Oil boilers, combi or not?

[jenki]

Just noticed that should have said Vented tank!

 

[wookie]

We've got this setup with solar panels - evacuated tubes through a second coil in the tank and PV connected to the immersion via a diverter. Solar provides a good boost from spring to autumn with no gas burnt at all for hot water over the summer months, we even get a small boost on sunny but sub zero days in the depths of winter.

Any pictures / diagrams / specs etc ?

If it works for you up in Scotland it should work well for me down here in N.Wales. I was originally only thinking of PV but I'm open to other ways of saving money.

 

[Kayos]

Solar thermal is interesting, on a hot day the glycol mix can get hot enough to melt solder, hence why it’s installed with compression only

 

[armalites]

I fitted solar thermal when I redid my roof, the tubes are not in because I haven't done all the internal stuff yet. I used a place that happens to be fairly local who are happy to supply to the public. Sensible money too. I have 2 30 tube panels.

Their page has loads of useful info

http://www.eco-nomical.co.uk/

Mine are piped with a special stainless flexi tubing, it's not cheap but the only joints are where it connects and it comes with pre-installed insulation and it's very for retro fits because routing is not an issue.

It's insane that you have to use compression fittings as it can melt solder as @Kayos says.

 

[garethp]

Any pictures / diagrams / specs etc ?

If it works for you up in Scotland it should work well for me down here in N.Wales. I was originally only thinking of PV but I'm open to other ways of saving money.

I'll do a post tomorrow night and I'll try not to ramble on

 

[wookie]

Solar thermal is interesting, on a hot day the glycol mix can get hot enough to melt solder, hence why it’s installed with compression only

Reading the link @armalites posted there is a picture showing the solar collector at 229°C and they say it hit a maximum of 234°C later that day, all with an ambient air temp was only 22°C

@garethp Cheers, I'm looking forward to it

 

[dobbslc]

I burnt my hand yesterday on the garden hose water that was laying on the grass for a few hours!!!
I'm gonna run loads on my roof and pipe it to the shower!

 

[Farside]

I have an IBC container I've been keeping for use as a thermal store, but I also have a 1000L rectangular steel oil tank that's a much handier size, when it comes to fitting somewhere. Mention up there ^^^ of feeding the thermal store direct from a Rayburn got me thinking. If the steel tank was used as a thermal store and heavily dosed with corrosion inhibitor, I wonder how well it would last.
That's one option. The other is to utilise a bulk milk container that's been superceded by a bigger one on many farms around here. With a push to bigger herds, the dairymen have been tossing out their stainless 250gallon tanks or selling them for little more than scrap value. No problems with long term corrosion then (or not much, I know ss isn't entirely proof against rot, but with a dosing of inhibitor, it would last a loooooong time).

I still have a deep borehole around the back, but can't sell it.