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FAQs for Solar Panels . Domestic Solar UK . Solar Panel Technology . Domestic Solar . Solar for Homes . Domestic Solar Panels UK

Solar panels have never been a viable option, until now
Seven years from now, we’ll be importing 75% of UK gas

How can solar panels work in the UK ?

The UK receives 60% of the solar energy compared with the equator. This is equivalent to 1000 power stations. Each square metre of the UK receives between 900 – 1200kwh of solar radiation each year.

Why solar, not wind?

Wind is great on larger scale installations, on coastal area's or wind swept hills, but your average urban location means performance and efficiency is low. You need a very large turbine to make a sizeable dent in the average domestic energy bill, and has been confirmed by government testing. Urban locations do not have the correct wind speeds...Read More >

"The likely output of a micro-wind turbine on a pitched roof house in a large city such as Manchester would be less than 150kWh a year; 2% of the energy consumption of an average house"

Is there enough sunshine in the UK for solar energy ?

Compared to the equator, the UK receives approximately 55% of the energy received there, ample to operate an efficient solar panel system if you have a south facing roof, even in the north of Scotland.

Can solar panels can add value to my property ?

Yes, your house value will increase, possibly covering the costs, if not more. A recent survey by MORI found people are willing to pay up to £10,000 more for a home built to high environmental standards, and estate agents are now de-valuing homes for sale with poor 'Energy Assessments' results, due to HIPS reports.

How long does solar technology last ?

Solar technology has been around for a century now, but evacuated tubes have a longevity of around 30+ years. PV solar last much longer, but PV solar panels installed in the 60's is still working.

Will solar panels replace my energy bills fully ?

No, you will not be able to totally replace your current energy or power supply to the use of solar energy, but you could get close with a realistic budget and the implementation of different energy sources such as a bio mass and solar panel combination.

There are two types of solar panel, which is best ?

Both do very different jobs, with different price tags, (hot water heating) evacuated tubes solar panels and PV systems solar panels (electric generating).

This varies per domestic household, but it basically depends on which type of energy cost you want to reduce. A solar panels system is basically an investment into your families future.

A good tip when buying water heating solar (thermal) is: Generally, thermal solar panels which require two or multiple panels, are imported, and were not designed for our UK climate.

Do I need planning permission?

No, unless you live in a listed building.

Why choose Heat my Home ?

As an independent website, we can pick and choose the best and latest solar technology which comes along. Unlike other solar companies which are purveyors of their own or out dated systems.

Evacuated tubes

Can solar tubes be used to run my central heating ?

The biggest mis-conception of solar by the public, is that it can do your central heating! Only washing and bathing purposes. Be very wary, of any solar salesmen who tell you any diffrent.

On the plus side, solar tubes extend the life span of your boiler dramatically, because for most of the year, your boiler will not be used at all, once solar is fitted.

Is my current set-up compatible with 'direct' solar?

1. If you have a traditional ‘gravity feed’ system, with a southerly facing roof space, then you home is ideal.
2. If you have a ‘vented’  thermal store with twin/solar coil, then your home is suitable too.
3. If you have a Combi Boiler, you will need to replace this at the end of it’s life for a condensing boiler with ‘vented’ tank.
4. If you have a ‘high pressure’ system with gauges, then you will need to replace this with a ‘vented’ tank.

Why is 'direct' solar heating best ?

1. No heat loss through heat exchangers, giving better efficiency
2. A more simplistic installation
3. Less things to go wrong, and no ongoing maintenance needed. Fit and forget!
4. Your twin or solar coil can be used for other heating purposes.

How much conventional energy will It produce?

Independently tested, our solar delivered 900 - 1400 kWh (3.6 GJ) of clean green energy (depending on geographical location) as solar hot water a year in UK. It saves far more bought-in energy. Peak output is 1.6 kW, similar to an immersion heater.

(Performance varies per domestic household, depending on your micro climate and geographical location, but on average, an evacuated tube system will supply all your hot water needs from March - September, and most, but not all, in the winter months)

What temperatures can I expect from a solar hot water ?

On sunny days possible temperatures of possibly upto 75C can be achieved (45C hot enough for bathing), but this is dependent on your micro climate and geographical position within the UK and solar panel system you choose. On cloudy days this will still reduce the need to use your boiler, thus extending your boiler life too.

How easy are the DIY solar tube kits to install ?

Basic plumbing knowledge is essential, but with these skills and a head for heights, installation is not hard... Learn about DIY evacuated tubes >>

Do I get hot water during the winter months ?

Even during cloudy days in winter you can expect some gain, on wintery sunny days, although evacuated tubes are designed to run alongside conventional heating methods.

I have a gravity feed with a cold tank in the attic ?

Yes, 'direct' solar is compatible for systems over 120 Litre

I have a thermal store (torrent) ?

Yes, 'direct' solar is compatible for systems over 120 Litre

I have a high pressure system ?

Solar hot water is NOT compatible with these systems, sorry

Can solar panels be added to flat roofs ?

On an "A" frame to angle the panels at 20 and 50 degrees to horizontal.

Is there any ongoing maintenance needed ?

Unlike antifreeze based systems, NO 'direct' solar does not require any maintenance. The system is kept clean by weathering, just like velux windows. Simply fit and forget.

PV solar panels

Will PV solar produce all my electric needs?

In most cases, no, but this depends on you energy consumption rate and size of system installed.

What does on-grid mean ?

When PV is producing electricity, and you are not using it, then it will automatically feed the electricity out to the National Grid, were your will be credited for your contribution.

How much energy can PV solar panels produce ?

Each case is different, but a PV system installation would generate approximately 750kWh/year per kWp installed. So a typical 2 kWp system would generate around 1500 kWh per year. A hot water solar panel at Peak output is 1.6 kW, similar to an immersion heater, or 1,500kWh and 2,000kWh annually.

Does PV have to be installed on our roof ?

No. PV can easily be installed on frames within your boundaries, or out buildings with suitable roofing.

How much roof space will I need ?

Please CLICK HERE, for panel installation dimensions.

Is there any ongoing maintenance needed ?

No, Just like velux windows, they are kept clean by weathering. Simply fit and forget.

General FAQ's

Green energy tariffs, good or bad ?

If you live near a coal fired power station, then your electricity will be powered by coal, regardless of your desicion to buy a green tariff. Many energy companies, purpoting to be green are not. An example is Npower, who operate the most coal fired generators, but still advertise with a 'green wash'.

We can only support 'Ecotricity' because it pledges to spend all its profits on building new sources of renewable energy.

Friends of the Earth commented ‘Most suppliers have simply established green tariffs and then proportioned in some arbitrary way renewables to their green consumers. Their purchases ought to result in an additional pull on renewables, but that’s not happening. We have been calling for an independent auditing of these schemes.’

Why don't you offer finance deals ?

As an ethical business, it would not be right for us, to put you into further debt for our products. Yes solar saves you energy, but the benefits would be taken away, if you start paying silly finance deals.

Companies giving our solar industry a bad name

Be careful here, sadly, their are some companies in the UK, who are giving our solar industry a bad name, by blatenly over charging for installed solar systems. As a general guide, installed hot water heating solar should range from about £3,500 - £5,000, depending on type of system.

Paying more, should get your alarm bells ringing. Get tubes Quote >>

Another common complaint of certain hot water solar companies, are also charging maintenance within their initial costs, but neglect there customers once installed. Although we 'cannot' name and shame these companies, they are usually the one's over charging, as stated above.

Had a bad experience with a solar panel company? Voice your complaints here >>

Some companies offering large discounts, or quick 'special offer' discounts from there original price. Common sense dictates, there original price must be vastly over priced, but most credible solar panel companies work within budgets, so BIG discounts, beware!

PV solar costs depend on system sizing, so costs vary vastly. Get PV Quote >>

What about payback ?

We are often asked, “what is the payback period?” for a solar panels.

Well, first and foremost it does have a payback. If you buy coal, oil or electricity or gas the supplier does not offer you any pay back at all. No matter how much gas, oil or coal you buy and no matter how long you buy it for, you never get your money back. You have to service, maintain and renew you fuel burning equipment. Similarly the electricity company never offers you a payback

Various government bodies define sometimes payback as the annual fuel bill savings divided by the capital cost.  This is simply inaccurate misleading and wrong.

If you take a proper view of payback, you have to factor in future energy increases, take account of inflation, look at the savings in boiler servicing and the ability to make a boiler last longer. Doing the sums properly most thermal systems offer a pay back of between 6 and 15 years, depending on the fossil fuel displaced, the future fuel inflation factor you use and the amount of hot water you use.

If the product is built as part of the housing infrastructure it will last for around 30 years with minimal maintenance. If the product is built into a home in the course of construction the pay back period declines rapidly.

Although payback is one way of looking at the cost it is perhaps more accurate to look at the return on your investment that solar panels offer. Typically the financial savings of a good solar thermal system will be equivalent to a tax free return on investment of between 8% and 12%.

Recently HIPS reports have for the first time in history, allowed homes with renewable energy including solar panels, to be valued higher, than those without, so solar installations have now become a real financial investment opportunity, considering there longevity or and long life spans (25 - 30 years), against the higher UK energy pricing policies, and the ever increasing costs of peak oil.

Or as Mr and Mrs Jones from Swansea, says:

"Buying a solar panel is giving back to the earth, because our planet,
has provided so much within our lives, now that's payback."

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