Sofath System Heat Pump or Solar Panels for heating Domestic Hot Water

Squeaksoutloud

Hi,

I am looking at installing a Sofath Hot Water System instead of solar panels. My plumber tells me that it is much better than using solar panels.

This is the product here:

http://www.sofath.com/english/domestic-hot-water/dhw-compact-200l-airgeo-heat-pump.htm

It is basically an air source heat pump connected directly to a cylinder.

Anyone have any feedback or advice on this system versus solar panels? Seems like hot water 365 days a year at a very low runnin cost..

Cheers

Squeaksoutloud

Anyone have any advice to offer me on this?!! Solar Panels V Small Heat Pump directly to boiler.

I saw a previous thread on this that was closed which had some info but would love to hear from anyone who has tried it..

I'll put a reference to this thread in the renewable section in case anyone there has any experience with it. Cheers.

Condenser

COP's on these units generally do not leave you much better off than oil except in warm weather because you are constantly trying to achieve 50C+, which is not a temp where heat pumps perform well.
Having said that, at least you would be achieving hot water all the time which cannot be said of solar.
Some of these units run off extracted air from bathrooms etc which is not an efficient use of energy but if it were after heat exchange in a HRV it would be quite a good solution.
Personally I wouldn't use either as you can create an awful lot of hot water for 3-4k. I'd rather use it to improve insulation so I could move to a more economical heating system down the line.

Squeaksoutloud

Cheers condenser.

I understand what you mean by using the money elsewhere but I am building to the 2011 regs so require some sort of renewable source. As we decided to opt for a condensing oil boiler in the end (due to budget constraints and ensuring we had HRV, airtightness and excellent insulation throughout) I need to put wither solar or this system in.

I have left provision for future installation of a heat pump for space heating/hot water so perhaps I would just be better off getting the solar for the moment and installing the heat pump in a few years if i feel it worthwhile. If I did go with this system I could end up with two separate heat pumps doing the same thing (but only a maybe at this stage!).

I fitted a similar product that my firm make a few months age for a friend and it works very well, the way I look at it is they do a similar job as a 3 kw immersion but in my case the heat pump only uses 3/4 of a KW and will heat the water up to 55c. Given a choice I'd fit a air to water heat pump over solar.

Condenser

Squeaksoutloud wrote: »

Cheers condenser.

I understand what you mean by using the money elsewhere but I am building to the 2011 regs so require some sort of renewable source. As we decided to opt for a condensing oil boiler in the end (due to budget constraints and ensuring we had HRV, airtightness and excellent insulation throughout) I need to put wither solar or this system in.

I have left provision for future installation of a heat pump for space heating/hot water so perhaps I would just be better off getting the solar for the moment and installing the heat pump in a few years if i feel it worthwhile. If I did go with this system I could end up with two separate heat pumps doing the same thing (but only a maybe at this stage!).

Only if you absolutely must install something. Unless the council come knocking I'd save your cash. I'm assuming the house is already up and running. If not put your 2k from your boiler with your 4k for the panels and you'll have the guts of a HP paid for. You'll save the difference in less than 4 years.

Squeaksoutloud

Condenser wrote: »

Only if you absolutely must install something. Unless the council come knocking I'd save your cash. I'm assuming the house is already up and running. If not put your 2k from your boiler with your 4k for the panels and you'll have the guts of a HP paid for. You'll save the difference in less than 4 years.

Interesting! Oil boiler for space heating & Solar for DHW versus Air Source Heat Pump for space heating and DHW...

As you say the price difference might not be massive plus you will meet your Part L requirements.

braka

Squeaksoutloud wrote: »

Anyone have any advice to offer me on this?!! Solar Panels V Small Heat Pump directly to boiler.

I saw a previous thread on this that was closed which had some info but would love to hear from anyone who has tried it..

I'll put a reference to this thread in the renewable section in case anyone there has any experience with it. Cheers.

Hi, Just to let you know that I carried out (and am still carrying out) energy measurements on the Thermodynamic system that I got installed a few months ago.

The full discussion is at
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056600822.

I can only add that we have abundance of hot water using 3-4 units of electricity / day so far.
I would expect that during the winter this will change and that why I'm taking daily measurements and when I have them all compiled I intend to let people know the exact story with this Thermodynamic system.
If you want any further info, just let me know but there are already lots of other contributors on this Thermodynamic system who have submitted photos and comments also.