Thermal stores and photovoltaic panels

[oldplumber]

Got asked to a property today to advice on an issue/idea the owner had. Currently he runs a coal fired boiler and doesnt like humping coal any more, hes 83, and he has had a photovoltaic panel installed. therefore he concludes he can bin the boiler and heat his domestic hot water and CH with an electric boiler utilising his free electricity. Next idea is to use a thermal store warmed during the day for free to run his ch at night, however, not being an expert on thermal stores I cant see 12 big rads staying warm for much longer than 30 minutes once the ch is pumping away at night and he would have to quickly revert back to his electric boiler for warmth. imho, i would think that the cost of a big thermal store would be far to expensive and not recoup his outlay ( inthe few yearas he has left, his words not mine) any comments from those in the know on this particular branch of the trade.

My thoughts would be to go electric boiler and use thegrid as his free electricity store. Or not that he wants to spend a lot, air source heat pump

Please note he has no natural gas, oil lorries cannt reach his property and he gets his coal in via a dumper truck (my little van cannt make it up the 1 in 4 track, had to go back for my disco and then fold in the wing mirrors were the road side got very closed in!!!)

 

[Dannypipe]

Thermal stores really work best when they're just used to provide cheap, high pressure DHW and the heating is done with storage heaters.

Then all the electricity is used at night, on economy 7. That way you'll get loads of hotwater, far more than 1 elderly gent will ever use, and cheaper heating too.

Just my opinon. - But I think you're right to be advising against using a thermal store for C/H.


Just realised you mentioned that he has a solar panel - I don't think that changes what I suggest though.

 

[oldplumber]

my thoughts as well at the start,ta