Alternative Energy - GSHP, Sloar, ASHP, Wind

yop

Lads

Just wondering anyone on here who has recently installed an alternative heat source, what your experiences are so far, any advice, shocks, things you would do differently.

There are a good few of us who are contemplating or about to install but would appreciate your experience or comments.

Cheers

GG66

I'm in a similar position. Looking for sustainable alternatives to Oil. So while I don't have experience using any of these, I'm interested in discussing it.

I'm renovating a house and extending to 2000 sqft, and will have underfloor heating.

I've looked into pretty much everything but still can't decide. It's very difficult to get realiable information from anyone. A lot of "environmentally sensitive" Sales people out there.

At the moment i'm swaying towards a wood chip boiler. Why? well I can get one for 5000 eu + install and supply my entire hot water needs from it including showers, washing and underfloor heating. No need for any additional heat source. I could add solar panels to heat water in summer rather than use bioler when no heat is needed.

GSHP or ASHP quotes are coming in at 12-18K and then I need electricty to run them. Since 80-90% of Irish Electricity is coming from Fossil Fuels, it's not the most environmentally concious route (IMHO) and the price is linked to rising oil prices ie. UPWARDS.

Running underfloor heating off solar panels is possible, but during winter not very feasible.

Anyone with a real life story?

GG

aislingw

Where do you get wood chip boilers - we're interested in a wood pellet boiler but I think I'd prefer not to be so dependent on pellets in particular.

GG66

I haven't researched a lot of supplier yet just one local supplier.

Solar Energy Ireland supply wood chip boilers but they also have one which can run on multiple fule types including Wood Chips.

http://www.solarenergyireland.com/pellet_boiler_futura_plus.htm

You may also find something in the Green Pages directory,

http://tinyurl.com/bxdgq

let me know if you find alternative suppliers.

gnol

I'd be interested in a heat pump as an alternative energy source for my central heating but rather that a geo-thermal option, I'd prefer the newer option of using the air in my back garden. Has anyone researched this?

yop

Aerothermal or Air sourced heat pumps, if you google these or go to the DIY section on boards there are threads there on GEO and ASHP.

Air sourced would be seen as been the least efficent of all the alternative energys but definately google for it and read the threads on boards.

UNEDO

SEI will give you a listing of suppliers of stoves and pellets .

My experience tells me that there is a lot to be learned about these .
I had identified the particular stove that I wanted to get-small, nice design, efficient etc but only when I got hold of the technical manual so that I could adivse builder of requirements re flue , air intake etc did I find out that the fire chamber has to be cleaned daily? that was that so am back to the drawing board again on this.