solar water heating
 

Hi
I am new to the forum and have bought a flat on vista esuri. Water is heated by a direct feed gas heater, This seems crazy to me as there is so much sunshine, Has any one got experience of retro fitting a solar system to heat water, I have a roof terrace so no problem with mounting the kit, Any ideas on practicality, costs and companies who provide this service.
Many thanks
Kay O-ness

Re: solar water heating
 

It is probably cheaper to change to a well insulated electric tank on a timer especially if you have an dual tariff where the electricity is less than half price between 10pm and noon next day.

A solar water heating system will take many years to recoup the initial cost.

Of course it does depend on usage. A family living here full time with three kids will be a very difference scenario to a couple in a holiday apartment.

Re: solar water heating
 

Hi

To build a solar heater oneself is relatively simple and inexpensive. To buy a professional heater is around 1,000€ upwards. I´ve done the sums; living alone I spend less than 100€ a year on gas heating water for washing. Even with the expected increase in price every year, it´s not worth while.

For friends with young teenage girls that can take an hour to shower - it´s worth every penny!!!

I thought there was a law in Andalucia that meant every new property had to have solar heaters?

Davex

Re: solar water heating
 

My husband is in the process of building an experimental solar water panel. Cost expected to be under 100 euros if we can get hold of a second hand tank! Initially it's just for bathwater as we have a huge bath and a small electric tank. I'll keep you informed how it goes :) He's not finishing it until it stops raining :D

Re: solar water heating
 

Yes there was a new law in I think July 2006 and all the property now being sold on Esuri received planning approval before then and construction had commenced. The requirement for solar water heating does not apply.

Re: solar water heating
 

There is a guy around who has done the conversion from gas to electric water heating so would know the ins and outs but unless you go for the best tank with excellent insulation as Fred says it is probably not worth it for a holiday flat.

Re: solar water heating
 

If it is a holiday flat used just a few weeks a year the costs for mains gas standing charges will look high so some have looked at conversion to bottled gas which because it is subsidised is cheaper. However JonBXL did post that even for his usage which was quite high it did not balance savings against costs. Of course if the boiler is bust and needs to be replaced anyway it does change the equation significantly.

There has been much posted in the past on here about this problem have a hunt around for the threads.