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Put as much insulation in as you can in the outside walls, it will make quite a difference. Stone has the highest heat loss compared to brick. Suggest you get your geometra/architect to get the thermal losses with different thicknesses of insulation. That will give you an idea of what level of heating you need in Kw. On the other point of Enel billing, these are actuals from the house here for 2007/2008/2009 for the Kw used and the cost. Bi=monthly breakdown is available if you need further info. 2007............... Kw 10573 ............. cost 2440.44 2008 ...............Kw 9990 ............... cost 2540.78 2009 .............. Kw 9886 ............... cost 2754.82

We are all electric, and have not even reached E3000 for a full year. You ought to have a rethink!!!

Thanks #1 Would be better if Enel dropped some of its charges here in Italy and started to use better resources for providing energy. Will follow the debate with interest!!!

Having spent an unacceptable €36 on gas last month. And I thought my 10 Euros was high on gas!!!!!!!!!! Only a gas hob though, not with a gas oven.

There is no reason why not Bunterboy, but if you did go for a heat pump, then I would seriously consider the 2 supply option that I mentioned earlier in this thread. Best if you compare the rates Bi to mono as I don't think you would save very much.

Hi Bunterboy. These are actual figures taken from the 11Kw output pump here: I have covered the dates from 02/11/09 to 04/01/10, as have just received the Enel account for that period. This is one of the heaviest usage times, so it gives a better indication of what Winter accounts would incur. GSHP: Output 11Kw .......... Input 2.2Kw Temperature settings house. Heating 19C underfloor heating. Domestic Hot water 48C. Running times from pump computer: 454 hrs, daily hours over above period average 7.09. Consumption at 2.2 Kwh = 998.8Kw = 15.61Kw per day. Circulating pumps x 2 @ 60W each ( 1 for ground loops, 1 for heating ). Total Kw used for the house for the above period = 2102. Cost relating to this excluding the standing charges = Euro 600.00 including the 10% IVA. As you can see, it costs us approx Euro 300 for 2 months heating and hot water 24/7, if I split the bill 50/50. The 4Kw input that you state would be for a gshp of 17Kw output, suitable for a normally insulated house of around 300Sq.mtrs floor area. Have attached the link below, which gives all the data.

Bunterboy. You only need a 3 phase supply if the pump output is over 11Kw, other than that you can opt for a single phase or 3phase supply on the smaller size pumps. Electricity costs are exactly the same per unit whether you have single or 3 phase. You only pay a supply charge of E1.203 per supplied Kw per month. We here pay E18.05 for 15Kw per month as the standing charge, unit cost is the same a you may pay if you have over the 3kw basic supply. A 9Kw output pump needs under 3Kw to operate. Technical data: Output @ 0/35C 9.1Kw Input 2Kw (underfloor heating). Output 0/50C 8.4Kw, Input 2.6Kw. Overall, it is quite inexpensive to run a heat pump, relative to GPL or oil. Quite happy to give some further clarifications on running costs if you wish.

Pendy. Expect to pay circa 50 - 70 Euro per metre depth for a borehole. Water quality will have to be tested, so that you do not contaminate, an ensure you have a pure supply, as Sebastiano states in his reply.

Thanks Gala. Ours is friendly, so will try to get it next time we go there. K

Just to further clarify, from Sebastiano's post. We can charge 4% on an installation, including excavations, subject to the Geometre supplying the declaration above. It is a bit of a minefield like everything else in Italy, but to save 6% it is worth it!!!