Want to install new multi-source heating system....

[Reuben_D]

I want to replace my oil-fired heating with a system which will heat from a solid fuel stove with a back-boiler. I want it to heat both central heating and hot water, and to use electricity as back up for the hot water. Basically I'm interested in setting something up in such a way that I can use multiple heat/energy inputs - for example I may add solar in the future. I don't currently have a hot water or cold water tank - my existing boiler is a mains fed combi. I've a rough idea how to set about it, but I could use some expert advice from those who have perhaps done something similar. Any advioce about good sources of information, books etc gratefully recieved.

R.

[Mary Fisher]

Reuben, mail me,

Mary

[dom]

Sounds like you want a solid fuel Rayburn!

you're willing to "forage" for fuel, running costs can be very low

- but you have to be willing to keep up with the daily duties of running the thing.

You will also need gravity circulation to a hot water cylinder (I think there's a fancier solution now that combines both gravity and pumped) and an extra coil in the cylinder to hook up solar water heating.

I'm sure an Aga shop will be willing to talk it over - they're probably experiencing a little downturn of customers right now with the price of oil.

[David Hansen]

On Thu, 12 Jun 2008 09:26:25 -0700 (PDT) someone who may be Reuben_D wrote this:-

Sounds like a good reason to use a thermal store, or heat bank if you have hard water. Put in a coil for the solar, the circulating water for solar should be under higher pressure and is thus not suitable for mixing in the store. There are some extra requirements for a boiler which is not rapidly controllable.

Fit coils for showers and domestic hot water. Then you can have mains pressure showers and gravity fed hot water if you wish, or both mains fed if you wish.

[cynic]

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