TECHNICAL
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“ A mistake often made by many solar installers is that they undersize the hot water storage tank, which results in either running out of domestic hot water or an inefficient hydronic system, or both. Either way you have a very angry client!” says Junge.
Often a two-tank system is specified— a 500l capacity for the underfloor heating system and a larger 1 000l tank for domestic hot water, depending on house size and occupancy levels— but in this case, the client’ s requirements meant that both functions could be served from a single 1 000l hydraulically separated tank with standby electrical heating element for the domestic supply.
Two invertor type reversible heat pumps supplement the solar panel system, and excess heat during the summer months is used to warm the home’ s swimming pool. In reverse mode the heat pumps supply chilled water to the hydronic system, which can reduce interior space temperatures by up to 4 ° C.
“ The system is fully automatic or it can be manually operated, enabling specific zones to be switched off when parts of the house are unoccupied.
“ The Viega system is tried and tested over many years and originates in Germany, where it conforms to the rigid standards of quality and building codes, and that’ s why we use it,” he said.
Junge stressed that when designing high efficiency and energy saving installations, particular attention must be paid to proper thermal insulation of the building shell and it must incorporate features such as double-glazing as well as roof and floor insulation, without which the full benefits of a high technology installation will be lost. PA
The Viega system is tried and tested over many years and originates in Germany, where it conforms to the rigid standards of quality and building codes.