Additional heat source

doningtonphil

Hello

We live in a 1 bedroom bungalow. We have no mains gas. Our heating (hot water & radiators) is all from a McDonald Engineering Thermflow vented cylinder

Its dimensions a 1300x400mm with either 50 or 60mm of polyeurethane lagging.

The mains pressure hot water is heated by passing though a coil up through the cylinder.

The cylinder is heated by either an immersion heater or we have a multifuel stove. Our electricuty bills are lower in winter as the stove being on in the day heats the tank to supply the hot water and the central heating circuit. In summer, we rely on the immersion heater being on for 2-3 hours in the morning to give us enough hot water for the day.

The tank has a separate 'solar coil' towards the bottom of the tank. Apparently it can be used for any number of alternative heat sources. The label states it is a 1.2m2 coil. I dont know if this is big or not.

Anyway, the question is what can I connect to that coil? I am imagining solar thermal. What about air source heat pump hot water?

What is the best additional equipment I can get to make use of the 'solar coil'?

Looking forward to your advice

Phil

jk0

A solar panel, I'd have thought. If you can mount it below the tank, you can use thermosyphon action instead of a pump.

doningtonphil

Thanks

The tank is on the ground floor (bungalow), so would need a pump