Piping between solar panel and cylinder

HPT

Hi all,

I replaced all the plumbing in my house about 3 years ago. I went for a 3 zone heating system with a gas-fuelled condensing boiler. The hot and cold water is pressurised and both are stored in a shed (block built) outside. I've a 300L Solar Cylinder and a 3 or 4 bar pump. There's a hot return on the system too. They are all long runs but everything is lagged.

I got the plumber to run copper from the cylinder to the roof. I'm 99% sure the joints are soldered since that's how all the other joints in the system were made. From memory I think it's 1inch copper. I didn't get solar panels when I was doing the job but I'm looking into getting them now. The plumber wasn't interested in doing the Solar part of the job.

I've heard some plumbers say they would rather run their own piping from the cylinder to the roof. I can understand that from a warranty and responsibility point of view but is there any reason that the copper that's in place wouldn't be suitable?

Thanks for reading.

Pete67

No reason that I can think of - your plumber would most likely carry out a pressure test before using the existing pipework to satisfy himself that it was OK. Obviously any leaks found during pressure testing would need to be repaired prior to use.

yoshytoshy

Theres certain solar that melts solder joints ,something to keep in mind.

HPT

Pete67 wrote: »

No reason that I can think of - your plumber would most likely carry out a pressure test before using the existing pipework to satisfy himself that it was OK. Obviously any leaks found during pressure testing would need to be repaired prior to use.

Thanks. I was thinking the same myself.

My main concern would be in relation to higher temperatures that the solar circuit would be carrying.

paddy147

I really need to stop taking pics of everything.My girlfriend rekons Im married to my camera,at this stage.:D

kscobie

it should be hard soldier, ie with the rothemberger rods (cupro). Soft soldier (silver soldier) would not be good enough. And make sure that the pipe insulation is armaflex, or similar, the standard insulation will only melt.

HPT

kscobie wrote: »

it should be hard soldier, ie with the rothemberger rods (cupro). Soft soldier (silver soldier) would not be good enough. And make sure that the pipe insulation is armaflex, or similar, the standard insulation will only melt.

Thanks, the solder looked pretty silver going on. The lagging used in general was the grey stuff. I doubt anything different was used for the pipes for the solar run.

wilser

sounds like the piping & lagging is unsuitable for solar, why not put the solar panel on the shed roof?

HPT

wilser wrote: »

sounds like the piping & lagging is unsuitable for solar, why not put the solar panel on the shed roof?

It does unfortunately...

The shed roof would be overshadowed at some stage by the houses behind. I'll have to check how much direct sunlight it gets and for how long. Thankfully it faces the same way as the house.