the job of sealing it tomorrow.

I hope he wears gloves when doing it as that stuff is seriously difficult to get off.

[Richard77]

The heat pump and base looks sound Ronski

Hopefully they sort the insulation around the pipework to a decent standard when they return

[Richard77]

This was my MCS installers first effort :



Their 2nd attempt might have been better, except they used too small insulation so it left a gap all the way along the bottom of the pipe

Decided it was less effort to sort it myself than get them back a 3rd time to do a professional job.

They didn't insulate the pipes at all where they go through the outer block wall, whereas I've seen other peoples installs where the outer block wall was cored out to allow the pipe insulation to reach the cavity.

Sorry about that Marcus...

Some tradesmen have no pride in their work. Does my head in!

I would post the pictures of my house nearly falling down from a cowboy who we hired to take a chimney breast down and create opening for bifolds, but I'm too embarrassed to