Solar Heating
10 July 2019
Solar heating technologies turn sunlight into heat.
Solar heating panels or solar collectors are devices that are mounted on to your roof to absorb the sun’s heat and use it to heat up water, stored in a cylinder. The liquid flowing through the panels is a mix of water and antifreeze. This technology is great for space and water heating. They are a popular solution for swimming pool heating.
The benefits of installing Solar Heating
- Reduce your electricity bills.
- Cut your carbon footprint.
- You could earn income through the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)
Maintaining a Solar Heating system
Maintenance costs for solar water heating systems are generally very low.
Most solar water heating systems come with a five-year or ten-year warranty and require little maintenance.
I’m interested in installing a Solar Heating system, what should I do next?
Search for an MCS certified Installer using our directory of approved installers.
MCS is a mark of quality. Using an MCS certified installer ensures that equipment meets good standards of performance and that installers are technically safe and competent.
Make a decision based on three quotes. Trust your instincts and go with a good value quote with an installer you feel you can trust.
As with solar photovoltaic cells, solar heating technologies require sunlight, so ideally you would install the technology on a south-facing roof that receives sunlight for most of the day. You don’t need planning permission to install a solar thermal system unless you live in a listed building. If you live in a listed building please note the restrictions.
You may need a new hot water tank to store the hot water produced by your system. If you have an older hot water tank linked to an existing boiler then it is likely that you will need a new tank.