Although solar thermal systems do not make sufficient savings in the cost of heating water to cover the costs of installation a generous government payment for the first three years of use, called the RHI (Renewable Heat Incentive), will more than recoup the cost. This applies to all equipment installed after 15th June 2009 provided that the installer was MCS certified (Microrenewable Certification Scheme, the accreditation scheme for approved installers) and a certificate was issued.
Solar thermal systems are only suitable for providing hot water during the winter months, when heating is needed, the levels of solar radiation are too small to make any contribution to heating systems.
When replacing or upgrading the heating system is a good time to consider installing solar thermal.
As solar thermal systems need to be able to store the hot water produced they are best with a regular/system boiler which has a conventional hot water cylinder, though they can be used in combination with most modern combi boilers. Hot water cylinders today are highly insulated and usually work with mains pressure water (called un-vented cylinders) to provide hot water at a good pressure. The cylinders will keep water hot enough to use for up to 3 days.
Solar thermal systems come in two basic forms, flat panels or evacuated tubes. The evacuated tubes are more efficient, so a smaller area is needed but the flat panels are supposed to perform better in cold weather. The cost works out about the same. Systems need to be serviced regularly and this is especially important with flat panels which build up bubbles of gas when they get very hot.
With the correct setting of the controls and back up hot water heating from the gas boiler or other source, a solar thermal system should be capable of supplying all the hot water needs from May to September, and some through the rest of the year, providing 70% of total hot water use. To achieve this the hot water cylinder needs to be large enough to store enough hot water and sufficient area of panels (2 square meters of flat panel in a small property, 4 square meters of flat panel in a larger house or around three quarters of this in evacuated tubes) must be available.
The free hot water does not seem to make people profligate in use of the water, rather it seems to generate a desire to conserve the useful free resource.
Occasionally in the summer and for all of the coldest months of the year there will be a need to top up the water heating from the conventional heating system (The cylinders are described as having two 'coils', one for the solar thermal and one for the normal heating). This should be timed to come on only after the sun has had its chance to heat the water as much as possible, in the early evening. Many people will set timers for hot water for longer than necessary, however ten minutes a day in summer and twenty in winter should provide enough hot water for a small family.
Make sure that any electric showers are replaced by mixer showers to make best use of hot water. Mixer showers cost much less to run than an electric shower. It is also cheaper to use the bath rather than use an electric shower.
Try to use a local installer. They are likely to be cheaper (they're not paying for national advertising), more experienced and be around when you need advice or servicing later. All installers should be MCS registered and get several quotes as this is an expensive item that needs to keep working for many years.
Solar thermal systems are only suitable for providing hot water during the winter months, when heating is needed, the levels of solar radiation are too small to make any contribution to heating systems.
When replacing or upgrading the heating system is a good time to consider installing solar thermal.
As solar thermal systems need to be able to store the hot water produced they are best with a regular/system boiler which has a conventional hot water cylinder, though they can be used in combination with most modern combi boilers. Hot water cylinders today are highly insulated and usually work with mains pressure water (called un-vented cylinders) to provide hot water at a good pressure. The cylinders will keep water hot enough to use for up to 3 days.
Solar thermal systems come in two basic forms, flat panels or evacuated tubes. The evacuated tubes are more efficient, so a smaller area is needed but the flat panels are supposed to perform better in cold weather. The cost works out about the same. Systems need to be serviced regularly and this is especially important with flat panels which build up bubbles of gas when they get very hot.
With the correct setting of the controls and back up hot water heating from the gas boiler or other source, a solar thermal system should be capable of supplying all the hot water needs from May to September, and some through the rest of the year, providing 70% of total hot water use. To achieve this the hot water cylinder needs to be large enough to store enough hot water and sufficient area of panels (2 square meters of flat panel in a small property, 4 square meters of flat panel in a larger house or around three quarters of this in evacuated tubes) must be available.
The free hot water does not seem to make people profligate in use of the water, rather it seems to generate a desire to conserve the useful free resource.
Occasionally in the summer and for all of the coldest months of the year there will be a need to top up the water heating from the conventional heating system (The cylinders are described as having two 'coils', one for the solar thermal and one for the normal heating). This should be timed to come on only after the sun has had its chance to heat the water as much as possible, in the early evening. Many people will set timers for hot water for longer than necessary, however ten minutes a day in summer and twenty in winter should provide enough hot water for a small family.
Make sure that any electric showers are replaced by mixer showers to make best use of hot water. Mixer showers cost much less to run than an electric shower. It is also cheaper to use the bath rather than use an electric shower.
Try to use a local installer. They are likely to be cheaper (they're not paying for national advertising), more experienced and be around when you need advice or servicing later. All installers should be MCS registered and get several quotes as this is an expensive item that needs to keep working for many years.