Karen & co. Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 We are about to hand our house over to a building firm whilst we have an extension built and whilst this is being done are going to look into solar powered water heating installation. Someone I work with has it and is really pleased as all her hot water comes from it, and it is really hot even on dull days, as it's not reliant on the sun shining. I just wondered if anyone else has this or knows anything about it or could recommend another good company so we can get a couple of quotes? Many thanks, karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 I know B&Q now do solar water heating packages and also windmill power packages for about £1500, but they are probably jumping on the 'green' bandwagon. I am sure someone will be along soon with a more ethical company for you to consider! Good luck with the build by the way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleHen Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 It's a shame no-one else has had some exeprience of this Karen, it seems such a sensible thing to do - but on the face of it - so expensive... You can't help feeling companies are taking advantage of those of us who want to do our bit and can afford to consider it at least... Do let us know how you go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted October 30, 2006 Author Share Posted October 30, 2006 Thanks Jackie We have rung a couple of companies from the LCB web site, one didn't turn up to quote and the others we are waiting for as they are really busy. Fingers crossed karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 We've been looking at solar and wind power but until we sell the house we can't proceed so I can't recommend anyone Karen - I'm interested to see how you get on. Have you looked at the It's Not Easy Being Green forum? - there's lots of info on there and probably a good place to ask? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red Posted November 6, 2006 Share Posted November 6, 2006 You could try speaking to your local authority - they often produce leaflets or have pages on their websites about grants and other schemes for promoting alternative energy sources for the home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red Posted November 6, 2006 Share Posted November 6, 2006 Visit the website for the Centre for Alternative Technology. It is based in Wales and well worth a visit if you like all things green and ethical. It has LOADS of information. They do books, factsheets, residential courses and all sorts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted November 6, 2006 Author Share Posted November 6, 2006 Have you looked at the It's Not Easy Being Green forum? - there's lots of info on there and probably a good place to ask? Thanks for that Lesley, I haven't tried that forum before but it has heaps of info Mark was glued to the forum reading up and following some really usefull links. Thanks for the info Red We've been to the Centre for Alternative Technology a couple of times, and found it really interesting At the moment we are still trying to get a couple of companies to quote us, so that we can tie in the extension with the re design of the hot water system we may need to swap the Aga for one that doesn't heat the water karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red Posted November 6, 2006 Share Posted November 6, 2006 Oooh an Aga - I posted a question about these a couple of days ago and "Ooops, word censored!"ody has replied yet - we are thinking of getting either an Aga or a Rayburn and just trying to decide (a) are they as good as we think they are (b) which should we get - choice is narrowed to a Rayburn that does everything -i.e. heating water and cooking or do something else for water and heating (possibly solar water heating) and get the new style 13 amp electric Aga for cooking/heating the kitchen which has the advantage of the possibility of using a renewable electricty source - i.e. wind turbine I think I will be taking my own advice and visiting the CAT website myself How do you get on with your Aga - do you have a normal oven too or is it your only cooker - if I get one I wont have space for an ordinary cooker (and to be honest cant see the point) ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted November 6, 2006 Share Posted November 6, 2006 My parents had an aga in the house they moved into a couple of years ago. They loved it, but decided they needed an ordinary oven and hob for summer use, otherwise the kitchen was boiling all the time. They've now replaced the aga with a Stanley - I think this uses oil, and it runs the central heating as well. Not sure if this is useful!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted November 6, 2006 Author Share Posted November 6, 2006 Hi Red We inherited our red Aga with the house, and I would have paid someone to take it away now I would fight to keep it It's gas and is our only cooker, but the kitchen gets very hot in summer, we did try using our old cooker in summer and even had a gas point put in for it but didn't like it My sister has a Rayburn, but the ovens are quite alot smaller, and as there are 6 of us less cooking space just wouldn't work. We are looking to find a fuel that we can feel is a little more sustainable, and like you have looked at the 13amp Agas. Regarding cleaning them the ovens are a doddle, as once a year I scrub it out with a wire brush, and vacuum out the dust anything left in will turn to carbon ie the forgotten baked potato makes an interesting game now and again, spot the remains Cleaning the top is a bit of a pain as the water in the cloth steams in your hand so speed is required, but it really is ace for drying washing, cooking, baking drying walking boots, soggy dogs, and chilly chooks And you can guarantee that at every party we have the biggest gaggle of people will be found resting their bums on the rail at the front which has strange magnetic properties to nearly everyone who comes into the kitchen karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red Posted November 6, 2006 Share Posted November 6, 2006 It sounds lovely Karen. OH is still exploring renewable energy sources for powering a 13 amp aga. We don't have space for two cookers so if we go for one we will just have to suffer the heat in summer - Our kitchen is on the north side of our cottage which has very thick walls and so presently stays lovely and cool in the summer and so hopefully will be warm but not too unbearable ..... still at this time of year in the freezing cold it's hard to imagine anywhere getting that hot!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kazaddress Posted November 9, 2006 Share Posted November 9, 2006 I know someone i could put you in contact with for installing a solor collector / tank etc.. he is based in the south. and has been fitting them for over 27years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red Posted November 9, 2006 Share Posted November 9, 2006 yes please - can you post or pm his details and i'll pass to hubby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted November 9, 2006 Author Share Posted November 9, 2006 Yes please Kaz, there seem to be alot of companies jumping on the bandwagon but I'd rather deal with someone who isn't doing it for a quick buck karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
