Richard shares how the ZEB helped upgrade his old-school fossil fuel heating system.
About You & Your Home
There are two of us living here in Clevedon, having downsized from a 5 bedroom detached house to a 3 bedroom 1960s bungalow. The previous house had solar panels and solar thermal for heating that we installed 12 years ago – so we are used to solar power. The house also used oil so solar was ideal. We also have an electric car. Due to an older Feed-in-Tariff our house was financially energy negative which meant we received more from FiT than we paid in oil, fuel, logs and electricity.
Before the ZEB, the bungalow had a gas combi boiler for hot water and heating and gas for cooking.
The boiler reaching the end of life meant we started exploring new options. We were also looking to update our kitchen at the same time and install an electric induction hob and electric oven.
Why You Chose the ZEB
Inspired by a previous positive experience, we installed solar panels along with batteries. We use the system to charge our electric car, which is much cheaper than petrol or public charging. By exporting excess capacity and using batteries, we maximize our returns. That’s what sparked our interest in the ZEB and its thermal storage capabilities.
While researching electric heating options, including heat pumps, I came across the ZEB online.
We spoke with plumbers and electricians working on our house, and their experience was that heat pumps were only practical for new builds or full refurbishments due to the need for high insulation, upgraded radiators, and underfloor heating. This was confirmed by a friend who had installed one during a complete renovation.
Did you consider anything else? If so, what helped you make the final decision?
We had a survey done by Cotswold Heating Solutions, which confirmed that installing a heat pump in our case would require major changes to our heating and hot water systems, with limited cost-effectiveness or performance benefits. Based on this, we chose the ZEB for heating and a Sunamp Thermino for hot water.
While reducing our emissions was a definite bonus, the main drivers behind our decision were financial.
Our previous experience showed that renewable systems reduce costs and limit exposure to fossil fuel price volatility driven by global markets. Moreover, we could now use batteries and cheap rate charging for ZEB as a more effective solution.
We removed the combi boiler from the loft, with pipework redirected to the ZEB in a ground-floor cupboard – making installation straightforward. There was no need to change radiators or existing heating and hot water plumbing.
We had heard positive reviews of tepeo and the ZEB and the professional pre-installation sale process was also encouraging.
Getting Set Up
Installation of the ZEB took 3-4 days and was very tidy, pleasant and efficient.
There was an initial issue caused by a defective component supplied by a subcontractor, but the service engineer resolved it, and there have been no problems since.
Living with the ZEB
I have had the ZEB for just under a year including through a winter season. Its performed as predicted room warmth is the same as before
The combined use of the ZEB app, solar panels, batteries, and weather forecast integration gives us much greater flexibility in how we heat the house. It allows us to maximise the use of solar generation, battery storage, and ZEB charging, which in turn optimises costs and, by extension, carbon efficiency.
Your Thoughts So Far
The biggest benefit of having the ZEB was that it could replace our old combi boiler, removing gas from the house entirely. It’s also very flexible.
We have since introduced it to our builder, electricians and plumbers who have all been very impressed.
And Finally…quick fire round!
If you could do anything differently, what would it be?
Get it sooner.
What advice would you give to someone who’s thinking about getting a ZEB?
Do your research and don’t just look at the Heat Pump versus ZEB comparison prices. If you live in anything older than a new build make sure you factor in all the additional costs of new radiators and pipework and whether the heat pump option will improve your heating solution or make it worse.
Anything else you’d like to share?
As Ed Milliband and the Government don’t understand the ZEB solution and present heat pumps as the only option we had to pay VAT at 20% which was very annoying. ZEB was still a better and more cost effective solution in overall terms.