Solar Water Heaters linked to Combi boiler

On 26 Feb 2006 20:05:33 -0800 someone who may be snipped-for-privacy@care2.com wrote this:-

So, a new house as well.

On Sun, 26 Feb 2006 20:36:24 -0000 someone who may be "Doctor Drivel" wrote this:-

So, a new house.

In a new house. Not so easy otherwise.

I have seen many things, but that does not mean they are ideal. Far easier to lay ducts in attics than under floors.

A wet solar powered heating system is not something I advocated.

Can be. Depends.

Can be easily done though.

A new house to put a couple of holes in the wall?

On Mon, 27 Feb 2006 11:54:36 -0000 someone who may be "Doctor Drivel" wrote this:-

Unless the house consists of just one room there is rather more to heating a house with warm air than putting a couple of holes in the wall.

Firstly, 3-port valves on CH systems are not suitable for mains pressure water.

Secondly, in this case, a proper solar heat bank/thermal store, that takes heat from the boiler and solar panels and ouputs heat to the DHW and even CH if an integrated store is used. Preheating solar water for a combi is ridiculous when a heat bank (DHW only or integrated CH/DHW) can do it better, use a cheaper simpler boiler, and maintain high flowrates at all times.

Nothing is to be gained by using an unvented cylinder preheating a combi. Only preheating a multi-point makes some sense when forced air heating is used. Then on close examination a solar heat bank and using a cheap and simple boiler with a blending valve on the boiler's flow and return, will probably be more cost effective and again have higher flowrates at all times, and never run out of hot water either. When teh store is deleted the boiler can supply instant hot water at the taps by use of the blending valve at a reduced flowrate. The higher the power the more the instantly heated hot water.