Is The Solar Hot Water Cylinder Important?
Having a high quality Solar Cylinder is such an important part of your solar panel system.
30% of the payback from solar, comes directly from the cylinder itself. Therefore, if you just install a solar cylinder in your house, in place of your existing standard cylinder, you will see 30% of the financial benefits that a person with a complete solar system will see!
The reason for this is a combination of a few things;
- Pre insulated with high density insulation
- High efficiency, large surface area coils
- Special configuration of the coils
- Cylinders are tall and slim, not short and wide
So, Copper or Stainless Steel Cylinders?
There are advantages to both copper and stainless steel cylinders and there is a cost difference, so choosing the right material is important.
Copper Solar Cylinder
A copper solar cylinder is probably the most common form of hot water cylinder chosen in Ireland. The reason for this are cost and suitability. Copper cylinders are generally only suitable for low pressures. Most houses in Ireland only have low pressure, or “vented” hot water systems.This means you don’t have to use stainless steel, although it has some desirable benefits.
We can manufacture your copper solar cylinder in many different ways. You have a choice of base sizes and height is totally flexible. We can arrange the coils in whatever way is most suitable to your hot press. This way, all the connections are visible, and easily accessible for future maintenance etc…Triple coil is available if you have a back boiler, range, Stanly, Agga etc…
After we have made the bare cylinder, it needs to be insulated. Have a look at a hot water cylinder after receiving its insulation spray in the photo to the left. We use 50mm of high density insulation for solar cylinders. This is twice the industry standard.
If your water is hard or acidic, its best practice to choose stainless steel, as copper corrodes in these water types. Because of this, we are restricted to offering a 1 year warranty with our copper solar cylinders. Know more about the price of solar hot water systems by using our online calculator.
| Copper solar cylinder volume (twin coil) | Suitable occupancy |
| 200 litre, 50mm solar insulation, high output coils | 2 people |
| 250 litre, 50mm solar insulation, high output coils | 4 people |
| 300 litre, 50mm solar insulation, high output coils | 6 people |
| 400 litre, 50mm solar insulation, high output coils | 8 people |
Stainless Steel Solar Hot Water Cylinders
A stainless steel hot water solar cylinder differs from a copper cylinder in a few ways. The most obvious one is the material of which it’s constructed. There are a few different grades of stainless steel. Our stainless steel solar cylinders are made from duplex grade. This is slightly better than standard 316, and far superior than 304 grade.
Remember to check the grade of the stainless steel cylinder if your comparing different manufacturers. We can use 304 grade for a financial saving of about 8%, but we can only offer a 5 year warranty with that grade. Our standard grade is duplex and because of its extremely good corrosion resistance, we are able to offer a 20 year warranty with the cylinder, subject to it being maintained.
Another difference with stainless steel, is that it can take high pressures. Mains water pressure water ranges from 1-4 bar throughout Ireland. Our stainless steel cylinders are rated to 6 bar, and are tested to 9 bar before leaving the factory. If you have a high pressure or “un-vented” hot water system, you must use stainless steel. If you don’t have high pressure hot water, and would like to have it, we can generally convert any house to high pressure hot water for a small fee. Ask us when you’re inquiring.
| Stainless steel solar cylinder volume (twin coil) | Suitable occupancy |
| 200 litre, 50mm solar insulation, high output coils | 2 people |
| 250 litre, 50mm solar insulation, high output coils | 4 people |
| 300 litre, 50mm solar insulation, high output coils | 6 people |
| 400 litre, 50mm solar insulation, high output coils | 8 people |
Our unvented stainless steel cylinders are complete with
- Factor fitted temp stats
- 2 port valves for central heating control
- Expansion vessel, pressure reducing set
- Tun dish.
You can also check out our solar water heating panels, electric solar panels, and gas condensing boilers for your home.