Water Heating - By the Sun and from Wood
Solar Thermal
In 2003 we installed 30 evacuated thermal tubes to provide domestic hot water. The tubes are manufactured by a German company called Thermomax.
An electronic control unit and pump automatically circulates water (with anti-freeze) between the roof and hot water tank when the collectors on the roof are 8 degrees Celsius or more warmer then the bottom of the tank.
The system is extremely efficient. Between end-April and September we are largely self-sufficient on hot water from this system. On bright, sunny days the water tank will be raised to 60 degrees Celcius or higher. It is common for the tank to be at 80 degrees Celsius.
There is a pressure release valve on the top of the manifold (black top above the tubes) to release excess heat and pressure on exceptionally hot and sunny days.
During the Winter months the system will still raise the water temperature to 50 degrees Celius when it is very sunny. On very dull days there will be very limited temperature gain.
Our roof is orientated near due-South which is perfect.
An electronic control unit and pump automatically circulates water (with anti-freeze) between the roof and hot water tank when the collectors on the roof are 8 degrees Celsius or more warmer then the bottom of the tank.
The system is extremely efficient. Between end-April and September we are largely self-sufficient on hot water from this system. On bright, sunny days the water tank will be raised to 60 degrees Celcius or higher. It is common for the tank to be at 80 degrees Celsius.
There is a pressure release valve on the top of the manifold (black top above the tubes) to release excess heat and pressure on exceptionally hot and sunny days.
During the Winter months the system will still raise the water temperature to 50 degrees Celius when it is very sunny. On very dull days there will be very limited temperature gain.
Our roof is orientated near due-South which is perfect.
Water Heating from Wood
We have a very flexible heating system. When the sun doesn't shine for long enough and we wish to top the tank up with extra warmth we can fire up the wood burning stove and provide heat via an integral back boiler.
This back boiler can also be used to heat the radiators in the house. We can choose between providing hot water only, radiators only or both.
This stove is the heart of our house. Its a standard 'Herrick Medium', with maximum output 14KW (40,000 BTU, and is manufactured down the road in Buckfastleigh by Dean Forge.
We also have a smaller standalone wood burning stove which we use for space heating and water heating via a flat bottomed kettle.
We can also use an electrical immersion heater for topping up the temperature in the tank.
This back boiler can also be used to heat the radiators in the house. We can choose between providing hot water only, radiators only or both.
This stove is the heart of our house. Its a standard 'Herrick Medium', with maximum output 14KW (40,000 BTU, and is manufactured down the road in Buckfastleigh by Dean Forge.
We also have a smaller standalone wood burning stove which we use for space heating and water heating via a flat bottomed kettle.
We can also use an electrical immersion heater for topping up the temperature in the tank.
To be continued...