Hi
I know this has been asked before but the threads have been archived and so i cant see if all the things I want to know are in there so I've posted again.
Can anyone give me an idea of how much it is to install a solar panel to an existing tank if thats possible
and the cost of a new tank and panel?
we have 2 bathrooms,one is serviced by an immersian type heater and the other is not yet fitted out ,hence we need to get 2 different solutions
There are 2 reasons for asking this
1)free hot water(yes i know we have to take into account the installation cost) and
2)remembering to switch off the immersian as it runs of electricity at the moment,unless you can get timer switches for them,I dont want it to blow up with the hot water!!
both tanks will not need pumps as they will be above height of the showers.
Also if anyone can p.m me with a contact for an installer that would be great.
Just out of curiosity,why do tanks in corfu not have jackets on them to keep the heat in once heated?
I know its hot in the summer,but what happens in the winter?
thanks
Message posted by doug on 25 November 2008 at 3:50pm - IP Logged
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With answer to your question about tanks not having jackets it is because they are insulated inside the tank and hold the hot water for a long time at temperature.
Doug
Message posted by diane and steve on 25 November 2008 at 4:04pm - IP Logged
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I accumulated bits of info on this subject over the years which I made notes about because the subject interests me so here they are although somewhat fragmented.
Useful contacts
http://www.dimas-solar.gr/
http://www.homebuilding.co.uk/
http://www.thermomax.com/
Also check out Dan Chiras book: The passive Solar House. It tells you all ins and outs on how to save on energy and shows you what are good solarpanels and how to get the most out of them.
There are reliable and good quality solar hot water systems that supply 70% of hot water needs in the UK market with a much cooler climate than Greece.It is simply a case of finding the right equipment(basically the German stuff)
There is a system called GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMPS which utilise the heat within the ground,this is then fed through a condensor which basically increases the temperature and this heat is then fed to the hot water supply or underground heating circuit.
Underfloor heating circuits are continuous coils of pipe that start and finish above ground,there are no joints ??? except on the above ground manifolds.
Amptec make an Electric boiler that can be used with a mains pressure cylinder,a secondary coil can be used then to facilitate a solar water system. The bigger the cylinder the more free hot water you get.
It seems that Corfu’s fresh water seems more mineral laden than other parts of Greece [ I have no idea why , nor the time to investigate ] it is a fact and has to be overcome in some way with the use of appliances that use elements and small bore pipework .
Filling the solar panels with rainwater is what they are doing in Ireland in order to stop them gathering deposits on the inside, if you do not do this they will end up looking like the element from your washing machine (you know the add on the tele for calgon).This will definitely extend there lifespan and increase there output.
Ok I know some of the stuff won't be much good you but it may be worth a look so I've left it in.
Steve
Message posted by diane and steve on 28 November 2008 at 1:18am - IP Logged
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Hi, sorry did not get your pm,Solar panel with tank above can only be used really in the summer.The heat loss from the tank outside would prove costly to heat with immersion only. We switch over to heat the water from our combi boiler/heating system in the winter.
One panel with 120lt tank above comes in a pack with frame to site for about 800 euros.I can't express enough how brillent it is all summer. The cost to site and plumb depends completely where you are going to site the panel and tank. (on a roof, in the garden)and the distance to the house appliances.The immersion only comes on if the water temp needs to be raised, which i don't think happens often in the summer.
Message posted by sandyaway on 28 November 2008 at 1:52pm - IP Logged
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Re water hardness in Corfu. It is hard because Corfu is limestone!
The closed loop part of a solar system should be run on a soft water/antifreeze mix anyway.
Message posted by mick plumber on 24 February 2009 at 6:42pm - IP Logged
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mick plumber
you can fit solar panel to your existing cylinder/tank with emmersion heater providing there is a heat exchanger inside. to check for this there should be 2 inlets on the side not connected to anything (capped off), if not a new cylinder is required.
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