Energy efficient heating

[Steve]

My mum wants me to look for a viable alternative replacement for her gas combi boiler, as its coming to the end of its life, at a grand 15 years old. I have explained the benefits of ground source and air source heat pumps, and she understands the benefits, but she is also interested in solar hot water systems.

My question is, has anyone on this forum employed either of the above mentioned technologies on a house-wide scale?

 

[Rob]

As i understand it ground source is more suitable to U/F heating due to lower temperatures.

Solar is ok as a preheat and even this is in the height of summer. So gas boiler is still required.

 

[gas4you]

Ground source heat pumps are very good but ridiculously priced

Modern one can acheive 60C so could be used with modern radiators sized for water flow temperature of 50C.

Solar, in terms of saving money is a waste of time. If you want to do your bit for the environment then go for it, but you would save more by keeping the solar installation cost money in a high interest account in the bank

If you did go the solar route you could have another set of pipes installed in the ground with the heat pump pipes, therefore directing any excess heat gained from the sun in the summer to heat the ground more ready for the winter.

As said though if saving money is all you are bothered about just replace her boiler with a new condensing model

 

[Thermo]

its ridiculous isnt it. We live on the south coast on top of a hill and face due south. That means we get full sun on the roof all day, and have a good level of wind (must be the beans!) So it would seem to me that we are ideally placed to utilise one of the alternatives. Every bit of advice we get comes to the same conclusion, that it is not worth it in terms of cost over the saving it would make