Solar thermal helps meet Code Level 3
Solcos Solar thermal packages have significantly contributed to compliance with Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes for 12 new affordable homes in Bishop’s Stortford. This design-and-build project by Jarvis Contracting for South Anglia housing comprises 2- and 3-storey housing in a mixed-tenure scheme for rental and shared ownership.
Each house incorporates two Oventrop flat-plate solar collectors of 2.02 m2 integrated into the roof. Anti-reflective glass increases transmission by 5% over regular glass. Roof integration reduces the cost of roof tiling and associated labour costs.
Each system includes a 250 l twin-coil cylinder and stainless-steel pre-insulated pipework.
The sizing of the pump and modelling of the system hydronics was crucial on this project because of the very long pipe run from the collector on the roof to the cylinder. Oventrop provided its OV Sol hydronic planning service, which included a systematic drawing, full system settings showing flow rates, pressures, pipe sizes, expansion sizes etc., to ensure the package was fit for purpose.
Each solution is automatically controlled by a Regtronic control package, which includes a wall-mounted display with pre-installed switching schemes, so no input is required from the occupant.
The systems were installed by Burgate Plumbing & Heating.
