Heating system

Abstract

A heating system comprises a hot water cylinder having a first input coil whereby water within the cylinder can be heated using solar energy, a second input coil whereby water within the cylinder can be heated by a boiler, and a third, output coil whereby heat can be extracted from the water within the cylinder, the system further comprising a heat demand, and control means operable to determine whether the heat demand is supplied from the boiler, from the third coil, or from a combination thereof.

1 . A heating system comprising a hot water cylinder having a first input coil whereby water within the cylinder can be heated using solar energy, a second input coil whereby water within the cylinder can be heated by a boiler, and a third, output coil whereby heat can be extracted from the water within the cylinder, the system further comprising a heat demand, and control means operable to determine whether the heat demand is supplied from the boiler, from the third coil, or from a combination thereof. 
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the control means comprises a mixer valve operable to control the supply of hot fluid from the boiler to the heat demand. 
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 2 , wherein the mixer valve further controls the supply of cooled fluid from the heat demand back to an input thereof. 
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the control means further comprises a control valve operable to control the supply of heated fluid from the third coil to the heat demand. 
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the control means additionally includes a control pump operable to return cooled fluid from the heat demand to the third coil. 
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a controller operable to control the operation of the components of the control means. 
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 6 , wherein the controller receives temperature signals representative of the fluid temperature in parts of the system and uses the temperature signals in controlling the operation of the control means. 
     
     
         8 . A system according to  claim 7 , wherein a differential temperature signal is used by the controller. 
     
     
         9 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat demand comprises an underfloor heating system. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled)