Plumbing Systems for New Build

ferryman35

Good Morning!

We're just at that stage of a new build where we're getting down to details on plumbing.

We're using a Gledhill Torrent Thermal Store which combines the heat from solar tubes, backboiler stove and back up gas boiler, and heats the hot water through an externally mounted plate heat exchanger. This gives us mains pressure hot water and balances the pressure at the shower mixers etc..

A recirculating hot water system has been suggested to us but Gledhill don't recommend this with their system - so would a manifold system be a better option than branch & tee?

Thanks in advance!

Calahonda52

Interesting
:
This gives us mains pressure hot water and balances the pressure at the shower mixers etc..

This means you have a rising main RM feed to the this system as well to kitchen sink and the Feed and expansion tank that usually comes with these.

Is this number of connections from the RM permitted under Irish Water regulations?

I hasten to add, am just asking: also if the RM is off, how are you fixed?

ferryman35

Well,

I should say in the interest of accuracy that the 'mains' pressure actually comes from the pressure system in the garage (in our case) - a eps type system or similar....so the household system is not connected directly to the supplier mains. These systems have a reserve, s you have some cover if the water is off, but the electricity is another story.....

In our case we're using an existing private water supply so water is less of an issue than power. I was actually thinking that for this reason pv solar might make a lot of sense if it was set up to top up back up batteries that might keep essential systems function is power was out for a while.....obviously wouldn't run the whole house, but enough to keep the bare essentals functioning.

Calahonda52

Thanks for the reply, just shows you what happens when we assume..:)
As you know the issue with solar pv is battery life and the price of what are called deep cycle batteries.

Solar PV straight into one of the elements on the Hot water cylinder maybe but I think ifs power outage is an issue then a decent electric start jennie might be a better buy.

I have two small inverters in my place, one for the central heating and one for the broadband. I have a spare car battery and I can always use the car battery as backup, not very efficient I know but it works

Can you post the exact model u are getting just for interest and try answer your other question: I do install their kit which I find good but nothing as advanced as what you have in mind

freddyuk

Are you top loading the thermal store? Also if you have PV input for well power and/or home power you could have a diverter to use all the PV when not charging battery it goes into the house loads and thermal store via immersion. You may consider PV instead of thermal for DHW purpose as thermal does not charge batteries but is more effective at heating water but PV can do both. Power outages are not normally critical so a little battery back up will keep the freezer going. If you are going 100% Off Grid then a generator is required as ultimate back up and charging facility.