Replacing an old heat pump with a heat battery boiler in Whitstable

Quick Summary: The Switch at a Glance

• The Property: 3-bedroom townhouse in Whitstable.

• The Problem: An existing exhaust air heat pump that was expensive to run, difficult to repair, and offered limited control.

• The Installer: SGS (Ramsgate, Kent).

• The Solution: The tepeo ZEB heat battery boiler.

• The Results: Hot radiators, better temperature control via the tepeo app, smart charging with the Octopus Cosy tariff, and regained upstairs cupboard space.

The Challenge: An Inefficient Heating System

When the homeowners moved into their three-bedroom townhouse in Whitstable, the property already had a Swedish exhaust air heat pump installed. While these systems can be useful low-carbon solutions, this one never quite worked for the way the household lived.

With just the two of them at home most of the time, but grandchildren and family regularly visiting, they needed reliable and flexible heating. However, their existing system had become expensive to run and offered limited control. Additionally, because it was a Swedish system, parts and servicing were not always easy to access locally.

Facing another costly repair, they decided to look for a better long-term option. They wanted a reliable, lower-carbon system with better control, lower disruption during installation, compatibility with off-peak electricity, and accessible support.

The Solution: Choosing the ZEB Heat Battery Boiler

The homeowners were not keen to go back to burning fossil fuels, but their main priority was heating they could trust. They first heard about tepeo through a local plumbing company, who put them in touch with SGS, a heating installer based in Ramsgate, Kent.

After completing a detailed survey, SGS recommended the tepeo ZEB heat battery boiler. The homeowners considered another heat pump but chose the ZEB for its reliability, ability to use off-peak electricity, familiar central heating experience, and the professionalism of SGS and tepeo.

The installation team carefully lifted floorboards to remove the old system – the biggest part of the job – before putting everything back neatly. The new ZEB was installed in the garage, where the homeowners added a stud wall to create a more even, insulated environment around the unit.

The Result: Warmth, Control, and Peace of Mind

After their first winter month with the ZEB, the difference was clear.

Hot Radiators:

The radiators actually get hot now, which the homeowners described as a lovely change. They noted:

“The ZEB is performing really well and is easy to understand, even though it’s a new system for us. It’s keeping the house warm – no more layering up in vests!”

Smart App Control:

The homeowners now have much better control over their heating, utilizing features like Away Mode and Boost Charging.

“I like to check on things occasionally via the app – it’s really reassuring to see what the system is doing and make any adjustments if needed,” they shared.

Off-Peak Electricity:

The ZEB is paired with the Octopus Cosy tariff, providing eight hours of low-cost electricity and supporting the system’s smart charging approach.

Extra Space:

Removing the old system allowed the homeowners to gain back useful upstairs cupboard space.

Peace of Mind:

They have regained control over their heating and no longer worry about whether the system will perform.

Advice for Other Homeowners

Since the installation, three neighbours have already visited to see how the system works. For anyone considering a ZEB, the homeowners’ advice is simple:

“It’s definitely worth exploring if you’re considering a new heating solution. If you’re curious, you can arrange for the team to carry out a survey to see if it’s the right fit for your property. There was no pressure to buy – they really just wanted to see if it would suit our heat requirements and lifestyle.”

For this Whitstable townhouse, the honest, suitability-led survey process gave the homeowners the confidence to move forward with a system that perfectly suited their heating needs and lifestyle.

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