Solar Energy Anyone?

Aki123

Hi,

Has anyone had a Dalkin Solar Thermal System installed?

We've got a 30+ year old boiler for our water / heating, and are thinking we should change to a combo boiler. However, we have VERY LOW water pressure (always have had) and I believe this means we'll never be able to run 2 showers at once, and that the low pressure could damage the boiler.

I've been searching the internet and came across this Dalkin system. Just wondered if anyone has had one and what the potential pluses and problems might be?

Thanks for your help.

Aki123

rogerblack

Aki123 wrote: »

Hi,

Has anyone had a Dalkin Solar Thermal System installed?

We've got a 30+ year old boiler for our water / heating, and are thinking we should change to a combo boiler. However, we have VERY LOW water pressure (always have had)

If your water pressure is adequate to allow flow for 2 showers at once (perhaps with reduced flow shower heads), you could add a pressure boosting pump before the boiler.
This would require the proper setup to avoid sucking water out of the mains.

Aki123

Hi,

Thanks for the reply.

I've actually no idea whether it will support 2 showers, it's just that's what we're planning next. Can we still have a pressure boosting pump before the boiler? The water pressure is very low for all of our road as far as I'm aware - in the summer sometimes we don't even have enough to flush the loo!

dogshome

Why must it be a Combi Boiler?
I guess from your post that your present boiler is part of an 'Open Vented' system, ( Storage water tank in the loft & copper cylinder to store hot water )

Low mains water pressure will be a problem for a Combi boiler, but not for 'Open Vented' as the hot water pressure is dictated by the height of the Loft Tank

macman

If you have low pressure, the last thing you want is a combi-who suggested that option?
Are you confusing a combi boiler with a condsensing boiler maybe? All modern domestic boilers are condensing.

rogerblack

Aki123 wrote: »

Hi,

Thanks for the reply.

I've actually no idea whether it will support 2 showers, it's just that's what we're planning next.

Get a bucket.
Fill it from the tap, checking there is not a restrictor in the tap.
If you can fill a 5l bucket in one minute, your flow is 5l/min - each shower could do no more than 2.5l/min - which is pretty poor.
On reflection, I echo the comments that a combi is not a good idea.

Aki123

Hi dogshome, macman & rogerblack,

The only reason for choosing a combi boiler was we thought they were supposed to be the most efficient & least costly to run - no-one has said that they're no good for properties with low water pressure. Thanks for the heads up, VERY helpful. I think I need to go away and research the other options.

Thanks again for your advice, much appreciated

CrashUK

Aki123 wrote: »

Hi,

Has anyone had a Dalkin Solar Thermal System installed?

We've got a 30+ year old boiler for our water / heating, and are thinking we should change to a combo boiler. However, we have VERY LOW water pressure (always have had) and I believe this means we'll never be able to run 2 showers at once, and that the low pressure could damage the boiler.

I've been searching the internet and came across this Dalkin system. Just wondered if anyone has had one and what the potential pluses and problems might be?

Thanks for your help.

Aki123

you can run a combo boiler with a tank. They are cheap water tanks that we use in uk or eco water tanks like they use in the EU. the high end tanks they use in the eu are about £300 more. Also dont think a combo boiler is going to last you 30+ years. They always going wrong and cost a lot to fix.

You could update the tank and install a solar system..