Solar Storage

The Solar Storage system is designed to preheat the cold water entering the
boiler or water storage unit.

It has a Solar Water Collector and this is drawn into the Solar
Storage Tank when the temperature of the Collector is higher than the
Tank Temperature by a special electronic control unit.

Cold water normally enters the boiler at 20 degrees or lower in the
winter and the boiler has to heat it up to 55 degrees approx.

With the water being preheated the boiler does not have to burn as
much gas to reach the 55 degrees.

Initial tests have shown that the gas is reduced by 25% when the water
is being drawn from the solar storage tank and has been preheated.

Tests have also shown that it is feasible to shut the boiler off
during the day in good weather.

If the tank has not been preheated then the water is drawn as normal
and bypasses the Solar Collector.

Note: storage is 10 litres and is designed for small volume water heating and usage and not for continual or bath volumes.

SOLAR ARRAY LOCATION

For the maximum heat absorption a South facing aspect with an angle of
10 degrees is ideal.

However, the design of the unit is not to generate a vast amount of hot water
within the array but small quantities (2 litres) to help lift the
cold water temperature going into the boiler or water system.

In this respect the collector can be mounted in any aspect or wall-
mounted as it will collect solar and ambient heat and then distribute
it to the tank if there is a difference between the tank temperature
and the collector temperature.

A location with as much sun as possible would obviously be the best position.

The Solar Storage system is designed for garage or low level roofs with ease of installation. The Solar Array is mounted on top of the roof tiles NOT set into them. Or, the Array can be wall-mounted. The mini-Storage Tank locates near the boiler and installation should be completed within one day.

All Solar Storage installations are carried out by our approved
plumbing installers - Future Plumbing Ltd.

FINANCIAL SAVINGS

How does one quote savings? I could speculate but it all depends on
the individual and their water and gas usage.

For instance, I rinse plates under the hot tap - others do not. I wash
my hands using the hot tap - others do not. I consume 30 litres of hot
water a day - do others? Others use their boiler for showers - I have an
electric shower...... and so on.

To this extent I can only quote the measurements taken and the
calculations on savings arising but this will vary both ways for others.

The real reward is to feel or hear the heated water being pumped from the
Array to the tank and when consuming the tank water to see the boiler
reduce it’s burning and to feel the difference in the temperature when
drawing water. Also, to know that you are contributing to reducing
green house gases and finally to know you are reducing those gas bills.

In essence you are saving money and helping the environment.

I will give my recordings and measurements as a guidance below and
will be pleased to hear customers’ results.

- Arthur Howell


Initial tests: FINANCIAL SAVINGS

How much will it save you?

Initial tests showed a 25% saving on gas consumption where the tank
was not preheated and then when preheated. i.e. The gas flames reduce
in size.

Gas meter showed 1.7 units reducing to 1.3 units (0.4 Units) of gas
for 15 litres of water.

The Gas supplier indicated this was equivalent to 12.54 Kw

The gas cost was 2.21p/kw

This indicates a saving of 27pence for just one tank drawing of 15 litres.


Recordings of HOT water consumption only (not including Cold) for a
period of 9 days showed 265 litres of hot water being drawn. If the
water was drawn allowing reheat then the savings would have been:-

265/15 litres = 17.6 drawing sessions

17.6 * 27p/session = 475 pence

475/9days = 52.8 pence per day

52.8 pence per day = £192/year

A projected saving of £192/year

It must be stressed that these are recordings taken during
intermittent sunshine and cloudy conditions.

Personal hot water consumption would vary these results.