Solar Heating can provide energy to heat your home as well as heat the water

(11/11/2009)

Solar water heating systems use heat from the sun to warm domestic hot water. A conventional boiler or immersion heater is then used to make the water hotter, or to provide hot water when solar energy is unobtainable.

Solar water heating systems use solar panels known in the industry as ‘collectors’. These collectors are fitted to the roof of the house. These collect heat from the sun and use it to warm water which is stored in a hot water cylinder.

Basically there are two main types of collectors:
1. Flat plate systems - which are made up of an absorber plate with a transparent cover to collect the sun's heat. These can be fixed to the roof tiles or integrated into the roof.
2. Evacuated tube systems - which are made up of a row of glass tubes that each contain an absorber plate feeding into a manifold which transports the heated fluid.

Having a boiler or immersion heater can be used to increase the temperature of the water further to reach the temperature set by the cylinders thermostat when the solar water heating system does not reach that temperature.

If larger solar panels are installed in your home it can also provide energy to heat your home as well in a similar fashion to heating the water. Although you will need a great amount of sun to heat the home in this way outside of the summer months.

Advantages of Solar Water Heating
• Hot water throughout the year: the system works all year round, though you'll need to heat the water further with a boiler or immersion heater during the winter months.
• Cut your bills: sunlight is free, so once you've paid for the initial installation your hot water costs will be reduced.
• Cut your carbon footprint: solar hot water is a green, renewable heating system and doesn't release any harmful carbon dioxide or other pollutants

To tell if solar water heating is right for you, there are a few key questions to consider:
• Do you have a sunny place to put solar panels?
• Do you have space for a larger, or an extra, hot water cylinder?
• Is your current boiler compatible with solar water heating?
• Do you need planning permission?

Costs for a typical solar water heating system range from £3,000 to £5,000.
It will save up to 580kg of CO2 emissions, depending on what fuel you will be replacing. Also solar water heating system can provide about a third of your hot water needs, reducing your water heating bill by between £50 and £85 per year.

Maintenance costs are very low. Most solar water heating systems come with a 5-10 year warranty and require little maintenance. You should take a look at your panels every year and have them checked more thoroughly by an accredited installer every 3-5 years, or as specified by your installer.

NetPlumb has Worcester Bosch and Ecodan Solar Panel accredited installers.

Related categories:  Energy management   Hot water generation and supply   Residential applications   Solar heating