Solar Water Heating (thermal)

Solar Panels fitted on your roof will collect heat from the sun and use it to heat your hot water. This can provide up to 70% of all your household water.

What can a Solor Thermal Installation do for you?

• Your energy bills will decrease, as once the panels are installed, they are powered for free by the Sun!
• Eco – friendly: for the average domestic system you can reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by 400kg per year.
• Compliments Standard Heating Systems: your boiler can provide any additional heat required.
• We use highly effecient evacuated tube panels. These last for up to 30 years and require little maintainence.

Flat plate of evacuated tube panels are available. Evacuated tube panels are more efficient but can cost more to install. Flat plates heat the water across the complete surface of the plate, evacuated tube conducts heat to the top of the tube with a copper conductor.

Planning is only required if you are in a conservation area of if the panels are large. Echome can check this with the planning agency for you.”

Grants are available locally and nationally to offset part of the £2000 – £5000 typical cost of a domestic solar heating system. Local grants are often also available.  Your system installer will be able to advise of grants available in your area.

Unsecured interest-free Energy-Efficiency loans of up to £100,000 are available for SME’s through the Carbon Trust for when you replace or upgrade your existing equipment with a more energy-efficient version to fund projects such as lighting, boilers or insulation.