Combining an air-water heat pump and a solar water heater
Last Post 25 Sep 2022 04:05 PM by sailawayrb. 3 Replies.
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GaraldUser is Offline
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10 May 2022 11:36 PM
I am about to start renovating my new place (which is most of an old rowhouse, attic included). Climate zone Cfb, latitude 49° N. I will almost certainly change the current heating source (an old gas-based water heater) for an air-to-water heat pump. Since the roof will probably be all available for my use (well, will need to talk about it the coop, but let us hope for the best), it seems logical to install solar. Obviously the energy from photovoltaic panels can be used for the heat pump (and other things), but wouldn't it be logical and efficient to use solar panels simply to heat water, which would then be heated further (at least in winter) by the heat pump? (That would be either in addition or instead of photovoltaic panels.) I imagine this sort of hybrid system must either * be very common or * not make any sense for some reason I am not seeing. It would be nice to get references in the first case, and a reason in the second one!
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23 Sep 2022 02:24 AM
Generally, if you're putting PV in, it generally makes better use of surface area to simply up-size your PV install slightly and use an electric water heater.

Easier to install. You're already looking at PV to help with your power costs.
Lower up-front cost. Solar thermal seems simple, but the install costs is generally several times that of a PV-based electric system.
Uses less space. Especially if you're going tankless.
Lower maintenance. You don't have to worry about bursting PV cells in cold weather. No need for annual inspections.
PV will not freeze.
PV also can't overheat.
sailawayrbUser is Offline
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25 Sep 2022 04:04 PM
That would be my recommendation as well. Solar thermal sounds great in principle but often become impractical in actual application. You will find much info on BuilditSolar.com
Borst Engineering & Construction LLC - Competence, Integrity and Professionalism are integral to all that we do!
sailawayrbUser is Offline
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25 Sep 2022 04:05 PM
That would be my recommendation as well. Solar thermal sounds great in principle but often become impractical in actual application. You will find much info on BuilditSolar.com
Borst Engineering & Construction LLC - Competence, Integrity and Professionalism are integral to all that we do!
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