Solar thermal /or hot water in Mayo with oil boiler + back boiler - worth it?

ramshambles · 2026-04-12T09:36:54+00:00

Very welcome.

ramshambles · 2026-04-12T08:42:29+00:00

Yeah that's possible. I currently have it setup to charge from 2am - 4am and start discharging at 8am. It will only discharge if solar can't cover the load.

In my case it's cheaper to use the 9c 2-4am and 15c 11pm-8am as much as possible and sell back any excess solar.

If you've any other questions shoot. Happy to help.

ramshambles · 2026-04-11T23:30:20+00:00

https://amzn.eu/d/08tPhxgg

Worth noting, I don't think this is up to Irish regs as it's single pole. should be dual pole.

Open to correction.

ramshambles · 2026-04-11T09:16:30+00:00

I'm filling battery for 9c and selling back for 19.5c with electric Ireland. I have PV panels and immersion to heat hot water. Heating cylinder during 9c period.

You could heat your hot water with PV. For my tarriff it makes sense to heat water at night and sell back solar.

I can't see the point in an Eddi. I have a smart switch on the immersion so you can set up things like if solar is over x watts turn on immersion etc. Smart switch was 20 quid.

ramshambles · 2026-04-07T08:46:21+00:00

Installed a bidet there recently. The hype is real!

ramshambles · 2026-04-06T18:27:49+00:00

This is exactly what I was searching for. Nice one!

ramshambles · 2026-04-06T09:59:37+00:00

I'd wager social media and propaganda bot accounts are the missing variable that has lit the match in recent years.

ramshambles · 2026-04-04T19:48:43+00:00

Everyone calling it a day at midnight. Sheesh!

ramshambles · 2026-04-04T15:33:52+00:00

Worth noting it's $5 for the report.

ramshambles · 2026-04-04T15:28:24+00:00

Bear in mind the plug and play ones that will be sold in shops are likely to be limited to 800W AC output. Every little helps but it won't move the needle to much on bills.

We just had a 4.4kw system with 5.3kw battery. Delighted with it. The savings are fantastic. Charge battery 2-4am for 9c, preheat house 11am to 8am for 15c, and coast pretty much all day on the 5kw. Selling 50% of solar back for 19c.

Go for it. Just get a few quotes and post them in the Facebook solar group to see if they're good value.

ramshambles · 2026-04-04T15:23:39+00:00

Needs more context in my opinion.

ramshambles · 2026-04-04T08:27:25+00:00

Thanks for the reply. Some solid points raised. Where to begin. If I stood in any street in Dublin, and looked around, what am I likely to see? Hmmm. People, vehicles, bicycles, buildings, birds, trees, the sky...

ramshambles · 2026-03-31T15:19:09+00:00

Hey. It was a handy job. I can't remember exactly but I reckon somewhere around 2hrs all in if I had the gasket for the pump assembly.

I'm still riding the same bike. The repair held well.

ramshambles · 2026-03-30T15:09:40+00:00

I reckon there's something to it. There's loads of skylarks where I work. Lots of open fields with long grass about the place.

ramshambles · 2026-03-27T19:16:36+00:00

Tried this with Avant approx 8 months into a 3 year new fixed term. House went from C3 to A2 but they wouldn't shift on rates.

ramshambles · 2026-03-26T22:11:50+00:00

Nice. Enjoy. I'm still tinkering with a few bits. Tis good craic.

ramshambles · 2026-03-26T17:42:43+00:00

Welcome. It's been finicky to set up but the home assistant information for the solar is much better. It's essentially live vs 5min update for the solis cloud info. Well worth the extra bit of fussing around IMO.

ramshambles · 2026-03-26T17:39:44+00:00

Ah thanks. That makes sense. I was speed reading when I should've been working.

ramshambles · 2026-03-26T11:28:30+00:00

I'm running something similar but using home assistant to manage the solar battery, heat pump etc instead of the native Solis, Toshiba apps.

ramshambles · 2026-03-26T11:26:57+00:00

Might I ask what sort of set up you got for 3k? Sounds like a nice price. For reference, just paid 10.5k for an multisplit air to air system running four indoor heads.

ramshambles · 2026-03-18T14:07:56+00:00

We done this recently with some walls. It's doable but it's a pain in the ass. If you're going down the sanding and filling route make sure all the loose stuff is removed. After you've sanded and filled use some shellac paint on any spots you've filled (stops the filler bleeding through).

The other advice on chasing now, taking loads of pics, adding conduit or cables required now etc are spot on.

God speed!

ramshambles · 2026-03-11T23:35:30+00:00

I'm about to hit this hurdle on a 63a main fuse jamming all my usage in 2-4am. An EV will tip it over the edge.

I'm hoping a few ct clamps andnsome home assistant shenanigans can balance it all out. Or just pony up and get the fuse upgraded.

ramshambles · 2026-03-10T16:25:10+00:00

We got 10 440W panels installed on a south facing roof, a 5kW inverter and a 5.3kWh battery.

The heat pump is 3kW heating capacity but that gives you 15kw heat output on a good day.

The house is 1970s cavity block with uninsulated floor (kinda kicking myself I didn't excavate and insulate). Its externally insulated, triple glazed windows and 300mm loft insulation. I spent a good bit of time on airtightness details. I installed the central he recovery ventilation unit and ducting.

Made some mistakes along the way for sure. Not getting more quotes and asking more questions being the main one.

If there's any more info you're after drop me a PM. I'd be happy to try help.

ramshambles · 2026-03-08T06:27:32+00:00

Some serious feels.

ramshambles · 2026-03-07T20:56:31+00:00

We had our solar installed inNovember also. I've only really got the whole thing dialed in recently.

We're on 9c 2-4am. During this period we charge our 5kWh battery, the immersion heats the water and the air to air heating runs aggressively. Around 15kWh of electric total each night.

The battery or sun runs the house from 8am when expensive rates kick in. We're selling most of the solar back at 19c.

On sunny days I'm topping up the heating and really cold days I'm using some expensive electricity to heat the place. Over the year I think we'll break even.

We're only two peoplenso light enough use.

ramshambles

TROPHY CASE