Basic advice/opinions on complex heating system: Chromagen
Hello,
I recently bought a house in Italy with a fairly complex heating system.
(I don’t know much about heating systems, so it might not be complex to other people here).
I would value any comments you might want to make about the basic system (pic attached). Some things about it don’t seem right to me, although I have checked all the pipework thoroughly, so I’m confident the diagram is correct.
Thanks…
To be better able to assess your system it will be necessary for you to include pumps/valves etc. on the schematic.
I would expect the pipework from the gas boiler to the thermal store to be opposite to that shown.
What is the make and model of your thermal store?
The tank has a plate that says: "Chromagen, Model: BSF750V2M085". There's also lots of other information on the plate.
I've added the pumps and valves to the diagram.
I also wondered about the position of the pipes from the gas boiler, but I checked them several times and I'm sure that's the way they are.
The ground floor has UFH (there are two separate UFH loops - it's a big house and I didn't put all the details on the diagram). Each UFH circuit is controlled by a room thermostat controlling a valve in the return pipe from the loop. The feed pipe goes through a mixer valve, which I assume mixes the feed and return in order to achieve the correct temperature.
The first floor uses radiators. There are 8 radiators, divided into two circuits, each circuit is controlled by a room thermostat.
From the information provided this is how I assume your system is designed to work.
On sunnier days the solar thermal system heats the water in the thermal store, which I believe also acts as the hot water cylinder.
If the UFH systems operates, water is passed through a heating coil within the thermal store and absorbs thermal energy which is supplied to the UFH loops. As you have stated the water temperature may be reduced by the mixing valve.
Having given some thought on the subject, I believe that the pipework from the gas boiler is reversed from the normal arrangement for a reason. When solar energy has been collected within the heat store this can then be used in preference to burning gas. I am assuming that the water pump is within the gas boiler, so to get water to the radiators it is necessary for the gas boiler to operate, but by heating this water in a heating coil within the thermal store before it goes as return water to the gas boiler, the gas boiler may not need to fire or fires at a lower output.
In the Winter months when solar thermal energy may be limited, the gas boiler will not only supply the radiators, but also warm the thermal store and hence supply the UFH and DHW.
I think that the thermal store must therefore contain three individual heating coils, one for solar thermal, one for UFH and one associated with the gas boiler.
Thanks, Derek, that gives me a lot to think about. I'll try to absorb your analysis and get to grips with the system!
- 22 Forums
- 2,073 Topics
- 45.5 K Posts
- 24 Online
- 3,352 Members
Join Us!
Trusted Installers
Struggling to find a reliable heat pump installer? A poor installation can lead to inefficiencies and high running costs. We now connect homeowners with top-rated installers who deliver quality work and excellent service.
✅ Verified, trusted & experienced installers
✅ Nationwide coverage expanding
✅ Special offers available
Latest Posts
-
RE: Commencing on an ASHP Installation Process
I think therein lies the problem. Ratio of quotes to i...
By JamesPa , 8 hours ago
-
RE: Why Your MCS-Certified Installer Might Not Be As Competent As You Think
Hive and most other smart thermostats don't play well w...
By JamesPa , 10 hours ago
-
RE: Enabling WiFi: Samsung ASHP on Smart Things App
Thanks for the input. I've been running various experim...
By Grahamh-uk , 10 hours ago
-
RE: Radiators downstairs are cooler at the bottom after ASHP install
@melonbuffet Hi, this sounds great is you are getting 5...
By ASHP-BOBBA , 13 hours ago
-
RE: 5 Star Service from Havenwise
... a mode of operation which increases losses due to p...
By Transparent , 13 hours ago
-
RE: Ripped Off: How UK Homeowners Are Paying Gas Prices for Wind Energy
I believe there's another reason that network upgrades ...
By Transparent , 1 day ago
-
RE: What’s the modern take on advised types of insulation?
@jeff I am sorry @jeff if I have misunderstood what you...
By Toodles , 1 day ago
-
RE: Getting the best out of a heat pump - is Homely a possible answer?
@editor Cobbler’s Mantra that!
By Toodles , 2 days ago
-
RE: Renewables & Heat Pumps in the News
Australia Blue, the first wind farm in Western Victoria...
By Morgan , 2 days ago
-
RE: Flow rate discrepancy between ASHP and manifold
That's useful thanks, I hadn't seen that table before. ...
By AshRolls , 3 days ago
-
In principle I agree, @johnmo, but with provisos. The...
By Majordennisbloodnok , 3 days ago
-
RE: Heat pump installation and BUS Grant timings
@jamespa Thats how I understood it too. 🙂
By ASHP-BOBBA , 3 days ago
-
RE: Antifreeze top up for my heat pump - is this a rip off?
@sallyl That sounds about right if they are re-filling ...
By Brendon Uys , 3 days ago
-
I wouldn't be so sure about that. Heat pump designers ...
By JamesPa , 4 days ago
-
RE: Jokes and fun posts about heat pumps and renewables
@toodles they're a rowdy bunch!
By Mars , 5 days ago
-
RE: Home energy storage & battery register
@jamespa To a certain extent, by exporting to the grid ...
By Toodles , 5 days ago
-
RE: Forum updates, announcements & issues
@editor Fairy Nuff Mars, I doubt that my ramblings woul...
By Toodles , 6 days ago
-
RE: Confusion about heat pump sizing
We’ve published a deep dive into heat pump sizing, and ...
By Mars , 7 days ago
-
We’ve published a deep dive into heat pump sizing, and ...
By Mars , 7 days ago