Re: Solar heated hot water

[Bruno Prior <bruno@xxxxxxx>]

BG (or some subsidiary of theirs) had a big stand for these at last year's
Sustainable Energy exhibition at Olympia. Unfortunately, I don't know
anything about the costs, but they seem like an excellent idea in
principle,
where you will be using a gas boiler. If you have the option, I would
expect
that a heatpump or a wood burner would still be a more efficient source of
primary heating energy, but if those aren't options, or you really want to
generate some of your own electricity, I would guess that this is a good
alternative.

I suppose that the main thing to watch out for might be problems with
getting it serviced. I have heard that early adopters of condensing boilers
had real problems finding service engineers who knew them well enough to
service them. Could be the same with these in the early days.

Sorry I can't be more help.

Cheers,

Bruno


Neil Ball wrote:
> Hi Bruno
>
> I've followed the thread with keen interest. I notice that the
> stirling-engined domestic chp units are getting more press again
recently.
> What's your view on this. Do you think this technology has a
reasonable
> cost/benefit ratio for anyone installing/replacing boiler plant or is
it
> still too early to make any real decisions?
>
> Neil