Dear Andy
You will recall that you installed a 3m2 Apricus-based water heating system last October on our 22 1/2 degree south-facing roof. I’ve delayed sending you my impressions until now, because impending winter was not the right time to form a balanced impression of performance! So with spring now very definitely in the air, here goes!
First, the installation experience. We can honestly say that Alison and I positively enjoyed your 2 1/2 days with us, and reckon that you score straight A’s on all counts. The work required, and its impacts were clearly outlined beforehand, and more importantly, kept to; this kept our concerns as to noise, dust and disruption to a minimum, and all these were in fact kept to very low levels. We particularly liked the protective plastic cover on the stair carpet, but this was typical of your care taken throughout.
The quality of the main absorber units, but also of the crucial sub-systems such as pipework, insulation and seals — all too-often skimped on, were uniformly, as far as we could tell, of the very best.
For equipment which we hope and expect to last decades rather than years, this factor gave us confidence in having chosen you to carry out this installation. False economies must be a temptation in beating the other chap's quote, but your overall figure was straight and fair.
As to our expectations and actual performance, so far so good. The four winter months mid-October to mid-February have been pretty wet and dismal this year, but nonetheless, the pump has been pumping heat on average for over 2.5 hours a day, which considering the shallow roof/shallow sun combination and the shade from the large tree to the south west, I regard as more than reasonable. A significant degree of pre-heating has been the norm, and this is most encouraging.
I'll keep you posted on this!
With best wishes from us both
Dick and Alison Warne
