Solar water pre-heater

[Denebola]

Hi what a great magazine this is that I've discovered.

For my first post I'd ask for your thoughts on the following:

For my central heating and hot water I use grade A energy efficient LPG boiler. Its a condensing combi boiler that is just over 1 year old. This boiler is fed by 1 cold water feed, that is then heated, and sent to my hot taps on demand.

I wonder whether it would pay to install 1 or 2 black painted radiators on the south facing wall of my house, between the cold feed and the boiler. This, I think would have the effect of raising the cold water feed temperature significantly, maybe even 40 degrees celsius on a hot sunny day, and therefore reducing gas consumption in the boiler.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards
Simon
Spilsby
Lincs
UK

[lateaprildawn]

Hi Simon,

Welcome to the forum.

I have been playing around with a similar idea for a stand alone solar shower or greenhouse heating system.

I have just picked up a couple of radiators via "freecycle"..do you have one in the lincs area ?

The guys on this site will certainly be able to advise you on the technical details for your idea . I have also found some good videos on youtube showing solar power applications that might be possible in our uk climate.

Best wishes,
April

[machinemaker]

I've thought of building some collectors and also I have talked to some roofers in the city who have told me that some times when they reroof that the customers have them remove old collectors that are no longer in us. I told them I'd remove them for them in exchange for the collectors. you might want to build a storage tank for the preheated water to keep the temps up when the sun is not shining.
kent