Install A Heating Solar System Today
Innovative technology to use solar energy to heat your home and water
Go solar, generate free energy and and take charge of your bills
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0% VAT Installation
Take advantage of 0% VAT deal to make your installation even more affordable
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Price Match
We will always price match with any of the competition so you know you are getting the best deal
7
7 Year Finance
Pay for your solar setup with manageable payments over a 7-year period
17
17 Year FREE Maintenance
All our solar installations come with our industry leading 17-year FREE maintenance plan worth £3600 giving you peace of mind
26
26 Year Panel Warranty
We’ve got your covered – all our DMEGC solar panels come with a huge 26 year warranty
12
12 Year Battery Warranty
Our Greenlinx Solar Batteries come with 12 year warranty so you can stay worry free
0%
0% VAT Installation
Take advantage of 0% VAT deal to make your installation even more affordable
£
Price Match
We will always price match with any of the competition so you know you are getting the best deal
7
7 Year Finance
Pay for your solar setup with manageable payments over a 7-year period
17
17 Year FREE Maintenance
All our solar installations come with our industry leading 17-year FREE maintenance plan worth £3600 giving you peace of mind
26
26 Year Panel Warranty
We’ve got your covered – all our DMEGC solar panels come with a huge 26 year warranty
12
12 Year Battery Warranty
Our Greenlinx Solar Batteries come with 12 year warranty so you can stay worry free
Why Choose A Solar Heating System?
A solar heating system is a terrific way to take advantage of the sun’s renewable energy to fight climate change. It’ll also help you save money on your utility bills at the same time. It’s estimated that this natural source of energy can provide over half of your water-heating needs throughout the year.
We rounded up everything you need to know about using this innovative technology, from how they work to how much payback you’ll receive on your investment. So, keep reading to find out if solar heaters are something you should consider installing.
Heating Solar Systems: A Brief Overview
Interested in reducing your carbon footprint while still enjoying hot showers and central heating? Solar heaters can help you do just that!
Take a look.
Heating Solar Systems vs Solar Panels
Heating solar systems aren’t to be confused with traditional solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. The former is a system designed to supply your home with hot water or to heat your home via a central heating system.
With solar heaters, leftover energy is always stored away until needed.
On the other hand, PV solar cells are used to generate electricity directly fed into the home. Then, any extra power left over at the end of the day can be stored in a solar cell battery or fed into the National Grid.
The good news is that installers can now set up a heating solar system next to the standard solar panel array. Together, this dual system can generate more electricity, which is used to power the solar heating pump.
Heating Solar System Installation
According to the Energy Saving Trust (EST), solar heaters can supply between 60% and 90% of all your household heating needs during the summer. Even on cloudy or rainy days, the panels will still be able to absorb the sun’s radiation and convert it into energy.
Yet, you should expect it to drop to around 25% to 40% in the winter. This means you’ll still need to resort to the traditional methods of heating your home for at least half the time.
Nevertheless, solar heating panels installed on the roof of the average domestic home can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 400 kg annually.
The most ideal place to install solar heaters is on a south-facing pitched roof typically at an angle between 20 and 50 degrees. If the roof is flat or you’d prefer ground-mount heaters, installers can mount the array on an angled frame.
The entire setup will need around 2–5 square metres of space. In some cases, installers may also need additional space to position a water cylinder near the solar heating system.
The good news is that most residential solar water heating systems fall under the category of ‘permitted development’. In other words, they don’t require planning permits. The only exceptions are listed buildings, conservation areas, or national parks.
If you decide to work with ESE, we’ll offer a comprehensive service, including the following:
- Assess the feasibility of your project
- Conduct a site survey of your property
- Discuss your legal obligations and financial options
- Issue a formal quote
- Advise you on any potential grant applications or discounts available in your area
- Set up your solar heating system network
- Send an invoice for the completed project
- Issue a five or 10-year warranty
Types Of Solar Heat Systems
There are two types of solar heat systems: flat plate and evacuated tube collectors.
Flat Plate Collectors
In this type of solar heater, the water passes through the entire plate where it’s heated before flowing back to the cylinder. Flat plates are easier to install because they can be easily integrated into the roof fabric and tend to have a low profile.
They’re also less of a hassle to manage and maintain.
Evacuated Tube Collectors
This type consists of a group of glass tubes fitted with a copper conductor filled with liquid and placed on the roof tiles. When the liquid heats up, it expands and rises to the top part of the tube. This is when the heat from the liquid is transferred to the tubes, which then flow to the water tank in your home.
Because of their more complex design, evacuated tube collectors are more expensive to install and maintain. Yet, they’re more efficient at producing energy than flat-plate versions.
Get The Best Solar Deals With ESE
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- UKs #1 Rated Solar Installer
- Save up to 70% on energy
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- It takes less than 30 seconds!
Heating Solar System Uses
As mentioned above, solar heaters are used to provide central heating for your home and hot water.
Yet, most domestic boilers don’t have the capability to receive heat from solar panels. In this case, your installer will advise you to install an additional water tank or replace your old boiler.
There may be a third solution where you won’t need to replace or add. This solution is in the form of a package that you can plug into your old boiler. Once plugged in, this package ensures that the water tank receives feed from the heating solar system and works at full capacity.
Swimming pools are also another ideal application for solar heaters. Luckily, you can use your pool more frequently during the summer when the sun’s rays are at their strongest.
Heating Solar System Pros & Cons
Many in the UK are switching to solar water heating arrays because they offer quicker paybacks compared to standard PV panels. While the latter has a payback of around 20–30 years, the payback of a heating solar system can be between 7 and 15 years, which makes it a worthy investment.
That said, like all types of energy, they’re not without their faults. Below you’ll find a quick rundown of the good and the bad of installing a solar panel central heating system.
Pros
The first advantage is that solar heating systems provide you with a free source of hot water and heat. After the initial costs of installation, you’ll start to notice a dramatic drop in your electricity bills, thanks to the sun’s limitless supply of energy.
Plus, when installed right, these systems tend to be low-maintenance and easy to manage.
Luckily, there’s a pretty impressive number of heating solar system installers in the UK, just like ESE Group. So, you won’t have trouble finding a reputable company to set up your heating array.
Plus, they offer competitive prices, so make sure you do a bit of research to find the best offer. Make sure you look for companies with experience installing solar systems in general as well as having recognised plumbing and heating certifications, such as:
- APHC (Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors)
- CORGI (Council Registered Gas Installers)
- CIPHE (Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering)
Cons
The biggest downside of solar heaters is their high initial setup costs. On average, a standard heating solar system can cost anywhere between £3,000 and £5,000.
Another drawback is that you still need an immersion heater or traditional boiler to provide hot water when solar energy isn’t available and the stored supply has run out.
Heating Solar System Summary
Installing a heating solar system on your roof or property is a great way to cut back on your dependence on fossil fuels. The system provides a lot of advantages for your home and the environment. Yet, it also has a couple of downsides worth checking out.
So, are you ready to take the plunge? Contact ESE Group to see if a solar heating system is right for your household.
Get The Best Solar Deals With ESE
Enquire with us today and get your solar installed within 4 weeks!
- UKs #1 Rated Solar Installer
- Save up to 70% on energy
- Save 20% with VAT FREE Installs
- It takes less than 30 seconds!
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Heating Solar System FAQs
Some of the most common questions about heating solar systems are answered for you here…
Average homes will require anywhere between 17 and 21 solar cells to completely replace your utility bills with solar-powered energy. Yet, the actual number of panels depends on several factors, such as where your home is located. In addition, it depends on the specifications of the solar array you’re planning on installing.
For example, the entire region of South West England, as well as Cornwall, gets some of the highest amounts of full sunshine hours in all of the UK.
No, heating solar cells don’t work at night, but they store hot water in their tanks. So, if you want to take a shower at night, you’ll be using the supply of hot water that the solar heaters collect during the day.
Yes, fortunately, solar panels can produce energy all year even when it rains or snows. The cold temperatures boost the panels’ functionality as long as they’re not covered in any snow or debris.
However, you have to take into consideration that during winter, the sun is lower in the sky. This means that there are fewer hours of sunlight during the day, so solar panels have no choice but to generate less power output than in spring and summer.
Before making your decision, consider these four factors:
- The availability of a south-facing roof
- The type of your existing water heating system
- The average hot water usage for your household
- Your budget
