Solar Heating | Sustainable Solar Heating Panels

Looking forward for alternative methods of heating systems will not only make your property more environmentally friendly, it will also reduce your fuel bills. 20% of domestic carbon emissions can be attributed to heating water, therefore switching to a renewable, low carbon heating source will reduce your carbon footprint and save you money in the long run on your bills.

How does solar heating work?

Solar heating uses the radiation from the sun to heat water which can then be pumped into your central heating system, used as hot water or put into your hot water tank so that your conventional boiler has less work to do. Although you will need an alternative method as well because of the varying levels of sunlight available throughout the day, you could obtain around 40-60% of your heating requirements from solar panels if installed correctly. There are two types of solar panels available the flat plate or the evacuated tube, the former uses a plate where water collects and heats, the latter uses copper piping where water is passed through. The evacuated tube is generally more expensive to install but more efficient in terms of energy production.

How much does solar heating cost?

The cost of installing solar heating panels can vary anywhere between £1,000 and £8,000 depending on the size and type of panel you choose. The cost also varies depending on how easily it can be integrated into your plumbing system. You then need to consider ongoing costs of running solar heating, although maintenance costs are very low, there will be some running costs to pump the water round the system which will depend on the type of panel you choose. To reduce costs you could consider solar panels that come ready for DIY installation or you could look into the government schemes available to help pay for the installation of renewable heating systems. For example a government initiative being launched in June 2011 called the Renewable Heat Incentive is putting forward £15 million to provide financial help towards the cost of installation of renewable heating systems in residential properties.

How much will I save using solar heating?

How much you save using solar heating depends on the efficiency of the system. On average the costs of installation should be re-cooperated in 7 to 10 years. Solar panels could provide over a third of your hot water, cut your heating bills by £40 a year and reduce your carbon emissions by 330kg a year in a gas-heated property.

Is my property suitable for solar heating?

In order to install solar panels you will need around 3-4 metres squared of un-shaded, south facing roof. The more sunlight an area gets, the more energy can be produced. Most properties do not require planning permission to install solar panels but you should check if you are in a listed building or conservation area. In order to be suitable you will also need a hot water tank as solar heating can usually be incorporated easily into an existing gas boiler system.

Solar panels are a cost effective way of fulfilling some of your hot water needs through a renewable source, incorporating solar heating into your existing heat system will significantly reduce your property’s carbon emissions and cut down the cost of your bills.