What Is Solar Thermal Heating How Does It Work

Solar thermal panels are one of the most cost effective ways of heating your water. The latest thermal panels are now more effective than ever and can provide over 70-80% of your total hot water requirements. In fact for 9 months of the year certain thermal systems can provide all of your hot water needs and for the other 3 months they just need a little top up from your existing heating method.

A thermal system comprises of collection plates on your roof which absorb the energy from the sun and transfers this into your hot water tank either via heat exchangers or direct transfer, where it is stored until you need it.

Abbey are specialists in thermal renewable technologies and have over 20 years experience within the energy consultancy field.

Abbey Solar Technologies only install MCS approved thermal systems so that your thermal hot water system will be eligible for the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Government subsidy due to be launched in 2013.

There may still be interim payments available now for installation – contact us for details

How solar thermal works

A thermal system comprises of collection plates on your roof which absorb the energy from the sun and transfers this into your hot water tank either via heat exchangers or direct transfer, where it is stored until you need it.

The latest thermal panels are now more effective than ever and can provide over 70-80% of your total hot water requirements. In fact for 9 months of the year certain thermal systems can provide all you hot water needs and for the other 3 months they just need a little top up from your existing heating method.

There is still a need to have a back up water heating arrangement and this is usually your existing water heating method or an electric element in your tank. Some of the more modern combination boilers can be used as well. If you have a combination boiler and solar PV fitted we can install a combined air source heat pump/water tank which will then have the capability of providing free hot water all year round. Some additional plumbing work would be required but it means you can have power showers fitted as well without having to change your boiler.

Most systems are made up of collector plates, hot water tank, a pump for the transfer fluid and a controller. Some of the newer systems heat the water directly from your tank without the need for Glycol. There are two types of collector plates; flat plate collectors and evacuated tube collectors. Evacuated tube collectors are the most efficient type and these are the ones we would recommend to maximise your return. These can be mounted in almost any orientation from flat to vertical. South facing is obviously best but east and west roofs still perform well.

Solar thermal systems are low maintenance and will save you money year after year and compared to solar PV and air/ground source heat pumps are relatively inexpensive. A typical system will cost between £3800 and £5200 and how much you save will depend on your life style. At the moment there is a small grant available under the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme. Later on in the year there will be an announcement of the yearly grant that will be paid similar to the Solar PV grants. Systems that are installed now will be eligible for the grants which will last for 20 years and will more than cover the cost of installation over time.

If you would like some further information or a visit from one of our consultants then please contact us. If you identify your house on our property locator Ping your roof top right of page and we can give you're a rough estimate of cost.