adding heat element to solar system

[wigz]

hi, a customer has asked if i can install another cylinder into their solar system as the water is not always hot enough. not been to look at the system yet
but don't the system usually have a way to heat the water other than solar, maybe a immersion, just wondering what is the usual cause for action here?
maybe install unvented cylinder for hot water. or maybe a new cylinder with immersions ? thanks

 

[chris watkins]

Hi Wigz
Yes there would always be a back up heat source, I know this may amaze you, being on the sunny south coast but it doesn't always shine.
There is two normal ways to achieve this in solar systems, one is to have a solar cylinder as a pre-heat to your normal HW cylinder so water goes into solar one first then out into a smaller normal direct or indirect one. The second is to have a re-placement solar cylinder which have a greater capacity than normal ones if indirect heating is available from the CH then they will have twin coils the lower being the solar & the other (CH) around half way up positioned so that it will just heat enough HW for the day. Same thing with indirect back-up immersion would be half way up cylinder.
Hope this helps.

 

[wigz]

thanks for the reply, the customer is saying he don't have a back up as the water is not always hot enough from solar.will take a look monday and try to advise him, if he has no back up he has a couple of options
but all involve replacing cylinder. are all the cylinders used for solar unvented???

 

[chris watkins]

No open vented is fine to.

 

[wigz]

Was looking on net to see how another cylinder would be connecte
Into the excisting system. Will have a look at his system set up first .
Thanks chris

 

[peteheat]

Was looking on net to see how another cylinder would be connecte
Into the excisting system. Will have a look at his system set up first .
Thanks chris

Depending on the type of cylinder it may be possible to fit a Willis immersion heater strange name as they are fitted outside the cylinder, very popular in Northern Ireland.

Try This Link or Google for local stockist.