This large semi-detached house is located in a rural conservation area. Its main heating system is a gas boiler with two 20 tube solar collectors supplying between 60% and 70% of its hot water usage.
Much of the south facing roof is shaded by an adjoining building and nearby mature trees. The two solar collectors have been installed between the middle dormers to maximise solar capture.
The system includes limescale protection and a thermostatic mixing valve to deliver hot water to taps. This allows temperatures in the twin coil hot water cylinder to be set higher than would normally be the case, maximising solar storage.
Any excess heat generated during periods of low consumption, e.g. summer holidays, will be dissipated through an electrical relay that activates the central heating pump to take heat away from the cylinder.
