© 2024 All rights reserved
Company Reg: 11605549
VAT No: 243068323
Gas Safe No: 558853
MCS No: APH-47251
What is Solar Thermal (Solar Thermal Heating)?
Solar water heating (also known as solar thermal), is the process of capturing energy from the sun via the use of solar panels, to heat water for use in the home. Solar thermal offers much lower heating costs than traditional gas or electric-powered heating systems and produces fewer carbon emissions. This makes it a popular choice for homeowners looking to reduce their carbon footprint.
How does Solar Thermal work?
This type of system uses solar thermal panels, (also known as solar collectors) to collect energy from the sun. Solar thermal panels are a different type of technology than conventional solar PV panels, which use photovoltaic cells to capture the sun rays before turning it into electricity.
Solar collectors are made up of cells containing a fluid which absorbs heat directly from the sun. The heated fluid is then transferred to a coil fitted inside the hot water cylinder. The coil helps transfer the heat to the water stored in the cylinder. Once the heat transfer is complete the liquid is pumped back into the collectors, where the cycle starts again.
Benefits of solar water heating
Evacuated tube solar collector
An evacuated tube solar collector (also known as a vacuum tube solar collector) is made up of a number of rows of clear glass tubes connected to a top pipe. Each tube contains an inner water pipe to absorb the suns rays and generate heat. The space between the outer tube and inner water water creates a vacuum which reduces heat loss.
Tried and tested technology
Even the smallest ray of sunlight reaches the absorber via the mirrors behind the tubes. Therefore even when diagonal radiation occurs, the vacuum collector still achieves constantly high solar earnings and energy yields.
Evacuated tube solar collectors are manufactured using toughened glass and have a glass vacuum seal for longevity. The tubes are internally coated with an aluminium nitride absorber for maximum solar efficiency.
Is solar water heating right for your home?
To tell if solar water heating is right for you, there are a few key questions to consider:
Solar hot water collectors are typically placed on South facing roof, or somewhere between East to West (but not North facing). You will need around five square meters that receive direct sunlight for the main part of the day.
The panels don’t have to be mounted on a roof. They can be fixed to a frame on a flat roof, hung from a wall or mounted on the ground.
Energy is transferred from the sun to the water-glycol fluid used to heat water stored in a hot water cylinder. Inside the hot water cylinder, a base coil is connected to the solar collectors. Typically, one cylinder is used, with either an immersion heater or another coil connected to your boiler, near the top of the cylinder. This top immersion heater or coil will heat the water to a higher temperature when needed. If a dedicated solar hot water cylinder is not already installed, then you will usually need to replace the existing cylinder.
Instead of a single hot water cylinder with two coils, some installations use a dedicated cylinder with a solar heating coil in addition to the existing cylinder.
Conventional boilers and hot water cylinder systems are often compatible with solar water heating. However, if you have a combi boiler, this will mean a solar hot water cylinder must be added to the system, so you’ll need to consider where this might be located.
Most home solar water heating systems are considered ‘permitted developments’, meaning they don’t require planning permission. However, exceptions apply, and you should check with your local planning office.
If your home is a listed building, or in a conservation area or national park, you may have more restrictions.
Costs
The cost of installing a typical solar water heating system is around £3,000 to £5,000. Costs will depend on whether you choose evacuated tube or flat plate collectors, as well as the size of the system.
Savings
Solar water heating systems will normally be designed to provide roughly half your hot water requirement. The saving will vary throughout the year, with systems providing nearly all your hot water in the summer, but less during the winter months.
Maintenance
Solar hot water systems are typically low maintenance, but it is important to follow our installer’s guidance. Solar water heating systems installed by ATG as an MCS contractor will come with a five-year workmanship warranty and 10 years or more for the panel warranty.
Once fitted, our installers should leave written details of any maintenance checks that you can carry out to ensure everything is working properly. This normally includes checking a pressure gauge to ensure there are no leaks.
If you are not getting hot water or the solar pipework is cold when the pump is running on warm, sunny days, you should check the control panel for warnings, and then contact us.
For peace of mind, some we offer an annual service check. This should cost less than a full service and takes around 10-20 minutes.
You should have your system checked more thoroughly every five years. This will involve draining and flushing the system and replacing the fluid. This is because over time the anti-freeze protection offered by the glycol will reduce. Leaving it for longer than five years can be detrimental to the system’s efficient operation.
If you’re leaving for a summer break, you should leave your solar water heating system running. Some solar controllers offer a ‘holiday’ function that will help protect the system if you are away for a few days – but don’t forget to turn it off when you return.
Heating your home
If you are interested in generating your own energy, it is important to use an MCS certified Installer so that the technology you choose is specified, installed and maintained correctly.
MCS is a mark of quality. Using an MCS certified installer ensures that equipment meets good standards of performance and that installers are technically safe and competent.
MCS certified Installers have undergone a rigorous vetting process to demonstrate that they adhere to our Standards. These Standards demonstrate a commitment to quality. They will also be a member of a Consumer Code which means strengthened customer protection for you.
If your technology is eligible for a government incentive, you will need to be able to provide MCS certification to claim this.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, you could get a grant to cover part of the cost of replacing fossil fuel heating systems with a heat pump or biomass boiler.
Fossil fuel heating systems include oil, gas or electric.
After you’ve checked you’re eligible, find out how to apply for the grant.
What you can get
You can get one grant per property. Grants are available for:
Trustmark Accreditation
As a not-for-profit social enterprise, TrustMark takes pride in continually investing in the scheme, supporting Scheme Providers and Registered Businesses to improve consumer protection and standards across all sectors.
TrustMark delivers consumer confidence through its expert network of Scheme Providers and their Registered Businesses. TrustMark Scheme Providers commit to meeting the Framework Operating Requirements and ensuring their Registered Businesses maintain required standards of technical competence, customer service and trading practices.
Established in 2005, TrustMark operates within a Master Licence Agreement issued by the Government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
TrustMark licences and audits over 35 Scheme Providers with over 15,000 Registered Businesses. These encompass 156 different service types and include everything you might expect: plumbers, electricians and builders to a few you might not: carpet cleaners, landscape gardeners and leadwork specialists, plus most trades in-between.
Improving the efficiency of your heating system will help reduce your fuel bills and carbon emissions
Insulating and draught-proofing your home helps prevent wasting heat.
Renewable Heating
• Air Source Heat Pumps
• Ground Source Heat Pumps
• Solar Photo Voltaic
• Solar Thermal
Central Heating (Gas, Oil, LPG)
• Full Design & Installation
• Servicing
• Maintenance
• Upgrades
• Gas Safety Certificates
• Powerflush
Plumbing
• High Quality Bathroom Design & Specification
• Installation
• Maintenance
• Cold Water Storage Tanks
• Vented & Unvented Hot Water Cylinders
• Plumbing System Maintenance
• Pipework Replacement & Repair
© 2024 All rights reserved
Company Reg: 11605549
VAT No: 243068323
Gas Safe No: 558853
MCS No: APH-47251