Brand new solar thermal tile gets off the ground

First for award winner solarcentury

The world’s first fully integrated solar roof, featuring the brand new C21t solar thermal tile was launched recently by solarcentury.

Identical in size to conventional roof tiles, the award-winning C21e solar electric tiles and the brand new C21t solar thermal tiles together form the Complete Solar Roof, generating electricity and hot water respectively – even in cloudy conditions. They offer a unique patented combination of solar thermal and solar photovoltaic tiles that integrate with standard roof tiles.
The Complete Solar Roof is said to offer significant savings on energy bills to the end-users. A typical system will generate over 60% of the hot water requirements for a three-bedroom home.

The C21e photovoltaic tile uses the most efficient cells available on the market, requiring just 8m2 per kWp and generating 800kWh of electricity per year from this area. Excess electrical energy produced by the C21e can be sold to the national grid. Research by the Energy Savings Trust suggests that lower fuel bills are just part of the appeal and that the majority of homebuyers are prepared to pay up to £10,000 more for a sustainable home.

Other advantages for homeowners, developers and installers include:

• The ability to add C21 tiles to an existing build programme, without the need to redesign the roof.
• Fast installation in a conventional tiled roof by any competent roofer.
• No requirement of additional planning permission, except on listed buildings or in conservation areas, where permission is more likely to be granted than for conventional solar panels.
• The flexibility to use different configurations of tiles to match the user’s heat and power needs.
• No significant change to the appearance of a property due to the dark colour and flush fit of the tiles.
• Generation of emission free electricity and hot water without burning fossil fuels.

The latest member of the C21 family, the C21t thermal tile, captures energy from the sun to warm a fluid. The heat in this fluid is then transferred to the hot water system, reducing overall energy requirements for hot water in the home.

Developers or householders interested in installing the C21e, C21t or the Complete Solar Roof should contact solarcentury on 020 7803 0100 or visit www.solarcentury.com

Comments

The EST survey found nearly 7 out of 10 Britons believe that homes boasting energy saving features are worth paying more money for. Almost half (44%) were willing to pay an additional £5,000 – £10,000 for a green home built to high environmental standards. More information visit www.est.org.uk

Boiler Buddy can increase home heating and hotwater efficiency

New product brings Formula One technology to your home

The Boiler Buddy is a brand new addition to Fernox’s portfolio of energy saving products. This in-line magnetic filter is easily connected to any condensing boiler system to trap magnetite, rust and magnetic materials to sub-micron levels ensuring your heating system achieves optimum efficiency.

Based on technology used in Formula 1 Motor Racing, to remove dirt from engine oil, the Boiler Buddy works on a magnetic principle, collecting and filtering contaminants from a central heating system to prevent potential component damage and erosion.

The unit works via a series of annular magnets and flux plates. As the water passes through the magnetic filter, the contaminants are drawn into special collection areas. Unlike conventional filters that can become clogged, the flux plate design (awarded the Millennium Prize for innovation in 20xx) ensures that the filter never restricts the system flow, even when full.

A clear housing allows the build up of debris to be easily checked, enabling the condition of a central heating system to be continually monitored.

The Boiler Buddy is connected directly into 22mm copper pipework using conventional pump connectors and can be installed either horizontally or vertically. A good diy-er could probably do the job efficeintly and effectively.

Further information from www.fernox.com.

Comments

This has got to be a must for every central heating system. Debris in the system will clog it and eventually lead to major problems and inefficiencies.

Wireless control for heating systems

Greater efficiency saves money and CO2

Householders can improve the efficiency for their domestic central heating system by selecting the right control system to integrate with their boiler to achieve complete heating system efficiency.

Buderus has introduced a new dual channel ModuLink controller which is ideally suited for use with its 500 and 600 condensing combi and system boilers.  This wireless, combined room thermostat and programmer incorporates various features plus the added advantage of independent control for heating and domestic hot water.

The fully controllable one-day programmer meets the City & Guilds Best Practice recommendations and offers ‘intelligent system’ operation.

It enables boilers to be sited in virtually any area of the home because all programme functions can be adjusted remotely, in fact, the radio frequency will work up to 30m away from the boiler.  When space is at a premium, it allows the boiler to be located in the garage, cellar or even the loft to gain extra space where it is most needed, but with no loss of heating and domestic hot water system control.

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Both single and dual channel ModuLinks make full use of the latest modulating technology and automatically adjust the output of the boiler, using room temperature modulation rather than flow temperature which results in increased energy efficiency and improved comfort levels.

The single and dual channel programmers are part of a range of Buderus heating control systems designed to offer installers a range of choices to meet customer needs.  They are simple to fit, easy to operate and can improve heating system efficiency.  They are an important additional factor in any domestic heating and hot water system.

Comments

One of the biggest problems with modern heating systems are inefficient controls. You can install the most efficient boiler but if you haven’t got the controls right then what you gain on the roundabout you lose on the swing. So make sure you’re all under control.