Solar Heating / Power

[Troll]

Anyone got this gubbins on their roofs?
The thought of not using gas to heat water in the summer is attractive - thinking about building the collector myself (cheapskate & I need a project to do at home ) and enough info on t'internat to avoid the pitfalls

or should I just spend the 20k and get someone in to do it?

[shaunbhoy]

Why not look into ways of simply harnessing some of the hot air that you produce as a matter of course?

HTH

[moorfield]

Nope. Looked at them but a waste of money IMO. I think the only way solar panels is going to take off is if all new builds from now on have to install them and that would take a generation to happen.

Spent our eco budget instead on a new boiler with the hot water tank inside it rather than in another part of the house. It has noticeably helped to reduce our heating bills this year.

[original PM]

my in laws got some a few years ago

they expect to breakeven after about 15 years assuming no major change in number of sunlight hours over the course of a year.

makes them feel green n groovy.

[n5gooner]

I thought they only lasted for about 17 - 23 years.....

[Paddy]

Anyone got this gubbins on their roofs?
The thought of not using gas to heat water in the summer is attractive - thinking about building the collector myself (cheapskate & I need a project to do at home ) and enough info on t'internat to avoid the pitfalls

or should I just spend the 20k and get someone in to do it?

I think they are too costly. I would like give DIY a go using some pipes, aluminium sheet black paint, Perspex and a heat pump a go.

[DimPrawn]

Buy Solfex CPC 6 INOX 4 PANEL Domestic Hot Water Solar Kits Online DSK05926

Don't forget the ladder.

[d000hg]

I think they are too costly. I would like give DIY a go using some pipes, aluminium sheet black paint, Perspex and a heat pump a go.

I'd prefer boring technology of radiators and pipes too, you can even dispense with the heat pump. Solar panels don't convince me.

[DimPrawn]

I'd prefer boring technology..

Zzzzzzzzzzz

[moorfield]

... And I never understand this rubbish about turning room thermostats down a few degrees. Most boilers run at 72-80degs and water tanks at 60+degs and they never tell you to turn those down. Most systems (in our house anyway) except in the harsher winters can run quite adequately nearer 50-55degs which if you do you the specific heat capacity maths is a colossal energy saving.