Increase the efficiency of your household boiler by changing to a solar powered equivalent
Stephen Taylor works in the environment sector, but he doesn't leave his environmental concerns in the office when he goes home. Stephen has a ‘social conscience', which is evident in his purchase of an Alpha SolarSmart solar thermal DHW system.
When the heat exchanger failed on his boiler at his detached house in Warrington, Stephen felt that any replacement should benefit from the sun's energy, which is free of charge and totally sustainable. This decision was made even though Stephen was aware of possible cost implications. As he says, "I know that with solar technology we have to look at long-term benefits. But, I was committed to doing something that would contribute to the welfare of environment."
The SolarSmart package, which consists of a flat plate solar collector with roof fixing kit, 90 litre unvented cylinder and glycol-free drainback unit, appealed particularly because it is designed to work with a combination boiler. This makes it even more energy efficient and kinder on the environment than conventional solar thermal systems, which work within a traditional boiler set-up.
At the heart of the SolarSmart system is the innovative Solar Valve, which ensures that the boiler is only ever used as a back-up to heat water. When there is an immediate hot water demand, water pre-heated by the sun flows from the cylinder and passes through the Solar Valve. If the water is at 60ºC plus, it flows direct to the tap – if not, it is directed via the boiler where it is raised to the required temperature.
While payback time is an understandable consideration, SolarSmart does make a significant contribution to reducing environmentally harmful carbon emissions, as well as monthly fuel bills. Independent tests have shown that SolarSmart can reduce the amount of gas used by up to 60%.
Stephen used the internet to research the products available. As he states, "There were systems that heated water for the central heating supply, and others that worked solely with hot water supplies. I decided to go with the latter because I felt that I might not get the maximum benefits from the central heating option. In the height of the summer, the solar technology is basically doing nothing as the central heating is switched off."
He continued, "I logged onto the Alpha website and noticed SolarSmart. As I scrolled through the pages, I noticed that a local heating engineer – who I knew – was listed, so I got in touch with him."
That local company was Stockton Heath Heating, and it was director Dave Nolan who became involved in the project. The company has a good name in the area for environmental solutions, and is always happy to advise potential customers on the Alpha products available and the savings that are possible.
As Dave recalls, "Stephen had spotted SolarSmart on the Alpha website, and also noticed it advertised on my vans. He invited me around to discuss the installation of SolarSmart along with a new Alpha boiler."
Supplied complete with flexible stainless steel hoses for feed and return, the system's solar collector measures 2230 x 1120 x 92mm and can be installed in ‘portrait' or ‘landscape' configuration on pitched roofs, or in ‘landscape' configuration on flat roofs with the use of an optional A-frame.
The roof fixing and flashing kit supplied enables the collector to be ‘set into' the roof so that it's flush with the tiles. Alternatively, a kit is available enabling the collector to be fixed on top of the tiles.
With a cylinder of just 90 litre capacity, the system is more compact than other systems, minimising the amount of space required to site it – yet it is capable of supplying enough hot water for an average family-sized property.
The drainback unit accepts water from the solar collector, protecting the system from overheating or freezing when not in use. It also contains a heat exchanger that helps maintain the temperature of the water inside the cylinder.
Originally, Stephen's house had four bedrooms – but one of these had been sacrificed to create a larger landing at the top of the stairs. The house has one main bathroom and one en-suite, a cloakroom and kitchen. There is a further drain on the hot water supply which demanded careful consideration when choosing a suitable boiler.... the family's reliable washing machine is now 10 years old, and it has a hot water feed.
A fellow director of Stockton Heath Heating, Jason Barber, carried out most of the subsequent installation – which included a compact SEDBUK Band ‘A' rated CD32C combination boiler – although a roofing contractor was called upon to fit the collector panel to the roof.
Alpha takes the issue of roof work very seriously, and have established a working link with members of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors. A list of NFRC members across the country is available from us to help with this specialist part of the installation.
So, what was it that attracted Stephen to SolarSmart? As he states, "I went with SolarSmart for two primary reasons. It seemed that it was as good if not better than anything else out there in the market, and I was impressed by the fact that it came as a complete package. Others I looked at seemed a little ‘Heath Robinson', while with SolarSmart everything needed for the installation was supplied by Alpha."
"Everything with SolarSmart seemed to be designed to go together properly, it looked a professional package. I was also impressed with its appearance. SolarSmart looks smart," he says.
If Stephen has one regret it is that he did not keep accurate records of fuel consumption prior the new installation. He says, "The fuel savings were instantaneous and dramatic, but it is difficult to give accurate figures. I know there was a significant reduction in the amount of gas consumed following the fitting of the new boiler and SolarSmart. In real terms, I know that any water drawn-off during the morning is warmer before it goes into the boiler, and by early evening SolarSmart is capable of filling a complete bath with hot water – which it does on a daily basis."
"From my point of view," he continues, "the benefits of the new installation are most noticeable in spring months. The day's sun heats the hot water, but the central heating is still often required in the evening. During the winter the hot water may need ‘topping up', while in the summer the central heating is not required."
Stephen's attitude to the replacement of the boiler in his property, and the incorporation of SolarSmart, is a credit to him, something his environmentally-aware workmates should be proud of, and another ‘cog in the wheel' that should bring long-term benefits to us all.
When the heat exchanger failed on his boiler at his detached house in Warrington, Stephen felt that any replacement should benefit from the sun's energy, which is free of charge and totally sustainable. This decision was made even though Stephen was aware of possible cost implications. As he says, "I know that with solar technology we have to look at long-term benefits. But, I was committed to doing something that would contribute to the welfare of environment."
The SolarSmart package, which consists of a flat plate solar collector with roof fixing kit, 90 litre unvented cylinder and glycol-free drainback unit, appealed particularly because it is designed to work with a combination boiler. This makes it even more energy efficient and kinder on the environment than conventional solar thermal systems, which work within a traditional boiler set-up.
At the heart of the SolarSmart system is the innovative Solar Valve, which ensures that the boiler is only ever used as a back-up to heat water. When there is an immediate hot water demand, water pre-heated by the sun flows from the cylinder and passes through the Solar Valve. If the water is at 60ºC plus, it flows direct to the tap – if not, it is directed via the boiler where it is raised to the required temperature.
While payback time is an understandable consideration, SolarSmart does make a significant contribution to reducing environmentally harmful carbon emissions, as well as monthly fuel bills. Independent tests have shown that SolarSmart can reduce the amount of gas used by up to 60%.
Stephen used the internet to research the products available. As he states, "There were systems that heated water for the central heating supply, and others that worked solely with hot water supplies. I decided to go with the latter because I felt that I might not get the maximum benefits from the central heating option. In the height of the summer, the solar technology is basically doing nothing as the central heating is switched off."
He continued, "I logged onto the Alpha website and noticed SolarSmart. As I scrolled through the pages, I noticed that a local heating engineer – who I knew – was listed, so I got in touch with him."
That local company was Stockton Heath Heating, and it was director Dave Nolan who became involved in the project. The company has a good name in the area for environmental solutions, and is always happy to advise potential customers on the Alpha products available and the savings that are possible.
As Dave recalls, "Stephen had spotted SolarSmart on the Alpha website, and also noticed it advertised on my vans. He invited me around to discuss the installation of SolarSmart along with a new Alpha boiler."
Supplied complete with flexible stainless steel hoses for feed and return, the system's solar collector measures 2230 x 1120 x 92mm and can be installed in ‘portrait' or ‘landscape' configuration on pitched roofs, or in ‘landscape' configuration on flat roofs with the use of an optional A-frame.
The roof fixing and flashing kit supplied enables the collector to be ‘set into' the roof so that it's flush with the tiles. Alternatively, a kit is available enabling the collector to be fixed on top of the tiles.
With a cylinder of just 90 litre capacity, the system is more compact than other systems, minimising the amount of space required to site it – yet it is capable of supplying enough hot water for an average family-sized property.
The drainback unit accepts water from the solar collector, protecting the system from overheating or freezing when not in use. It also contains a heat exchanger that helps maintain the temperature of the water inside the cylinder.
Originally, Stephen's house had four bedrooms – but one of these had been sacrificed to create a larger landing at the top of the stairs. The house has one main bathroom and one en-suite, a cloakroom and kitchen. There is a further drain on the hot water supply which demanded careful consideration when choosing a suitable boiler.... the family's reliable washing machine is now 10 years old, and it has a hot water feed.
A fellow director of Stockton Heath Heating, Jason Barber, carried out most of the subsequent installation – which included a compact SEDBUK Band ‘A' rated CD32C combination boiler – although a roofing contractor was called upon to fit the collector panel to the roof.
Alpha takes the issue of roof work very seriously, and have established a working link with members of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors. A list of NFRC members across the country is available from us to help with this specialist part of the installation.
So, what was it that attracted Stephen to SolarSmart? As he states, "I went with SolarSmart for two primary reasons. It seemed that it was as good if not better than anything else out there in the market, and I was impressed by the fact that it came as a complete package. Others I looked at seemed a little ‘Heath Robinson', while with SolarSmart everything needed for the installation was supplied by Alpha."
"Everything with SolarSmart seemed to be designed to go together properly, it looked a professional package. I was also impressed with its appearance. SolarSmart looks smart," he says.
If Stephen has one regret it is that he did not keep accurate records of fuel consumption prior the new installation. He says, "The fuel savings were instantaneous and dramatic, but it is difficult to give accurate figures. I know there was a significant reduction in the amount of gas consumed following the fitting of the new boiler and SolarSmart. In real terms, I know that any water drawn-off during the morning is warmer before it goes into the boiler, and by early evening SolarSmart is capable of filling a complete bath with hot water – which it does on a daily basis."
"From my point of view," he continues, "the benefits of the new installation are most noticeable in spring months. The day's sun heats the hot water, but the central heating is still often required in the evening. During the winter the hot water may need ‘topping up', while in the summer the central heating is not required."
Stephen's attitude to the replacement of the boiler in his property, and the incorporation of SolarSmart, is a credit to him, something his environmentally-aware workmates should be proud of, and another ‘cog in the wheel' that should bring long-term benefits to us all.
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