Solar Thermal Heating

These fantastic systems may be much cheaper to install than you would think!

If your roof faces South, South East or South West, you should certainly consider Solar Thermal. Installed correctly, it will generate gallons of hot water and cut your fossil fuel bills considerably. Two panels (often just one) are usually more than enough - so you don't need to cover your whole roof with them!

A collector is mounted facing the sun, typically on a roof, and fluid is pumped through it to collect the heat. This heated fluid is then circulated through a heat exchanger in a hot water cylinder, which in turn heats your hot water.

Changes in Solar thermal design in the last ten years have been largely concentrated on improving heat extraction methods and the computerised controls which manage the system.

The system works to some extent all year round (except when the panels are covered e.g. with snow). On sunny days, you won't need your gas or oil boiler at all, but for much of the year your boiler will need to add some heat to bring the hot water up to temperature. Even if your Solar system cannot bring the water up to the right temperature, it will have done a lot of work, by preheating the water in the cylinder, so that the energy needed from the boiler is minimised. A Solar hot water system will therefore reduce your use of fuel and your carbon dioxide emissions.

Because of the very high temperatures which can occur inside solar panels, these systems must be installed by people who are not only properly qualified, but who fully understand them.

We install Grant Solar thermal systems, which are extremely well engineered. Their flat panels are German made whilst their clever controller and high efficiency pump stations are manufactured to a carefully in-house researched Grant design. Evacuated tube collectors are also available. Coupled with the superior Grant controller and pump station this ensures that solar hot water performance is maximised.

For more information about Solar thermal options and what these systems could do for your home please contact us.