How Does Solar Thermal Heating Work?
The Energy Conservation Group answer all your questions about what solar thermal energy is and how it works.
Will the system still work in cold weather?
Yes. Your solar thermal system will work in much colder temperatures than we experience in this country. We have a happy customer in a research station in South Georgia (Falkland Islands) where the average annual temperature is 4c.
Does the system only work on very sunny days?
No. Our solar collectors (or panels) do not need direct sunlight. They work on natural daylight (diffused radiation).
How are the Collectors fixed to the roof?
The collectors are fitted to the roof via stainless steel fixing brackets and bolted to the rafters. When fitting to a flat roof, an A-frame will be used.
How will Solar Thermal help the environment?
A solar hot water system on a typical house saves in the region of up to half a tonne of CO2 emissions a year. If every one of the 20 million houses in the UK had a solar hot water system, then we would save around 10,000,000 tonnes of CO2 each year in the UK
Will the System run my Central Heating?
A solar thermal system will not contribute to your central heating. However, unlike central heating, hot water is a year round requirement.
Is a Solar Thermal system suitable for my home?
You will typically need around 4-6m2 of roof space facing anywhere from east to west to maximize the efficiency of your solar collectors. South facing is the optimum position
Is my current boiler suitable for use with Solar Thermal heating?
Many standard boilers and hot water systems can be used alongside our solar thermal systems. You may need space for an additional, or bigger hot water cylinder.
If you have a combination (combi) boiler, and do not have a hot water tank, a Solar Thermal system may not be best suited to your home. Ask us for more information.
Do I need planning permission?
Most Solar Thermal systems can be installed without planning permission. You will require permission if your building is listed, in a conservation area or world heritage site.
How much will I save?
After installation, your hot water costs will be reduced immediately. Depending on the system you choose and the position of your home, you could produce up to 70% of your hot water for FREE.
What maintenance is required?
Maintenance costs are very low. We recommend a yearly visual check which you can do yourself and a more thorough check by our professional team every 5 years.