We built our house 5 years ago. A gas line was installed specifically for us, which we of course paid for. We bought what we thought we could afford. Our budget was... limited.
A few weeks ago, I called the heating technician who services our system to ask what else we could do from the system side to save gas. Together, we adjusted the system settings. It turned out that the Wolf system prioritizes gas as an energy source over the solar thermal system. We couldn’t lower the minimum temperature produced by gas below 45°C (113°F) — previously it was 55°C (131°F) — and we couldn’t reverse the priority. Both settings were protected from alterations. We would accept it if, for example, the water is only lukewarm while showering sometimes, and if the boiler occasionally runs as a precaution against legionella once a week.
I am now going to contact the manufacturer to see if reprogramming might be possible. We chose the heating technician the manufacturer recommended as particularly skilled with their products, even though his travel distance is not ideal. Our bungalow is not really well suited for solar power production as it is surrounded by taller buildings.
Of course, it’s clear that the gas heating system probably won’t last long and that we will need to invest significantly. However, I don’t yet see how electricity consumption will save us.
What does the collective intelligence say? Can you optimize the controls further? What else could be improved?
Best regards,
Gabriele
A few weeks ago, I called the heating technician who services our system to ask what else we could do from the system side to save gas. Together, we adjusted the system settings. It turned out that the Wolf system prioritizes gas as an energy source over the solar thermal system. We couldn’t lower the minimum temperature produced by gas below 45°C (113°F) — previously it was 55°C (131°F) — and we couldn’t reverse the priority. Both settings were protected from alterations. We would accept it if, for example, the water is only lukewarm while showering sometimes, and if the boiler occasionally runs as a precaution against legionella once a week.
I am now going to contact the manufacturer to see if reprogramming might be possible. We chose the heating technician the manufacturer recommended as particularly skilled with their products, even though his travel distance is not ideal. Our bungalow is not really well suited for solar power production as it is surrounded by taller buildings.
Of course, it’s clear that the gas heating system probably won’t last long and that we will need to invest significantly. However, I don’t yet see how electricity consumption will save us.
What does the collective intelligence say? Can you optimize the controls further? What else could be improved?
Best regards,
Gabriele
Do I understand this correctly… Your buffer tank has also been providing hot water for heating during the summer (heated by gas), even though no heating was actually needed? My problem is that the domestic hot water (when we draw it) is reheated by the burner, even though the solar collectors show temperatures above 100°C (212°F).
F
fach1werk7 Jul 2022 15:39No, it’s more like the control system itself decides when heating is necessary. As it is now, it’s not allowed to do that because I have set it so that it doesn’t turn on.
What you describe would be more like prioritization in my case. Our solar thermal system is configured so that heat is released already below 100°C (212°F) to prevent the installed components from being damaged. By releasing heat, I also end up paying for the electricity used to flush out the hot water.
What you describe would be more like prioritization in my case. Our solar thermal system is configured so that heat is released already below 100°C (212°F) to prevent the installed components from being damaged. By releasing heat, I also end up paying for the electricity used to flush out the hot water.
F
fach1werk10 Jul 2022 10:03Wolf’s response is here and reads as follows:
Unfortunately, from a distance, we cannot determine whether there is any potential for savings. It is possible that the manufacturer’s customer service offers an adjustment service, which is charged as a service fee of 219.- plus VAT. This service includes checking the system and adjusting it according to your preferences, as well as providing an explanation. To commission this service, please use this link (link).
The gas boiler will be set so that if no solar input is active, a comfort level is maintained. Otherwise, there is no guarantee that you will reach the desired temperature. When the solar controller is connected to the heating unit, there is a solar boiler stop that, upon a successful solar charge, heats the domestic hot water only to the minimum hot water temperature by 2 p.m. the following day; this factory setting is 45°C (113°F). After that, heating resumes according to the basic settings. If there is prolonged sunshine, you could set the domestic hot water preparation to standby and then intervene manually, for example with a one-time boost.
(Here follows an excerpt from the operating manual.)
We cannot provide any statement regarding heating operation remotely.
I have corrected individual typos.
Best regards, Gabriele
Unfortunately, from a distance, we cannot determine whether there is any potential for savings. It is possible that the manufacturer’s customer service offers an adjustment service, which is charged as a service fee of 219.- plus VAT. This service includes checking the system and adjusting it according to your preferences, as well as providing an explanation. To commission this service, please use this link (link).
The gas boiler will be set so that if no solar input is active, a comfort level is maintained. Otherwise, there is no guarantee that you will reach the desired temperature. When the solar controller is connected to the heating unit, there is a solar boiler stop that, upon a successful solar charge, heats the domestic hot water only to the minimum hot water temperature by 2 p.m. the following day; this factory setting is 45°C (113°F). After that, heating resumes according to the basic settings. If there is prolonged sunshine, you could set the domestic hot water preparation to standby and then intervene manually, for example with a one-time boost.
(Here follows an excerpt from the operating manual.)
We cannot provide any statement regarding heating operation remotely.
I have corrected individual typos.
Best regards, Gabriele
fach1werk schrieb:
If it stays sunny for longer, you could set the water heating to standby.Dear Gabriele, have you found the standby button for the water heating? I think that would also stop the Legionella disinfection cycle, wouldn’t it?F
fach1werk1 Aug 2022 22:06Hello Yvonne, yes, I simply turned off the gas manually. Since then, the hot water has not run out. It actually feels hotter to me than before.
Legionella in a two-person bungalow doesn’t really worry me. I am familiar with stagnation zones and legionella from my professional experience in multi-family buildings, especially those with old, corroded pipes, apartments far from the boiler, faucets that haven’t been turned on for weeks, clogged aerators. None of these apply to our house.
I will keep the gas on until we either start feeling cold or have to wash our hair with water that’s too cold a few times. And who knows what other reasons might come up.
We are very privileged here with single-family homes, partly because we can make decisions on our own even if there are no perfect solutions.
Legionella in a two-person bungalow doesn’t really worry me. I am familiar with stagnation zones and legionella from my professional experience in multi-family buildings, especially those with old, corroded pipes, apartments far from the boiler, faucets that haven’t been turned on for weeks, clogged aerators. None of these apply to our house.
I will keep the gas on until we either start feeling cold or have to wash our hair with water that’s too cold a few times. And who knows what other reasons might come up.
We are very privileged here with single-family homes, partly because we can make decisions on our own even if there are no perfect solutions.
Here is my experience with our Wolf gas boiler (with solar module). For weeks or even months, we felt that the solar heat wasn’t reaching the boiler. Finally, our plumber came by and completely flushed the solar line. It turned out that air pockets were blocking the circulation, so nothing was getting through. Now it’s running exactly as we expected. The solar boiler heats up properly, sometimes reaching up to 70°C (158°F). A mixing valve lowers the temperature to 50°C (122°F) before use. Since then, the gas boiler hasn’t switched on at all. I also asked if we could simply turn off the gas. In principle, yes, but the display would show an error that needs to be acknowledged. He advised against it. Is it the same for you @fach1werk?
Similar topics