Old school solar heating

[mulberry]

In process of a house purchase, the new (1960's) house has a couple of solar panels on the roof which I gather were installed about ten years ago.
Amongst the solicitors information pack I found a letter addresses to the current owner of the house stating that the solar system is installed incorrectly. Use of copper pipes, central heating pump, and a few other problems. The inspection / report letter quoted just over 2K to put matters right.
When we move in would it be wiser to install a new system complete. Views and opinions gratefully received. Thank you.

 

[Boilerman2]

It is only in the past few years that specific "solar" parts have been available
I am currently renovating a clients solar system that comprises of three panel radiators in glass topped boxes (now called "Collectors") the pipe work is copper (no problem) and the pump is an ancient grundfos Selectric - all working fine untill a tree fell on the pipe work and dumped all the glycol!

Hope that all helps!

 

[JohnD]

the subsidies (paid by other customers) for Solar electricity have now been cut, so it is not such a good payback, and probably only worth spending the money if you have spare cash lying around gathering 1% interest and not needed for anything else.

It would certainly not be worth takling out a loan to pay for it.

If it works you may as well keep it, with repairs as required. If it is heating hot water it will not save you much money, as most of your energy cost goes on winter heating. Summer HW cost is negligible.

 

[Dan Robinson]

For reference, this summer I've been living alone as the family were abroad.

From May to mid august my gas was £112.

May was cold and the family were home so that accounts for £57.


So there you have one professional person's heavy measured hot water costs.

I use a lot of hot water. But I am out all day and a lot of the weekends i was away.

I was putting meter readings in every couple of weeks.

 

[JohnD]

is that about £20 a month including standing charge?

my summer gas is about half a metre a day costing £6.40 a month, with a standing charge of £6.82 a month, total about £13.22 a month before discounts and VAT.

If I had solar hw halving this cost, it would only save me £3.20 a month, so not a good deal.

 

[mulberry]

Thank you all for your input, its all helpful. Think I will just leave system as is until such time its worse than useless.