Learn about evacuated tubes also known as solar tubes for home and business. Find out about government grants and installers.
Specifications
Size: 2040 x 1000 x 80 mm.
Aperture Area: 2.15 m2.
Weight: 50 kg.
Absorption area: 2.73 m2.
Efficiency 95%.
Max pressure: 10 bar.
Standard pressure: 3 bar.
Roof, wall and free standing.
Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme
A window of opportunity - The Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme is a feed in tariff which pays a fixed amount per Kwh of heat generated. Those who install renewable heat equipment, such as solar heating panels and air/ground source heat pumps will benefit from this additional incentive payment.
Payments made on systems up to 20 KW and paid 8.5p per kWh produced even if you use it yourself which is guaranteed 20 years.
You can find your nearest MCS accredited solar installers by clicking on the blue 'get a quote' button.
Questions about solar tubes installations
The basics
Solar tubes are no longer viewed just as a green product. Most people installing solar panels today, do soto reduce dependence on expensive fossil fuels or as an investment opportunity which will earn and save them more money than keeping the money in the bank.
Why people install solar panels >>Are evacuated tubes suitable for my home?
Most homes are suitable, if you have a S/SE/SW or east/west facing roof space, then probably. Your internal plumbing will need to be checked for compatibility and this can be done through our free home survey and 'get a quote' service.
Check your homes orientation >>How can solar panels work in the UK?
The UK receives 60% of the solar radiation and ultimately energy compared with the equator. Each square metre of the UK receives between 900 1,300 kWh annually of solar radiation each year.
Developed for northern european climates, creating the best performing solar, even contributing on some cloudy days.
Solar radiation map of the UK >>Did you know: Solar panels can contribute to your home, even on cloudy days in our UK climate.
How exactly do solar tubes work?
The science bit - When solar radiation or solar energy hits an object, you me or a solar panel, the short-wave radiation is converted to long-wave radiation and this process creates heat.
1. Evacuated solar tubes heat up due to solar energy.
2. The solar controller controls a variable speed pump based on temperature outputs.
3. The circulation pump circulates a special fluid through the hot solar collector and trough a heat exchanger in your hot water cylinder, the heat is transferred to your cylinder.
4. It is then delivered to the cylinder/tank which heats.
5. System shuts down automatically when not in use, or when the collector temperature is lower than the cylinder.
6. Your solar collector will store up heat even on cloudy days, so when the controller detects useable heat it will start up again.
7. You now have lots of free hot water to use day or night.
8. Solar made easy...
There are 2 types of solar heating panels, what's best for me?
Yes, 1. Glazed flat panels, 2. Evacuated solar tubes. Usually a flat panels salesmen will say his system performs best and solar tubes salesmen will say the same. Independent testing has concluded that evacuated tubes perform best in the UK climate and flat panels closely second.
A third type of solar panel use unglazed plastic panels with rubber pipes. This system type was one of the lowest performing of the technologies tested.
Why is it important to update my hot water tank?
Very simply, old copper hot water tanks run very inefficiently after many years of use, lime-scale will reduce it even further. When installing solar tubes, it is important to install a modern more efficient tank to get the most out of your solar generated heat gain.
"Adding solar tubes to an old tank would be like converting your car
to LPG and running it on semi flat tyres"
How much will a solar tubes system cost?
The cost of a typical installation of a domestic evacuated tubes system depends on several factors. Contact us and our solar surveyors will provide you with a tailored quotation.
Solar tubes installation quotes >>Will solar contribute towards my central heating?
This depends on the type of set up you install. We would need to survey your home to see if our heating management system is suitable. In most cases, solar can contribute to your central heating using underfloor heating technology, but not all solar installation companies offer this technology.
How long will it take you to install my system?
Normally only a few hours in most cases.
Getting installed
1. If you can face the tubes roughly towards the sun. South, southwest or southeast roofs are ideal. Even east or west roofs offer 85% performance.
2. If your hot water cylinder is twin coiled. It does not matter if you don't as we can install a solar compatible and more efficient tank as part of your installation.
3. Listed buildings, conservation area homes, national parks may need consent. Please consult with your local planning officer.
How long will I be without water during installation?
Only 4 - 5 hours.
Do solar tubes work on cloudy days?
This rather depends on the type of solar panel technology installed and the density of cloud. Flat plate panels do not contribute as much as evacuted solar tubes in these conditions. In moderate cloud density solar energy can still be used. With very heavy dark dense cloud cover, probably not. Use your solar powered calculator out on a cloudy day and it will still work.
Will you need to change my hot-water cylinder?
No if your tank is solar compatible or has a twin coil unused. In most cases though it is recommended that you upgrade your hot water tank when installing solar panels or solar tubes to allow the system to work at its full capacity.
How much CO2 will my system save?
Around half a tonne each year. This is dependant on how much hot water you use and how you heat your water at present.
Did you know: Evacuated tubes generate heat all year round using direct and diffused sunlight.
Do we get enough sun in the UK to really make a difference?
Yes. Our evacuated tubes are designed for the UK climate; they use a thermos flask principle, which allows the inside of the solar vacuum tubes to get very hot regardless of the external air temperature.
Solar radiation map of the UK >>What water temperatures can I expect?
A good proportion of the year your water will be heated to above 60 deg C.
Is there a danger that the water could get too hot?
No. The system is designed to never reach above 85 deg C.
Does my roof have to face directly south?
South is the optimum and southeast and southwest are fine. Check your home...Quotes & suitability >
What makes your solar tubes better than your competitors'?
We know our solar tubes and flat solar tubes are the best because they have been shown to out perform any of our competitors products. European engineered quality with full European Solar Keymark accreditation.
Can I install solar myself?
In most cases no, however if you have Part P electrical and plumbing skills, then it may be possible to install in a diy capacity. New diy solar water heating panels and evacuated tubes self-install kits are available.
DIY installing can work out much cheaper, however, you will not be eligable for the generous feed in tariffs schemes currently available. All eligable solar installations must be carried out and certified by an accredited MCS solar installer to qualify.
Learn about diy evacuated tubes kits >>How long does a heating solar system last?
This depends on the type of quality. With a good quality system, it will easily last 25-30+ years, but a poor quality system may only last a couple of years.
Solar installations will get cheaper with time, won't they?
Unfortunately the indicators are that price's will rise.
As a recent Financial Times article points out, the cost of energy, resources, materials and manufacturing is rising globally. It's likely that solar panels will never be cheaper than they are now as future panels and installations will consist of inputs {energy + materials} that cost far more than today.
Although we do our best to keep prices reasonable, their are customers we spoke to 2 years ago who wished they had bought back then.
Do you send salesmen round to my house?
Many solar companies claim to send surveyors to your home, but really they are only salesmen. We properly survey your home and provide you with a tailored quotation based on your individual homes specifications.
Our trained technicians are just that, technicians. The complexity of making sure homes are suitable require experience. Our technicians however, will be happy to sit with you and explain the technologies to you.
Miscellaneous
Commercial & business installations
Evacuated solar tubes and solar panels in general are becoming an essential necessity for small and large business's alike. If you use hot water during your daily operations, then including solar into your business plan can reward you with lower running costs in an expensive world of energy.
Commercial solar panels installations >>Why solar panels?
The golden age of cheap energy is over. We must all take responsibilty for reducing our dependence on this increasingly expensive fossil fuels as they continue to rise further down the timeline.
"When you purchase our evacuated tubes heating system, you can be sure that you are buying a product of the highest possible quality and installed only by accredited installation teams. Installing solar tubes collectors will provide hassle-free, low-maintenance service and allow you to enjoy the benefits of solar energy for many years."
Life and longevity
As with anything in life, you get what you pay for, so a cheap option will undoubtedly will be a false economy were longevity and performance is concerned.
Our MCS accredited solar tubes come with a performance lifespan of 25 years plus.
All our MCS solar installers and REAL scheme members.
The Mercedes of solar panel technology,
that lasts longer than your mortgage
Solar panels quotes
Solar panels including installation quotes are as easy as 1, 2, 3.
Simply click on our 'Get a quote' button and arrange a FREE home survey and consultation appointment which should last around 1 hour. Appointments with questions and answers sessions may take longer.
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© Copyright Heat my Home 2004 - 2012
Expert & Author - Stuart Lovatt
With evacuated solar tubes, energy can be collected, harnessed & used.
