The owner of a detached house in Meulebeke, Flanders, Belgium, has managed to balance priorities that rarely align: saving money, reducing his environmental impact, and maintaining the comfort and amenities he values.
Heating element installed
These comforts go beyond a well-heated parlour – the homeowner also enjoys a jacuzzi. The hot tub, set in the garden in front of the house, requires significant energy to heat its 1,500 litres of water. Previously, this energy came from the existing gas heating system, which proved costly, especially as rising energy prices following the Russian invasion of Ukraine have impacted households in Belgium.
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My-PV triples production space for solar-electric heating systems
To cut costs, the homeowner searched for an alternative for his family of four and ultimately chose a solar-electric heating and hot water system. A 200-litre hot water tank is heated directly by an electric rod, which is managed by an AC Thor power controller from Austrian manufacturer My PV.
Own solar power in the hot water
This allows the homeowner to make full use of the energy generated by the existing 15-kilowatt rooftop photovoltaic system. It supplies enough power to heat the partially renovated house and provide hot water from March to October, as well as to warm the jacuzzi to a comfortable 37 degrees Celsius. A second My PV power controller was installed specifically to manage heating for the jacuzzi.
Saving energy costs
This means the building is now almost entirely disconnected from the natural gas supply. Gas is only used for cooking, with the previous boiler covering peak demand in winter.
The savings show up clearly on the energy bill. The homeowner saves €350 a year on hot water compared to 2021 prices, before the energy crisis, and estimates monthly savings of €45 at current electricity rates. What’s more, he can enjoy a hot bath without any guilt. “Beyond the financial benefits, the comfort and peace of mind are worth highlighting—knowing that all the energy needed for heating the house and hot tub comes from my own photovoltaic system,” he says. (su/mfo)
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