If you think it’s wasteful to burn gas to heat hot water in the summer then you’re right. Upgrading your home to use a solar thermal hot water system is still one of the most sustainable investments you can make and when you do you’ll want to comply with MIS 3001.
MIS 3001 is the standard approved by the steering group of the Microgeneration Certification Scheme that defines the requirements for solar thermal systems. It’s endorsed by the Solar Trade Association (STA) and the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).
Essential for RHI
One of the big benefits of installing a solar thermal system in England & Wales is the potential to claim renewable heat incentive (RHI) for some of the energy use that’s offset by the move to a renewable system.
Compliance with MIS 3001 is a key condition that must be met in order to comply with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). Since MCS compliance is mandatory for anyone looking to claim RHI this is a major standard that should be followed by anyone installing a solar thermal system.
Solar pipe insulation thicknesses
Insulating pipework to reduce heat loss is an important clause within MIS 3001. Part L of the building regulations in England also requires that reasonable provision should be made to reduce energy loss from all pipework, including solar thermal pipework, and satisfying this usually means applying insulation.
The solar thermal experts responsible for MIS 3001 have assessed energy loss and the standard sets clear guidelines on the thicknesses that should be applied to satisfy the requirement for “reasonable provision”. The compliant thicknesses of Flexible EPDM insulation can be found in the table below:
| Pipe O.D. | Thickness for Elastomeric EPDM insulation |
|---|---|
| 10 mm | 10 mm |
| 12 mm | 13 mm |
| 15 mm | 13 mm |
| 22 mm | 19 mm |
| 28 mm | 25 mm |
| 35 mm | 32 mm |
learn more ... Kaimann Microgeneration e-paper
Source: Kaimann UK · Copyright image: shutterstock