B&Q Solar

[ephraim_pule]

Someone has generated a huge debate about B&Q entry into the toy-end of the windmill business.

Whatever you think about the national needs, it's a tad irrelevant for the householder / DIYer .....

(Please don't let's argue wind power here.... this is about solar panels for DHW)

BUT, B&Q has also announced that they will be selling DIY Solar water heating panels and fittings.

Has anyone seen this kit? Is it any good?

Do they have worksheets with ideas for fitting? I'm keen to put something simple on my roof to clip off something off my DHW costs.

Any ideas about what these panels could generate and how they could be used?

EP

[Doki]

IIRC water heating can pay for itself. Electricity can't.

[Steve Firth]

Yes.

No, and it's overpriced to an amusing extent.

[Mary Fisher]

That's Usenet!

It's not.

...

As we did. But from a specialist supplier, who supplied EVERYTHING.

They heat water, when there's no cloud in summer we get a lot of very hot water, less hot when it's cloudy. In winter we get a lot of usable hot water (no matter what the air temperature is), less when it's cloudy. Even when the water isn't a usable temperature it's warmer than the mains so not as much power is used to heat it to the temperature you like.

Mary

[Mr Harry]

I have seen these in store and they look OK!

They are made by a company called RMSolar

and come with a 20 year warranty. The life expectancy is 35 years. The panels have full certification to BS/EN12975 parts 1 & 2 and are designed specifically for the UK climate.

There are three sizes of kit available (1 panel, 2 panel and 3 panel) depending on your size of property. Each system includeds everything needed for a working system.

You can either fit it yourself or get their installers to do it. There are installation diagrams on their website. There's a =A340 fee for the initial survey where they recommend which system you need, positioning etc. This is refunded when you purchase a system.

The system contains glycol and works down to minus 30 degrees C. They claim that the system can generate up to 70% of your annual hot water.

Payback is about 6 years..I'm sure that as people start to buy them the price will fall over subsequent years.

harry

[Mr Harry]

Show me a comparable system for less money..

Harry.

[Mr Harry]

The B&Q kits come with all the controls, pumps etc needed for a working system. They claim you don't ned to buy anything other than the kit itself.

harry

[Mary Fisher]

We had all that plus instructions plus very good telephone help, a 25 year guarantee and no survey fee.

Oh, our pump is driven by a pv panel so there's no input from the grid.

We are very happy.

Mary

[ephraim_pule]

Mr Harry Thanks for your response.

How refreshing to see facts rather than rants.

Now I'm keen to have a look at B&Q's deal. It seems worth a consideration. I'm keen to incorporate some value panels with a design I've been planning for some time.

If you boast any skills in DIY/plumbing/electrics/common-sense a good deal will be apparent!

EP

[Staffbull]

I'm surprised bio oils have not been played with to fuel oil fired boilers ( I'd be in like a shot) I used to run a Mitsubishi Pajero on neat Veg oil :-) ran like a dream, just made me hungry with the smell :-). Biofuel technology must sureley be a winner, it lets out oxygen as it grows and so its carbon footprint is nil.

[Steve Firth]

I can't show you anything that poor. However the system I have installed cost less than half the price of the B&Q s**te, and it has 2x20 vacuum tube solar collectors, not some cheapskate flat panel rubbish.

[Steve Firth]

So why buy now and pay an inflated price?

[David Sims]

For some realistic pricing from a good company:

[Matt]

Biofuels on a large scale give you the option of either eating food in the manner to which you have become accustomed ........or going hungry whilst driving round in an "eco friendly" car.

[Mr Harry]

I'm not sure it's a "good deal" as such.

Yes, I haven't seen anything comparable for cheaper so in that respect it is a good deal. However, B&Q will (Presumably) sell thousands of these units meaning they will probably be cheaper in a year of two.

So...is the better deal to buy now and start saving on gas or wait a couple of years until the system is cheaper but pay higher gas bills in the meantime?

Similar happened when B&Q started selling fixed air conditioning units. They were originally on sale for =A31200 odd. Now, five or so years later, they can be had for around =A3500.

Harry

[Mr Harry]

So...where did you buy these cheap vacuum tubes from..? I'd be very, very interested in seeing a costing for a fully installed system at less than =A3800..

Normally a 20 tube panel would cost =A3750-=A31000 upwards alone and you are looking at =A32500 to =A33000 for all the parts (Ex installation)

Harry

[Mr Harry]

I must admit I really like the idea of a PV powered pump. Dunno if it's cost effective but it's certainly a neat solution.

Harry

[Mary Fisher]

Why shouldn't it be?

[Mr Harry]

Well, if the energy it saves over the lifespan of the panel is less than the cost to buy it.

[Steve Firth]

Solaware, Bristol. They advertise regularly on eBay.