HI Jake

On Tue, 11 Apr 2006 15:56:03 +0100, "Jake"
wrote:


"Adrian Brentnall" adrian-the papers and the wrote
in message ...
HI Jake

On Mon, 10 Apr 2006 22:47:39 +0100, "Jake"
wrote:


"Mary Fisher" wrote


A commercial product but self-installed.

More info please. We are having a new boiler system put in and though we
can't afford a whole solar system, can't quite stretch to Jupiter ;-) this
year we are specifying a solar compatible dual coil tank with a view to
self
installing the rest next year.

That's what we did when we moved here 5 years ago.


So as we are trying to find out about other peoples experiences a few
questions please.

What brand/type/supplier/cost please? Did you buy a complete kit or did
you
self source mix and match? And did you find it easy to fit?

My local installer sold me a complete kit (less the copper pipe !) -
which came with a pretty comprehensive diagram, and the offer of
'hand-holding' if necessary.

It consists of an array of Thermomax evacuated collectors and their
header assembly (got the installer to fit that lot on the roof for me
and provide pipe stubs through into the loft space). He also supplied
the controller and all the necessary brasswork, pump etc.

After I'd done the necessary plumbing and wiring for the controller -
he came back and commissioned the system for me - took about an hour.
Been running fine ever since - with the occasional slight topping-up
of the circulating water.

Don't really know how much money I saved by doing the plumbing myself
- but ISTR that the total kit cost just over £2k. Plumbing wasn't
particularly complicated, and the (3) sensors for the controller
fitted into metal sleeves (supplied) and the wiring was pre-terminated
with plugs - so that was easy.

In terms of performance, I've never formally recorded it - but I know
that from about May to September we're not needing much input from the
immersion heater to get the DHW up to temperature. Becomes more
complicated to assess in winter because the woodburing stove gives
priority to the DHW .....

I'd say go for it !
Have tried a complete 'home-brew' system in the past - old radiators,
glazed collector etc - but the Thermomax-type tubes are reckoned to
capture more heat for a given illumination....

Hope this helps
Adrian
Suffolk UK
fwiw there's a picture of the collector at
http://www.inspired-glass.co.uk/bungalow.htm
- 4th photo down....

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Thanks for the info, very informative.

No problem!

Nice house by the way, bit out of our
price range though. Lovely area down there and somewhere I wouldn't mind
living even if such an idea is blasphemy for a Norfolk boy :-)

You're right - it's a very nice area g

Don't worry about being from Norfolk - they're very broad-minded down
here and let all sorts of people 'in' GG

I had a stand at an exhibition last Sunday - big notice on it saying
'Cheques welcome - also Hungarians, Australians and people from
Norfolk'

Corny, I know - but it raised a few smiles.... !

Good luck with your solar
Adrian
Suffolk UK
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