Micro CHP for domestic build

K3v

Does anyone have any experience in or knowledge of domestic Micro CHP boilers? I am just starting to research what heating system to put into my house. It will be a 2500 sq ft dormer with UFH. Ideally if anyone had any information on the cost comparisons of oil condensed burner and Geo thermal compared to the mico chp system it would be of great help to me.

OwenM

Doesn't CHP stand for combined heat and power? I thought only hospitals and hotels had these.

If i'm right, why are you generating your own power, do you live on an island?

K3v

Here is a video demonstration of a domestic Micro CHP boiler.

http://www.cerespower.com/InvestorRelations/PresentationsandVideos/CHPProductDemonstration/

Its a relatively new domestic heating option and I am interested if it is as good as it is being made out to be. Have yet to see any costings or comparisons to other domestic heating options.

DublinDilbert

OwenM wrote: »

Doesn't CHP stand for combined heat and power? I thought only hospitals and hotels had these.

If i'm right, why are you generating your own power, do you live on an island?

Soon houses will be having these too, to achieve greater efficiency from their heating system. It also avoids power losses in the grid getting power from money point for example to dublin. If every house could generate a killowatt here and there it would make a big difference.

JohnnieK

It's looking like BAXI will be the first to bring one out in the domestic market. I cant remember the name of the model. Viessmann and Worcester also have one in the pipelines. Like every thing else it's going on release in the UK in october but not sure when it will be out here.

nollaigoc

Check out -

www.freewatt.com
http://www.baxi-senertec.co.uk/
http://www.vaillant.de/Vaillantnews/article/Vaillant_News.html

Vaillant are in the process of releasing their micro-chp system which incorporates the Honda MCHP... similar component to that used in the freewatt.

Check out -

http://www.microchap.info/

All the info you need though he does neglect the US.

OwenM

Very interesting, will have a look at all of these. It is a well kept secret.

What about reverse metering? Is this allowed in Ireland yet and wouldn't you need it to make this viable?

Rds,
Owen.

heinbloed

10,000-15,000 Euros for a 2-3 kw boiler?
Madness!
The less thermal energy houses need the more manufacturers do rip the occupants off.

And every kwh from these things costs how much? Provided there is a demand of 1-2 kwh paralel with the thermal demand, no modulation, no choice for thermal or electricity production.....

Turn on a light and you must heat your house. Or turn on the heating and you must run the toaster.
Imagine all the thermal energy created by a car engine must be used whilest driving it.

heinbloed

The fuel eficiency of these things is about the same as of a condensing boiler. Provided one can use both outputs (electricity and thermal energy) paralel. Any storage of either electricity or thermal energy and down the fuel efficiency goes.
So plenty of money and no saved energy.
Vaillant became aware of this and is not putting it's gimmik onto the market, despite showing it on every trade show. Next year they said 3 years ago, and two years ago and last year. And this year just two weeks ago at the ISH in Frankfurt: next year, sure....

A plain Diesel generator for € 150.- with an air-to-air/water heat exchanger comes at what price?

Mike2006

Here is a cut and paste of a reply I gave to a similar question a while back.




When I first saw these I was very interested in them as they looked to be very progressive. As I was about to build a new house I delved in a bit deeper and then they did not appeal to me as much.

The main reason was that they seem to be more suited to older poorly insulated properties as they require a substantial thermal load (3 to 7 kW) for reasonably long periods to make them economical. With a new build which was to be built with a high level of airtightness and insulation, I was not going to achieve the required thermal load to let the unit run efficiently..

They are a great system and I think they will play a big part in home in the future but it is just something to consider if you are seriously looking into one.
At a saving of about €500-€600 per year on your electricity bill (when ran at full efficiency) there would be a 10-12 year payback on one of them I reckon..

Mike.

K3v

Mike2006 wrote: »

Here is a cut and paste of a reply I gave to a similar question a while back.




When I first saw these I was very interested in them as they looked to be very progressive. As I was about to build a new house I delved in a bit deeper and then they did not appeal to me as much.

The main reason was that they seem to be more suited to older poorly insulated properties as they require a substantial thermal load (3 to 7 kW) for reasonably long periods to make them economical. With a new build which was to be built with a high level of airtightness and insulation, I was not going to achieve the required thermal load to let the unit run efficiently..

They are a great system and I think they will play a big part in home in the future but it is just something to consider if you are seriously looking into one.
At a saving of about €500-€600 per year on your electricity bill (when ran at full efficiency) there would be a 10-12 year payback on one of them I reckon..

Mike.

As a matter of interest Mike2006, what heating system did you go with after?

Mike2006

I eventually went with 20m2 of solar tubes, condensing oil boiler, 15kW stove and a thermal store.

If you do a search here you can read in detail what I did regarding controls etc...

Mike.

L driver

Hi Mike,
What did your system cost, if you don't mind, a ballpark figure will do.

Mike2006

Including UFH (2 floors), Thermal store, solar arrangement, cond boiler, stove, controls etc.. and installation. I reckon around the 25k mark. I hada €1,600 worth of underground zero loss pipe in that as well.

Mike.