So now I have a solar PV system how do I make the most of it???

sly_dog_jonah

jeepjunkie wrote: »

In an effort to further reduce the electricity bill I'm thinking of using PV to heat the 210lt water tank. DHW at the moment is heated by ASHP. Tank has a 3kw element. During late spring/summer/early autum I just can't get daily useage below 9 units. Looking into the immersun as i don't really want DIY it. Obviously during these months most leccy is being exported.

Any thoughts or experiences?

Can't reply to your PM as your inbox is full...

By daily usage do you mean imported electricity?

There's some discussion of the immerSUN over here. Also on other forums such as navitron & electriciansforum.

[Deleted User]

sly_dog_jonah wrote: »

Can't reply to your PM as your inbox is full...

By daily usage do you mean imported electricity?

There's some discussion of the immerSUN over here. Also on other forums such as navitron & electriciansforum.

Yes imported electricity. Thanks for the links. Deleted old PMs. Sorry.

sly_dog_jonah

jeepjunkie wrote: »

Yes imported electricity. Thanks for the links. Deleted old PMs. Sorry.

No probs. Do you know how much of that consumption is attributable to the ASHP?

Even on a dull day like today our Immersun has still managed to divert 2kWh (out 6kWh generation) into the immersion at a trickle, electricity which we'd have struggled to use without importing some power.

[Deleted User]

sly_dog_jonah wrote: »

No probs. Do you know how much of that consumption is attributable to the ASHP?

Even on a dull day like today our Immersun has still managed to divert 2kWh (out 6kWh generation) into the immersion at a trickle, electricity which we'd have struggled to use without importing some power.

TBH I'd only be guessing but house is normally occupied during the day so oven/lights/tv/many garden tools etc

legoman62

Martyn1981 wrote: »

I'm trying a similar thing, but without the transformer. Got an oil filled rad around Xmas time. It has 400W, 600W or 1100W (both on (must be some roundings)) settings.
Downside, only really able to use when Wifey is out, and in combination with ski socks and a fleece top, but seems a waste to heat whole house all day, when the GCH will warm our house in 20 mins or so, so better to switch it on as the sun starts to wane and Wifey is due home.



Totally agree with you there Mart regarding Wifey.
By the way, where did you get the oil fired rad?
And does it look like a curtain or settee or anything that might blend in unnoticed with the lounge furniture:D

pioneer

Zenoka wrote: »

Does anyone know if there is a device that can sense when you are exporting and send that electricity to a hot water heater? We would really like to use the surplus to help towards heating our water, DH is good at diy and is already talking about fitting a 500w imersion, but we want a system that will automatically control it for us.

Does such a thing exist? I've searched but not been able to find anything.

Something like this

http://www.greenkit.co.uk/immersun-1214-p.asp:eek:

sly_dog_jonah

Hi Pioneer,

There's several competing products (we just had an ImmerSUN installed), and a few 'build your own' solutions. We went with the ImmerSUN because it didn't require any changes to our immersion and can automatically regulate the power sent to the immersion so that you never import electricity to heat water with it (unless you choose to 'boost' it manually or on a timer).

This means when we have appliances on during the day, such as dishwashers and washing machines with variable power usage during their programs, we know that the immersion will only ever be using the spare power that would otherwise be exported.

There's several discussion threads on this very sub-board, I'm posting our experience with the ImmerSUN on this thread. You'll probably want to look at these threads too.

Edit: Doh just realised you were quoting a very old post from the first page. Oh well it's useful info for anyone else so I'll keep it as is.

Martyn1981

legoman62 wrote: »

Totally agree with you there Mart regarding Wifey.
By the way, where did you get the oil fired rad?
And does it look like a curtain or settee or anything that might blend in unnoticed with the lounge furniture:D

Hiya LM, doesn't exactly blend in, but not too ugly.

I got it from B&Q, bit of a compulsive purchase whilst my brain was running numbers and opportunities. Thought it was possibly a waste of effort, but it works really well, in the right circumstances.

For instance, generation here is just over 650W (7.50am), living room is 17.5C, and conservatory 15C. So I've just popped it on to take the chill off, and in an hour or so the solar gain in the conservatory will allow me to open the inner door and heat the living room from there. Only dug it back out yesterday.

Screwfix look to have a better one as it's got more fins than mine.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/7-fin-oil-filled-radiator-1-5kw-240v/92239

You need to check the different power settings though, especially as generation (kW not kWh) gets lower in the colder months, unless you have a particularly steep roof.

Gas bill last year (Jul 11 to end June 12) was £350, including oven and hot water, so I'm sure it helped a little bit, but of course it was a very mild and long winter, so not all years will be so accommodating.

Mart.

EricMears

Martyn1981 wrote: »

For instance, generation here is just over 650W (7.50am), living room is 17.5C, and conservatory 15C. So I've just popped it on to take the chill off

Even at the 400w setting, that doesn't leave a lot of your 650w 'generation' to run your 'base load'. Hope you meant 'export' rather than 'generation' !

Martyn1981

EricMears wrote: »

Even at the 400w setting, that doesn't leave a lot of your 650w 'generation' to run your 'base load'. Hope you meant 'export' rather than 'generation' !

Nah, baseload plus telly/pbr or computer only comes to about 250W so at around 600W+ it can be run for 'free' (no export meter), but even without, probably better than heating whole house. Unless of course you want to heat whole house, then it's pretty much useless, or a waste of good leccy to use alongside GCH.

The higher settings 600W or both (1100W) don't actually use more leccy, since it just gets hot quicker and switches off faster, but of course the 'game' is trying to stay within generation.

Clearly 200W constant would be even more useable.

Additional silliness, it has occurred to me that placing a small fan behind the rad will move more heat around and help cool the fins, increasing workload ...... maybe if I get bored?

Mart.