Solar Thermal
How do solar water heating systems work?
Solar water heating systems use solar panels, called collectors, fitted to your roof. These collect heat from the sun and use it to warm water which is stored in a hot water cylinder.
There are two types of solar water heating panels; they are evacuated tubes and flat plate collectors. Flat plate’s collectors can be fixed on the roof tiles or integrated into the roof.
A boiler or immersion heater can be used as a back up to heat the water further to reach the temperature set by the cylinders thermostat when the solar water heating system does not reach the required temperature.
The benefits 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.
* Reduce your bills, sunlight is free, so once you’ve paid the initial installation costs you’ll start saving on the amount of energy you pay for.
* Cut your carbon footprint, solar thermal is a clean, renewable energy, and will reduce the carbon emissions from your heating system.
* Solar thermal qualifies for the Renewable Heat Incentive, so as well as saving money and reducing emissions, you’ll also earn extra income as a reward for switching to a cleaner way of living.
Kingspan Accredited Installer
Premier Plumbing & Heating are a Kingspan Accredited Installer which means that as well as providing first class installation and commissioning, we can also offer our customers an extended 20 year warranty period on all Kingspan Solar Thermal tubes and panels installed by us.
Solar Thermal Savings
2 Bedroom Home
Number of people in the house: 2-3
Number of solar panels required: 1
% of annual hot water produced from solar: 53%*
| Estimated savings: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Gas heating | £83 per year | 201kg CO2 per year |
| Oil heating | £118 per year | 273kg CO2 per year |
| LPG heating | £162 per year | 249kg CO2 per year |
| Electric heating (off peak) | £56 per year | 468kg CO2 per year |
3 Bedroom Home
Number of people in the house: 3-4
Number of solar panels required: 2
% of annual hot water produced from solar: 56%*
| Estimated savings: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Gas heating | £135 per year | 328kg CO2 per year |
| Oil heating | £192 per year | 444kg CO2 per year |
| LPG heating | £265 per year | 406kg CO2 per year |
| Electric heating (off peak) | £92 per year | 763kg CO2 per year |
4 Bedroom Home
Number of people in the house: 4-5
Number of solar panels required: 3
% of annual hot water produced from solar: 58%*
| Estimated savings: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Gas heating | £214 per year | 520kg CO2 per year |
| Oil heating | £305 per year | 704kg CO2 per year |
| LPG heating | £419 per year | 643kg CO2 per year |
| Electric heating (off peak) | £145 per year | 1209kg O2 per year |
* These figures are only an estimation based on the energy consumption of an average home. Many factors, ie, energy prices, weather, use of energy, position and size of solar panels, etc can have an affect on the figures shown.