FAQ's
Solar, air and ground water heating is a new development and people often have common questions regarding what it is and how it works. Below we have a range of frequently asked questions that might help you. If you need further information, please feel free to call us.
What is sustainable energy?
Sustainable energy is best thought of as energy which can be replenished within a human lifetime and which causes no long-term damages to the environment. Solar energy, wind energy and geothermal energy, amongst others, are all self-sustaining. They all have sources that cannot be depleted. Extended use of these energy sources aids the conservation of other non-renewable energy sources such as fossil fuels.
How does solar technology work?
The idea behind technologies which use solar energy is to harness the freely available rays from the sun in a useful form.
The technology used for solar water heating is simple and effective. The basic principle uses an absorber plate which is heated by the sun’s rays. This heat is collected in a transfer liquid which is then used in a heat exchanger to heat water
How many solar panels will I need?
The number of solar panels needed relates to the size of the solar cylinder (immersion heater), which in turn is dependent on:
- the number of people in the household
- the amount of hot water required daily for baths, showers etc
- number of panels may also depend on available roof space
Typically, a home with a family of four will need two solar collector panels.
What if there is no sun or it is a cloudy day?
Special coatings are available on the adsorber plates which allow the collector to absorb energy from diffused as well as direct sunlight. This means the panel can still yield results on days when there are clouds in the sky.
How much does a Solar Water Heating cost?
The cost of a Solar Water Heating solution will depend entirely on the size of your house and your particular requirements. However, in general the average house with three panels will cost somewhere in the region of £4500-£5000. Installation will take approximately three days.
What is the Code For Sustainable Homes?
Introduced in 2006, the Code for Sustainable Homes is part of the growing body of legislation aimed at reducing CO2 emissions. Using a rating system of one to six stars to depict the overall sustainable performance of a house, with one star being above the standard of the current Building Regulations.
Do I need planning permission for solar panels?
From 6th April 2008 new Government legislation rules that, unless within a conservation area or on a listed building, the installation will not require planning permission and will be classed as a permitted development.
Building Control supervision may be required for some types of roof, particularly where load-bearing capacity is in question or where considerable ageing of structure is evident.
Do I need planning permission for Air To Water systems?
Currently, your local authority must be consulted regarding planning permission for air source heat pumps. More information is available on the Energy Saving Trust’s website.
Is there any government funding available?
The Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR), formerly known as the DTI, is funding an initiative called the Low Carbon Buildings Programme which entitles home owners and not-for-profit organisations to financial help with a solar system when installed by an approved installer.
Do I have to pay VAT for installing solar panels?
The VAT on solar systems varies depending on who is installing it. DIY solar systems carry 17.5% VAT. A system which is installed by a professional installer carries 5% VAT. You can find out more at www.hm-treasury.gov.uk.
Do I still need a boiler?
Solar heating on a normal domestic scale in the UK will provide around 50-70% of the average annual household hot water requirements. Although the system may provide most of the hot water required in summer, the winter results, due to lower intensity of the sun and the shorter daylight hours, will be reduced. As such the householder will need a boiler (or suitable alternative) to make up the difference in domestic hot water requirement and for central heating of the house.
Do I need to have a particular type of roof for Solar installation?
In the UK the best orientation for solar panels is facing due south and tilted at around 35 degrees from the horizontal. The gains available will reduce as the orientation moves away from due south.
A variety of brackets and frames are available for solar systems in order to suit different types of roof (pitched and flat) and also different types of roof tiles
.