solar water heating
Dec 27th 2013, 3:31 pm
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2
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
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
Dec 27th 2013, 4:15 pm
#2
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Granada Costa
Posts: 10,899
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.
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.
Dec 27th 2013, 4:36 pm
#3
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Beckenham, London borough Bromley
Posts: 1,617
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
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
Dec 27th 2013, 8:36 pm
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2009
Location: Aracena area Huelva Spain
Posts: 1,631
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 
He's not finishing it until it stops raining
Dec 28th 2013, 9:15 am
#5
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Puente Esuri
Posts: 6,903
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
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
Dec 28th 2013, 9:28 am
#6
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Puente Esuri
Posts: 6,903
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.
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.
Dec 28th 2013, 9:35 am
#7
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Puente Esuri
Posts: 6,903
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.
There has been much posted in the past on here about this problem have a hunt around for the threads.
