Boiler group Valliant has been working with its development partner Shepherds Bush Housing Association, The Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation and Sandwood Design and Build Ltd, on a sustainable redevelopment of 18 flats for ex-servicemen.

The development is part of the Chiswick War Memorial Homes estate at Burlington Lane, Chiswick, London. Valliant has supplied 36 solar flat plate collectors and these have been fitted at the project, along with 18 auroSTOR 200-litre cylinders and 18 ecoTEC plus 618 system boilers.

Six of the newly built flats are specifically designed for disabled use and the project is the first phase of the redevelopment programme for the whole estate.

William Eastman, Mechanical Projects Manager for Sandwood Design and Build Ltd, said:
“Part one will see veterans move from their existing accommodation into the new flats. Part two will then see the homes these veterans have vacated refurbished with similar solar systems.

“The aim of the scheme is to provide affordable, good quality housing for the residents. By using Vaillant’s boilers and solar DHW systems, we have been able to reduce servicing costs while providing residents with economic and sustainable heating solutions. Vaillant’s reputation and products are both renowned throughout the industry, so they were the obvious choice for this project.”

Set up after the First World War to provide accommodation for ex-servicemen, The Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation works in partnership with Shepherds Bush Housing Association which provides homes and rehabilitative support to vulnerable and disabled ex-Servicemen and women, including those who have been homeless.

The company claim that a Vaillant solar DHW system can provide around 50-60% of annual domestic hot water requirements. It uses indirect solar radiation, not just direct sunlight, which means that it will work as efficiently in the UK as it does in other countries with similar climates.

The solar control system has a built-in intelligence allowing it to automatically switch from solar to conventional power when needed. And the company also claim that the Vaillant’s solar DHW system ensures hot water comfort, helps reduce fuel bills, adds value to a property and is a positive benefit to the environment because it reduces CO2 emissions.

Guest Article by Neil Camp

Solar power is a fast growing industry and there are plenty of reasons for considering it as an alternative method of powering the home, not least of which is the potential reduction in CO2 and other harmful emissions that currently come from your house. That said, is it an economically viable option for the regular house owner or is it just a waste of good money?

Unfortunately the debate is still raging and although plenty of companies in the UK say that it is a viable option there are equally as many sceptics. The price of solar panels varies greatly depending on the size you want, the type of output you want and the energy you expect them to produce. Simple solar panels convert the sun’s energy directly into heat and this is harnessed to produce hot water within the home. Photovoltaic tiles on the other hand convert the sun’s energy into electricity which can then be used to power lights and other appliances. Solar panels are understandably cheaper than the photovoltaic tiles however they only help you to save on your hot water bill and not on your electricity bill. Saying that, they will both save you some money in the long run, plus they will help to reduce your household’s carbon footprint.

So how much money can solar power save you?

Again there is no definitive answer and the amount you save depends on the number of panels you have, the size of the panels and the amount of sun your roof gets. Ariston report that their solar thermal system can save you up to 50% on your energy bills however at over £5000 to install it will take quite a while to recoup the investment. Other manufacturers and installers say that solar power can provide around half of your domestic power needs which again would indicate a saving of 50% however you have to have a top of the range system and a good geographical location to really achieve this maximum.

Is it an economically viable option?

Generally speaking, solar power systems will save you money on your heating and electricity bills however the price of installation means that you may not see the savings for a good number of years. If you intend to stay in your home for eternity then paying out for a quality system will make economical sense in the long run but if you think you may move at some point in the future then it would probably be a mistake. There are a variety of grants available that help to cover the cost of installation however they only tend to cover specific solar power systems when installed by specific registered installers – and this can work out to be more expensive than choosing a different company and not receiving the grant! My advice is to do your homework and ask plenty of questions regarding the system you’re interested in to see if it will save you a decent amount of money in the future.

Guest Article by Clare Lynock