School Chooses Solar Thermal Hot Water System, Reducing Annual Energy Costs by 50%

Sandycroft School reduces water heating costs with the installation of MHS Boilers’ AURON DF solar heating system

MHS Boilers’ direct flow vacuum tube solar collectors have been installed on a pitched roof at Sandycroft School in Deeside, in conjunction with three floor-standing high performance MHS Ultramax PB 120kW. The Flintshire primary school is achieving a 50% reduction in annual water heating costs thanks to the installation of its AURON® DF solar heating system from MHS Boilers.

John Haime, Mechanical Services Design Engineer, Flintshire County Council said: “Flintshire County Council has an energy policy commitment to reduce carbon emissions through the installation of renewable technology. MHS Boilers and solar equipment were chosen on the basis of quality, best value and service back-up. We hope to achieve about 50% reduction on annual water heating costs.”

In addition to the solar collectors, three MHS Ultramax PB 120kW boilers were installed to provide heating at Sandycroft School in six heating zones. Installer Mel Roberts of Buckley based Margden Heating said: “MHS products are cutting edge and user friendly – saving time and costs on installation.” AURON® DF direct flow vacuum tube solar collectors haven been developed for both domestic hot water and heating support and have an extremely flexible and stable mounting system to make installation and alignment towards the sun simple. Together with the innovative hydraulic construction of the collector, every possible variation of roof, wall and floor positioning is available to the installer.

By rotating the tubes (between +/- 30°) the absorber plate can be aligned so that an optimal angle to solar radiation can be achieved.

The absorber plate is made of aluminium and has a highly selective coating. This surface is metallically bonded to a coaxial copper-tube system allowing the absorbed heat to be carried directly and almost without loss to the heat-carrying fluid of the solar energy system.

The connection of the vacuum tubes to the manifold is via a conventional compression fitting with tube neck cover collars made of weather-proof synthetic material. The tube neck insulation is protected against environmental impact or bird pecking and the collar takes the strain on the glass-metal bonding to ensure a long lifespan for the vacuum tubes.

The Ultramax PB range of floor standing boilers includes four models with outputs at 65, 85, 100 and 120kW. Fully condensing and fabricated from durable stainless steel, these appliances return efficiency up to 109.8% with a modulation range up to 6.8:1. Low Noise and low NOx emissions are also prime features of the Ultramax PB Boiler.

A comprehensive programmable boiler/system controller is included as standard which may be connected to intelligent room controls if desired. As an option, a low loss header can be incorporated into the boiler case as can a plate type heat exchanger to act as a separator to protect the boiler from the possible effects of dirt accumulation in older systems.

The flue connection allows for either room sealed or open type application with the capability for extensive lengths of flue to be accommodated. With the footprint area of the largest model at less than 0.51m2, the Ultramax PB Boilers are frugal on their space requirement making them a perfect choice where space constraints are a key factor in product selection.

MHS Gemini HSC calorifiers are the ideal means to provide volume hot water in domestic, commercial and industrial applications. The Gemini 500ltr cylinder heats water for storage in a stainless steel vessel immersed within a primary tank.

Short URL: http://www.solarthermalmagazine.com/?p=3829

Posted by Tracey A. Smith on Oct 25 2010. Filed under Solar Collectors. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry