Getting solar installed

trixyben

If you were to get a solar system installed would you just get a plumer to install it or is there specially trained plumbers to install solar?

I just dont want the local plumber to say yeah he can do it (were he guesses along the way) or would a very experienced plumber be well able to do it?

Any help here would be great

kscobie

go onto www.seai.ie , go to the greener homes scheme, and click on registered installers list. Any installer will be able to apply for a grant of up to 1500 euro, and there is a large list for each county.

Joey the lips

Do no harm to get a few quotes...even the registered installers are selling mickey mouse packages.

To be honest you want a sizable package...about 30 tubes. Twin coil or stainless steel pressurised cylinder type of package.

kscobie

Or 2/3 panels, and like so much in life, the cheapest is'nt always the best, price the system yourself too:)

Joey the lips

kscobie wrote: »

Or 2/3 panels, and like so much in life, the cheapest is'nt always the best, price the system yourself too:)

Would not use panels...

Tubes have a greater advantage..

More efficent - why larger surface area... as you are getting nearly 180 degrees of an arc.

Easier to replace - tube is easier to preplace of problem..

Lastly plumbers opinion that [EMAIL="sh@t"]sh@t[/EMAIL] from birds rolls off tubes easier.

Joey the lips

Joey the lips wrote: »

Lastly plumbers opinion that [EMAIL="sh@t"]sh@t[/EMAIL] from birds rolls off tubes easier.

I'll think you will find it depends on the size of the bird and what they had for dinner.

bamboozle

the number of tubes you need etc is dependent on the orientation of the house, be sure to ask the plumbers if they are sei registered, i asked the plumbers who installed my panels if they had much experience installing solar, they said they'd done it loads of times, just opted not to mention they were not sei registered, so i had to get another registered installer to commission my system before qualifying for the grant.

on the renewables board there are a few guys who have solar companies sharing their knowledge!

kscobie

Joey the lips wrote: »

Would not use panels...

Tubes have a greater advantage..

More efficent - why larger surface area... as you are getting nearly 180 degrees of an arc.

Easier to replace - tube is easier to preplace of problem..

Lastly plumbers opinion that sh@t from birds rolls off tubes easier.

As a trade, we like to stick to and recommend what we know and like, and generally steer customers towards our preference! I have no problem with the tubes but prefer the panels, fit them and should not need to go at them again on the roof, but in saying that, there are some rubbish panels out there too

foxboy

kscobie wrote: »

go onto www.seai.ie , go to the greener homes scheme, and click on registered installers list. Any installer will be able to apply for a grant of up to 1500 euro, and there is a large list for each county.

be very careful of the registered ones also, had one from Carlow do mine in April and have had notting but problems i.e. roof leaking, system leaking, non-return valve not fitted, anti scald valve not fitted, system over-presurizing ( 6 Bar + ) and that's only what i have found myself I am getting an engineer to check everything next week

ntpm

foxboy wrote: »

be very careful of the registered ones also, had one from Carlow do mine in April and have had notting but problems i.e. roof leaking, system leaking, non-return valve not fitted, anti scald valve not fitted, system over-presurizing ( 6 Bar + ) and that's only what i have found myself I am getting an engineer to check everything next week

Get lots of quotes and refrences and even go and see installation.

Being on the SEAI just usually means you did a course are tax compliant and registered... haven't heard of any one being struck of the list for poor workmanship ie, do not know about their inspection criteria.

foxboy

ntpm wrote: »

Get lots of quotes and refrences and even go and see installation.

Being on the SEAI just usually means you did a course are tax compliant and registered... haven't heard of any one being struck of the list for poor workmanship ie, do not know about their inspection criteria.

I requested a SEAI inspection and they said they couldn't guarantee one
but would flag the installer for inspections
I had a condensing boiler fitted and it was inspected last week but the inspector missed the circulating pump being wired wrong :mad:
so should we have inspectors inspecting the inspectors :eek:

ntpm

foxboy wrote: »

I requested a SEAI inspection and they said they couldn't guarantee one
but would flag the installer for inspections
I had a condensing boiler fitted and it was inspected last week but the inspector missed the circulating pump being wired wrong :mad:
so should we have inspectors inspecting the inspectors :eek:

Hopefully they will inspect and get the installer to rectify fault... or might give you a report so you can get some compensation fron the installer and get someone else to fix it.

Well lets hope the SEAI inspection comes good.

reilig

How many registered Solar Installers are actually Plumbers????
I know of at least 2 registered installers in County Leitrim that are not plumbers - they have just completed the solar course.
If I was getting something like this installed, I'd prefer to have a plumber doing the job than some guy who did a course for a few weeks to enable you to get a grant on what he installs.

I suppose at the end of the day, the best way to choose an installer is to get a list of contacts for people that they already worked for and call them for references.