We have now had our solar thermal panel for 4 and a half months.
Our current gas bill (not estimated) equates more or less to that four and a half months (give or take a day) - and was £14.13 - and we cook by gas.
Solar Thermal on West Facing Roof???
Moderator: Peak Moderation
Our first gas bill with solar
One more update.
We have now had our solar thermal panel for 4 and a half months.
Our current gas bill (not estimated) equates more or less to that four and a half months (give or take a day) - and was £14.13 - and we cook by gas.
We have now had our solar thermal panel for 4 and a half months.
Our current gas bill (not estimated) equates more or less to that four and a half months (give or take a day) - and was £14.13 - and we cook by gas.
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RenewableCandy
- Posts: 12777
- Joined: 12 Sep 2007, 12:13
- Location: York
Is anyone prepared to name names re their solar (water) systems? I am being bombarded with 'offers' on a weekly basis and now the new windows and woodburner are in , solar is next on my list (once I've saved up). I am not a techie so not looking for anything complicated - just a simple, effective, Putin-free system of warming modest amounts of water.
Dear Vladimir, I have changed my name because Panicky Mum reflected neither my current state of mind nor my Russian roots. I think that you're doing a great job and look forward to enjoying an excellent supply of gas for some time yet. All the best!
When I was in the industry, and when I had a house and got junk mail, the bombardment was from companies that I wouldn't touch with a barge pole. Without generalising too much, they tend to be the ones that employ pushy salesmen, who probably had the same training as dodgy double glazing salesmen. Even after knocking a couple of thousand off the price "because they're working in the area" they will probably still be very expensive. I think they can do a good job of installing, but they can also do a bad one.Pani Kova wrote:Is anyone prepared to name names re their solar (water) systems? I am being bombarded with 'offers' on a weekly basis
From my experience, the smaller local installers are the ones that charge the sensible prices. I costed all the jobs we did, and we should probably have charged more to avoid the sleepless nights that dealing with cashflow problems caused. I wouldn't have slept well with the guilt of ripping off customers if we'd charged as much as the companies I mentioned above though.
Make sure that whoever you talk to is a member of the Solar Trade Association, get 3 quotes if you can, ask for references and don't deal with anyone who won't leave until you've signed a contract.
I can't recommend any systems or installers as I'm out of touch with what's available now.
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kenneal - lagger
- Site Admin
- Posts: 14290
- Joined: 20 Sep 2006, 02:35
- Location: Newbury, Berkshire
- Contact:
PK, try www.navitron.org.uk and use one of their trained installers. They've got a forum with them on, or you can post for one who works in your area. It'll be much cheaper and the Navitron evacuated tube system uses a sealed double walled glass tube, like the old Thermos flask, which won't lose its vacuum.
Action is the antidote to despair - Joan Baez
I put in a Navitron system myself last summer 20 tubes, then expanded it to 40 in August. We have 172 ltr tank and 3 in the house, pretty much self sufficient in the summer unless it is very overcast or we use a lot of water. It was very satisfying to see our gas consumption plummet.
Also satisfying was the argument I had with Scottish Power who were trying to put our direct debit up. Their computer system's algorithm cannot factor a solar panel in. So I had the 'computer says no' conversation with them, whilst I was trying to explain that my consumption will fall faster in Spring than their predictions and rise slower as we go into winter.
Also satisfying was the argument I had with Scottish Power who were trying to put our direct debit up. Their computer system's algorithm cannot factor a solar panel in. So I had the 'computer says no' conversation with them, whilst I was trying to explain that my consumption will fall faster in Spring than their predictions and rise slower as we go into winter.