Dec 30 2013, 02:17 PM
QUOTE(halcyon27 @ Dec 30 2013, 01:37 PM)
Think, I might have said this before in this thread. Solar water heating is the way to go if:
1. Landed dwelling
2. Dwelling generally oriented along N to S or S to N relative to house front entrance
3. Household size is at least 4 people
4. Living in house for at least 8 years or more
But the practical reality comes down to cost and the condition of the house.
If the house is old some stuff needs to be done first before proceeding:
1. Inspect the roof space to determine condition of roof truss. If still good then consider. Should prepare additional tiles. If tiles too old, consider re-roofing first otherwise roof leakage is a possibility from increase load.
2. Hack and install replace old GI/PVC pipes - Install water pump. This is a must.
3. Add copper pipes for hot water outlet
4. Consider separating WC inlet for all upstairs bathrooms to run on a separate supply line from bath/shower and faucet/tap supply. This reduce water hammer issues affecting WC inlet and cause overflow even when using brass floats. Even the plastic ones eventually will give way. Otherwise have to play around with water pump pressure with possibility of trade off at mixing flow rate.
This is my experience for an 1975 built home. GI pipes eventually burst after two years and had to have an external cold supply pipe in the master bathroom. The good thing is the roof is still in very good condition with truss spacing 2 feet apart and hence was good for load holding.
ROI of solar heater depends on usage. Higher the electricity tariff, with at least 4 people using, the sooner the ROI.
Well said. Some comments.1. Landed dwelling
2. Dwelling generally oriented along N to S or S to N relative to house front entrance
3. Household size is at least 4 people
4. Living in house for at least 8 years or more
But the practical reality comes down to cost and the condition of the house.
If the house is old some stuff needs to be done first before proceeding:
1. Inspect the roof space to determine condition of roof truss. If still good then consider. Should prepare additional tiles. If tiles too old, consider re-roofing first otherwise roof leakage is a possibility from increase load.
2. Hack and install replace old GI/PVC pipes - Install water pump. This is a must.
3. Add copper pipes for hot water outlet
4. Consider separating WC inlet for all upstairs bathrooms to run on a separate supply line from bath/shower and faucet/tap supply. This reduce water hammer issues affecting WC inlet and cause overflow even when using brass floats. Even the plastic ones eventually will give way. Otherwise have to play around with water pump pressure with possibility of trade off at mixing flow rate.
This is my experience for an 1975 built home. GI pipes eventually burst after two years and had to have an external cold supply pipe in the master bathroom. The good thing is the roof is still in very good condition with truss spacing 2 feet apart and hence was good for load holding.
ROI of solar heater depends on usage. Higher the electricity tariff, with at least 4 people using, the sooner the ROI.
1. Not many houses facing exactly N and S. Between N and S for Malaysia at a little N of equator, S is better.
2. Still on solar panel positioning. Try get morning sun instead of afternoon. That is facing East. Therefore the better position is between South and East or southeast.
3. You might be surprised buyer prefer buying houses with solar heater installed. Not only getting a solar heater but also hot and cold piping already in placed means saving money doing piping. Moreover, it comes with mixture and rain shower. Therefore the investment is not lost. Imagine you come across two houses one with and the other without the choice is obvious and you do not mind paying a little more.
4. Roof tiles is less to consider. The older the roof tiles the harder it is. Maybe just need another coat of paint. Inspect roof trusses is a must. Just need to place additional support by having few pieces of roof trusses on the load bearing supporting the heater tank.
5. GI pipe. With our without water pump or solar or storage heater need replacement anyhow.
6. Alternatively, just installed pressure reducing valves going to WCs.
7. There is no ROI from electric bill saving against instant water heater due to huge price gap and cost of installation/piping. The ROI is on having enjoying better shower. Yes, there is ROI against storage heater.
Just my experience.
This post has been edited by stevie8: Dec 30 2013, 02:20 PM
Quote
0.0561sec
0.66
7 queries
GZIP Disabled