| The most popular
option is to install solar panels on domestic
roofs to reduce your energy bill in providing hot
water. There are two types of
solar collector:
- a flat plate
- an evacuated
tube collector
Generally the
latter system is more efficient but it is more
expensive. These systems work all year round,
even on cloudy days, because the energy is in the
light. They provide energy to heat the hot water
for your taps and will provide around 50% of this
requirement over a year. Hot water is roughly 1/3rd
of your total heating fuel requirement. As a rule
of thumb method of estimating annual savings you
should divide your energy bills by a 1/3rd
and then by ½.
The size of system
you need is based on: -
- The amount of hot
water you use.
- The direction your
house faces, at what angle and whether
there is any shade
- The pipe work that
needs to be installed.
- What your
requirements are.
- How big your house
is, how strong the roof is and is it in a
conservation area.
Finding
a Reputable Installer
You can find
reputable installers at Energy Savings Trust (EST) where they are listed by
region and status -
- ‘full’
for those with considerable experience
- ‘provisional’
for those with limited experience.
The Essex Energy
Efficiency Advice Centre- 0800 512 012 - can also
provide you with a list of installers they have
had contracts with.
As in most cases
it is always advisable to get estimates from at
least 2 installers.
A system is likely
to cost between £2,500 and £4,000 before any
grants, depending on the size of your house.
Among the
questions you may wish to ask your prospective
installers are: -
- How many panels you
require
- The location of
them
- The availability of
grants
- Do you need
planning permission? This is not normally
required unless you live in a
conservation area but you should let your
local planning department know of your
intentions.
- How many
installations they have done locally and
can you inspect any of them.
- What after care
service they offer and do they revisit to
check everything is working correctly.
- When can the job be
done - you will have 6 months from
notification that a grant is available
from EST for getting the work done
- What will be the
cost of installation ( net of grant )
- What guarantee do
they offer?
Grants
Grants are dependant on the
fulfilment of certain energy saving requirements,
which include loft insulation to the current
recommended levels before you are eligible for a solar
panel grant.
Grants are
available for installing solar heating and an
application form (The DTI
Low Carbon Buildings Programme Stream 1 -
Householder Grant Application Form ) can be obtained from the Energy Savings Trust (EST). You can only claim the
grant after the installation has been completed.
The grant is obtained by completing a further
form (the DTI Low
Carbon Buildings Programme Stream 1 Householder
Grant Claim Form ), again obtained from the EST. This
must be returned to them accompanied by a
Completion Certificate from your installer..
Installation
The installation
work could be completed within one day and will
consist of:
- The laying of
panels on your roof
- The installation of
a new same size hot water cylinder (with
two separate coils - the solar panels
heat up the bottom part of the cylinder)
- The placing of a
small panel in your airing cupboard or
just outside to give you readings of the
water temperature from each set of roof
mounted panels and within the bottom
compartment of your hat water cylinder.
Payback
You will not have
any early payback on your
investment - which is likely to cost about £3,500.00
(net of grant). Rather you might consider it as
your personal contribution to preventing runaway
climate change.
Also
Consider
It is also worth
considering Heat Pump solutions as these can be
used with solar / air as the low heat source.
Heat pumps need electric but for every 1kw hr
used you get 3 or 4 kw hrs output. Most solutions
have a hot water tank and can use the excess heat
to heat the home.
B&Q sell a system fully
installed for about £1500 as well as a wind
turbine for £1500. Both systems can be viewed at
local stores.
Personal
Experiences
- Alan Rogers installed
a DIY system in the seventies in Romford
which was 4m sq. Problems included
the water boiling when they did not
shower every day i.e. when we went on
holiday.
- Don Manhire
installed solar panels in September 2006,
so he has had very limited experience of
the benefits of this investment. However,
even in the weather conditions of early
Autumn (on clear, sunny days, but with a
low sun trajectory throughout most of the
day), water temperatures within the
panels can often and quickly reach 35
degrees C or more, while temperatures in
the lower part of the hot water cylinder
can reach the same level - certainly high
enough for a reasonably hot shower. But
we hope to get the main benefits from the
installed system during the spring and
summer months.
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