Buying a house with solar -help

BoatMad

Hi folks, I've read through tons of stuff here , but still would like some opinions

I'm in the process of buying a 5 year old house ( energy rating D, 1600 sq f, two story , 3beds ) that currently has solid fuel back boiler and solar heating only. The solar panel looks small about 3m by 2m , with big glass tubes

There about 8 rads downstairs and about 6 upstairs , zoned controls.

The solar systems has the usual controls, pump, controller and two sensors on the tank

I'm not sure if it has a thermal store or just a big indirect water cylinder with a solar coil and a boiler coil. ( it doesn't have loads of tap points like some thermal stores Ive seen )

I have my concerns that this system is way underpowered for the house , the rads are conventional steel , with TRVs.

I suspect I will have to add a LPG gas or oil condensing boiler to make it effective

Some questions

1. Are my initial thoughts about the power of the heating system right ? ( the system has plumbing that suggest it can be easily adapted to add a boiler , albeit a vented system)

2. I was surprised a house built recently , ( 5 years ) is BER D , would that be typical

3. How can I tell a thermal store from a big indirect cylinder

4. I will have the issue of connecting a vented system to a potentially unvented boiler system
(A) using a unvented thermal store , ( has this implications for gas boilers)
(B) install a heat exchanger and pressurise the rad circuits


5. The debate rages on re lpg or oil condensing boilers. Lpg would seem on the face of it to be a bit cheaper to install as I don't have to buy a oil tank , but I can easily self install an oil system. I am a capable diy plumber ( 3 houses ) whereas I can't self install lpg. It's looks like lpg boilers are a little cheaper then oil to buy but not much in it. I understand the advantages of modulating gas boilers, but there is no UFH here and it's all steel rads so I wonder re the advantages you do get 1200 l free of gas which might help after I'm broke buying all this gear !

6 reading the calor tech specs I may struggle to site a big gas tank and may have to go with the multiple smaller clyinder approach , anyone have any views there. ?

7. If I don't have a proper thermal store , should I consider installing one as an alternative to heat exchangers. There are expensive though.

Thanks for any feedback

Top Corner

BoatMad wrote: »

Hi folks, I've read through tons of stuff here , but still would like some opinions

I'm in the process of buying a 5 year old house ( energy rating D, 1600 sq f, two story , 3beds ) that currently has solid fuel back boiler and solar heating only. The solar panel looks small about 3m by 2m , with big glass tubes

There about 8 rads downstairs and about 6 upstairs , zoned controls.

The solar systems has the usual controls, pump, controller and two sensors on the tank

I'm not sure if it has a thermal store or just a big indirect water cylinder with a solar coil and a boiler coil. ( it doesn't have loads of tap points like some thermal stores Ive seen )

I have my concerns that this system is way underpowered for the house , the rads are conventional steel , with TRVs.

I suspect I will have to add a LPG gas or oil condensing boiler to make it effective

Some questions

1. Are my initial thoughts about the power of the heating system right ? ( the system has plumbing that suggest it can be easily adapted to add a boiler , albeit a vented system)

2. I was surprised a house built recently , ( 5 years ) is BER D , would that be typical

3. How can I tell a thermal store from a big indirect cylinder

4. I will have the issue of connecting a vented system to a potentially unvented boiler system
(A) using a unvented thermal store , ( has this implications for gas boilers)
(B) install a heat exchanger and pressurise the rad circuits


5. The debate rages on re lpg or oil condensing boilers. Lpg would seem on the face of it to be a bit cheaper to install as I don't have to buy a oil tank , but I can easily self install an oil system. I am a capable diy plumber ( 3 houses ) whereas I can't self install lpg. It's looks like lpg boilers are a little cheaper then oil to buy but not much in it. I understand the advantages of modulating gas boilers, but there is no UFH here and it's all steel rads so I wonder re the advantages you do get 1200 l free of gas which might help after I'm broke buying all this gear !

6 reading the calor tech specs I may struggle to site a big gas tank and may have to go with the multiple smaller clyinder approach , anyone have any views there. ?

7. If I don't have a proper thermal store , should I consider installing one as an alternative to heat exchangers. There are expensive though.

Thanks for any feedback

Your solar tubes are for your hot water only and not for central heating