Things I would do different next time

I would run the 15 mm ID silicone tube out of the panel and into the roof space before I reduced down to 6 mm ID tube. This stops the worry that the brass reducers would burst through freezing.

Although I think this would be unlikely, and there have been no problems so far, with the panel been frozen many many times.

I would definitely arrange for the panel temp probe to be changed without dismantling the panel. Some way to change the probe from outside would be a good idea.

I would like to use a different pump. The Charles Austen pump is no longer available to the DIY customer. Due to pressure from the solar thermal trade. So I would like to think I could get a replacement pump easily should I need to in the future. There are also no spare parts for the C/A pump.

The two gate/isolating valves I have used are not very good. When messing about with things I notice that they let a small amount of water pass when closed. So I will have to change these with lever type ball valves.

I paid far too much for the Polycarbonate sheet. Do a Google search for "polycarbonate sheet cut to size". You should be able to get a sheet this size for about £35.00 delivered.

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