Hybrid systems are
popular in the commercial sector but, until now, they have received less
attention in the domestic space.
Alan Clarke from
Heatrae Sadia explains why it’s always important for specifiers to look at
options which make the most of traditional and renewable technologies.
There’s a
significant pressure on all of us to cut our carbon footprint and help the
environment, whether by choosing the source of our food more carefully or
thinking about how we heat our homes.
On a commercial
scale, the race has been on for a number of years to create premises which make
full use of renewables. This can come from a number of elements including the
materials used during construction, for example one recent project in New York
used recycled aluminium, or by considering how heating and hot water is
provided for the occupants inside.
But while commercial
projects have generally stolen a lead in this area, domestic jobs should not be
left behind. For specifiers working on residential developments, whether small
sites or high-rise apartments, it is really important to consider how efficiency
gains can be made.
One way of doing
this is by using solar power. This form of energy generation has been booming
in recent years, with more investment ploughed into the technology worldwide in
2017 than the traditional go-to energy source, coal.
Making use of solar
energy alongside a traditional fossil-fuelled boiler is a popular, cost-
effective option for minimising energy bills without impacting on the comfort
of the occupants.
But achieving
maximum returns on this technology means pairing it with the correct storage
solution and, while many believe that battery storage is the best option,
specially designed hot water cylinders can often represent the right choice.
Not only are
batteries expensive, but they also require replacing relatively frequently. By
comparison the running costs of hot water cylinders are lower, making them a
safe bet and ensuring that the occupier gets the maximum benefit from the
system.
The savings that
homeowners can expect to achieve using this system can be substantial. The Hot
Water Association has suggested that households can reasonably expect to save
£130 per year by switching from a standard electric hot water cylinder to one
of these cylinders, while savings of up to £95 per year can be achieved by
those using a traditional gas-fired boiler.
Solar PV cylinders
do not affect Feed-in-Tariff payments either. Where an export meter isn’t
fitted, a ‘deemed’ usage contract will be in place – this means an export
tariff is paid whether the energy is consumed or not.
Heatrae Sadia’s
Megaflo Eco Solar PV Ready water cylinder is the perfect partner for domestic
solar panels. Available in capacities from 170 to 300 litres and in direct or
indirect models it is perfect for any style of property. With the high levels
of workmanship expected from any Megaflo product, it offers a reliable,
cost-effective way of using all the electricity generated by a property.
Hybrid systems are
becoming increasingly popular in the domestic sector, and it’s important that
specifiers consider it as an excellent option for reducing the carbon footprint
of residential projects, no matter what size they may be.
