Solar Cylinder - copper or stainless steel?

Manuel

Having already spoken to a few plumbers, I feel none the wiser ....

I'm replacing my cylinder, as there's a hole in the coil, so now I want to bite the bullet and install a solar cylinder with the future in mind.

I currently have an open-vented twin-coil 200 litre copper cylinder, fed by the oil central heating and a Stanley solid-fuel stove. My water supply is from a local Group scheme. We are a family of 2+4.

Is a copper 300 litre triple coil "solar" cylinder suitable, or do I need to go stainless steel - and why?

Copper is ~€600 and Stainless Steel ~€900 in quotes so far.

Thanks a million!

ccsolar

Manuel wrote: »

Having already spoken to a few plumbers, I feel none the wiser ....

I'm replacing my cylinder, as there's a hole in the coil, so now I want to bite the bullet and install a solar cylinder with the future in mind.

I currently have an open-vented twin-coil 200 litre copper cylinder, fed by the oil central heating and a Stanley solid-fuel stove. My water supply is from a local Group scheme. We are a family of 2+4.

Is a copper 300 litre triple coil "solar" cylinder suitable, or do I need to go stainless steel - and why?

Copper is ~€600 and Stainless Steel ~€900 in quotes so far.

Thanks a million!

Hi Manuel
Stainless steel is a better option for you as the tank would have a 25 year guarantee where as the copper would only have 2 - 5 yrs
All guarantees have terms which are worth reading especially when it comes to solid fuel.
Do you know why the coil failed?
I also think your paying about € 200 over on the stainless tank
Cc

Pkiernan

ccsolar wrote: »

Hi Manuel
Stainless steel is a better option for you as the tank would have a 25 year guarantee where as the copper would only have 2 - 5 yrs
All guarantees have terms which are worth reading especially when it comes to solid fuel.
Do you know why the coil failed?
I also think your paying about € 200 over on the stainless tank
Cc

I'd also up the size to at least 300 litres.

Manuel

ccsolar wrote: »

Hi Manuel
Stainless steel is a better option for you as the tank would have a 25 year guarantee where as the copper would only have 2 - 5 yrs
All guarantees have terms which are worth reading especially when it comes to solid fuel.
Do you know why the coil failed?
I also think your paying about € 200 over on the stainless tank
Cc

Thanks ccsolar. I don't know why the coil failed. It's a 7-year-old cylinder, and I have had a water softener in place from day 1, so it shouldn't be limescale! "One of those things" maybe? I certainly wouldn't like it to happen again in another 7 years .... would the Stainless Steel guarantee cover the coil?? I'll shop around for better SS prices, thanks. Would you recommend any particular manufacturer?

Manuel

I just thought of another related question. Can this third coil be used by other technologies besides solar? I hope I'm not limiting my options in the future .... sorry if that's a dumb question, I haven't looked too much into what I would use this third coil for, I just want my new cylinder to be future-proof, and I need to replace the cylinder soon ... I'm getting metered for all this leaking water, not to mention what it could be doing to my central heating system ...
Thanks!

ccsolar

PM Sent
Cc