Is a solar water heating suitable for my home?
To tell if a solar heating system is right for you, there are a few key questions to consider:
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Do you have the sunny space? |
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You'll need around 5 square metres of roof space which faces east to west through south and receives direct sunlight for the main part of the day. There are alternatives if this is not feasible but installation costs could increase. |
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Do you have space for an extra or larger hot water cylinder? |
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If a dedicated solar cylinder is not already installed then you will need to replace the existing cylinder, or add a dedicated cylinder with a solar heating coil. |
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Is your current boiler compatible? |
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Most conventional boiler and hot water cylinder systems are compatible with solar water heating. If your boiler is a combination boiler (combi) without a hot water tank then a solar hot water system may not be compatible. |
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What type of heating system do you want? |
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Underfloor heating systems or warm air heating will be much more efficient than radiator-based systems. |
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Do you need planning permission? |
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In England most solar water heating systems don't need planning permission, but it is always best to consult your local planning office if you live in a Listed Building , or a building in Conservation Area or World Heritage Site. |
Domestic solar energy for your home?
Save money on energy bills from the moment it's installed and running. |
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The Solar solution is not a cheap technology.
Installed in an existing building it can cost between £2,500 and £5,000 (new builds considerably less).
Compared to the cost of a new kitchen it can be recognised as a valuable home improvement that can also pay you back.
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SOLAR ENERGY THROUGHOUT THE UK
Maximum power on a cloud free today occurs at solar noon at any location. The MET office has been recording this data for over 30 years.
Here is a map showing the geographical distribution of solar radiation for the UK . |
The map is showing variations in annual mean values of solar irradiation on a south facing 30 ° inclined plane in the UK in kWh/m2 |
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The available energy decreases as you head north because of the lower altitude of the sun, there are also substantial local variations as geological features such as mountains and proximity to the sea can affect the availability of solar radiation. |
| Advantages of Solar Energy |
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Hot Water all year round.
working all year round, with only the need to increase the waters heat with a boiler or immersion heater during the winter months |
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Reduced energy bills compared to gas.
The suns energy is free of charge. so once you've paid for the initial installation your hot water costs will be reduced. |
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Environmentally Friendly
Solar hot water is a green, renewable heating system and doesn't release any harmful carbon dioxide or pollutants.
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