Is solar thermal worth it in the UK?

It should be noted that solar thermal systems are not able to produce all of a property’s hot water demand. An average UK household requires between 3000kWh-5000kWh worth of water heating annually. A solar thermal system may provide between 40% and 60% of this.

Can you use solar thermal for heating?

Solar thermal systems transfer heat from sunlight to a heat transfer fluid which in turn heats domestic hot water and can preheat the central heating. Flat plates are cheaper but solar tubes are more efficient when the heat generated is to be used for domestic hot water.

Does solar water heating work in the UK?

Solar water heating (or solar thermal) uses sunlight to heat the water you’ll then use in your bathroom or kitchen. Even in the cloudy UK, solar energy can meet more than half of your annual hot water demand. The output of solar PV panels can be diverted to heat water, but solar water heating is more efficient.

What is the cost of a solar thermal system?

According to the Energy Savings Trust, the cost of solar thermal panels is between £4,000-£5,000 (including VAT at a reduced rate of 5%) for an average–sized system (3.6m2). That includes installation and all parts – such as your solar collectors, control panel, pipes and hot water tank.

Do solar thermal panels work in winter?

Yes, a solar thermal system does work in winter. For this reason you will likely need to rely more heavily on your boiler, immersion heater or other backup water heating system as the solar thermal installation will not be contributing the same ratio of your homes hot water.

Are there any problems with solar thermal UK?

Solar Thermal UK has installed and maintained every type of flat plate and vacuum tube solar hot water system for the last twenty years. No job is too big or too small. We guarantee to have your solar water heating system in full working order by the end of our visit. Contact us for a survey, report and full remedial works.

Which is the best solar hot water heating company in England?

All our remedial works are of the highest quality and we can swiftly fault find and repair either flat plate and vacuum tube solar hot water heating systems of any size and scale. The most experienced commercial solar thermal maintenance contractors in England.

Can a solar heating system be used in the UK?

Using a solar heating system to heat your radiators or your under-floor heating system is an option, but we would not recommended it in the UK. The relatively low levels of solar radiation available during the winter severely limit the contribution a sensibly sized solar thermal panel system can make.

How much hot water is produced by solar thermal in the UK?

An average solar thermal system in the UK covers around 40%-60% of the total hot water consumption of a household throughout the year. This includes hot water for showers, hot taps, etc. The specific amount of hot water that is produced depends on the time of year.