Solar hot water Mr Pym supplies and installs thermal solar panels, normally consisting of evacuated tubes, linked to new a solar-specific hot water cylinder. Sometimes and existing cylinder can be re-used by adding an external heat exchanger.Our systems are sized to provide very hot water, so we normally recommend a blending valve to make sure people don't get scalded. It's often necessary to include a heat-leak mechanism as well. We have an installation method which ensures the roof's integrity, by using slated-in or roofed-in panel brackets and ducting, rather than drilling through the roof. If you have a combi boiler, a solar system can still be made to work. It takes a bit more plumbing and slightly more complicated controls. How well do solar hot water systems work?Some of our clients find that they do not need any form of backup for their hot water supply from March to October. But we can't give you an exact answer - the weather has a major part to play, after all, and if your panels are shaded for some of the day, they won't work as well as an unshaded system. To get an idea of the amount of energy that is available to capture, take a look at the Met Office website, or try Apricus: http://www.apricus.com/html/insolation_levels_europe.htm If you're sceptical about the value of a system, ask yourself: "How long do I intend to be in this house?" If you see your house as a long-term place to live, solar hot water makes sense. One way or another, solar energy seems certain to become the norm rather than the exception. If you would like a price for a systemGive us a call. The cost varies depending on the nature of the building and your existing hot water system. We normally install panels from Navitron: http://www.navitron.org.uk/ |