Solar water heating is one of those innovative uses of the energy from the sun that has been around for thousands of years and it is a technology that is currently experiencing a renaissance in the modern world as we look to reduce our energy consumption.
The basic principle of solar water heating is very simple: solar heating systems take the sun’s free heat and use it to warm up domestic water.
This will give a house a supply or warm water that can then be boosted by a conventional immersion heater of boiler to increase the heat, or to provide a supply of water when there is no solar energy available.
Most solar heating systems will use solar panels, known as collectors that are installed on the roof of the house, to collect heat and warm the water. These collectors are normally made of either flat plate collectors or evacuated tubes. The advantages of this system are obvious; you will have a free supply of hot water throughout the year (although you will have to heat that water a bit more in winter using the immersion or boiler), your energy bills and hot water bills will be significantly reduced and lastly, you will be reducing your carbon footprint and doing your bit for future generations.
Most solar heating systems don’t need planning permission of any kind, so if you’re thinking about installing one, why not have a read through some of our guides and articles and then have a look in our directory for an installer in your area.
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