Solar Thermal Heating Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Dyson INsulations?
Dyson Insulations are a leading national installer of insulation, heating solutions and renewable technologies. With depots around the country, we provide national coverage for our services.
Why choose Dyson Insulations?
Here at Dyson Insulations, we set the standards. We are dedicated to providing an excellent service to our customers.
We guarantee our customers an impeccable service from start to finish. From the moment we take your enquiry to the completion of your installation and beyond.
Why install a solar water system?
Installing a solar water heating system has considerable environmental benefits and reduces carbon dioxide emissions caused by burning fossil fuels. It can save you money as well as being a good way of making your home more environmentally friendly.
How much does a solar hot water system cost to install?
As a rough guide you would expect to pay anywhere from £3,500 upwards depending on the size of your home and your hot water demands.
Does the system only work on sunny days?
No the solar panel collectors located on your roof do not need direct sunlight to operate, they work on natural daylight (diffused radiation). It is a common misconception that solar water heating is ineffective in the UK for climatic reasons, whilst it is clearly not as effective as it would be say in Spain, a good modern system will make a significant contribution to your hot water demands. For example a wee-designed system should provide 50-75% of annual domestic hot water requirements.
What happens when it’s cold, cloudy, raining or in fact snowing?
It will still work in much colder temperatures than we experience in the UK. As for when it is cloudy, raining or snowing, because the system uses diffused radiation as well as direct sunlight the system will continue to work. The only time it may not work is if the panels are covered in a layer of snow for any length of time.
How much hot water will they provide?
A well designed system should provide most of the hot water needs of an average household for the sunniest four or five months of the year. The rest of the time they will contribute to the overall requirements, so typically between 50 and 75% of the hot water demand can be met by a solar hot water system.
How many panels do I need?
Generally speaking you will need about 1 square metre of panels per person, and approx 50 litres of cylinder storage per person.
How will using solar energy help the environment?
A standard size house in the UK using a solar thermal system would save in the region of half a tonne of Co2 emissions per year. Multiply this by the millions of houses in the UK and this would result in a massive improvement to the environment making the world a better place for future generations.
What happens when it’s cold, cloudy, raining or in fact snowing?
It will still work in much colder temperatures than we experience in the UK, as for when it cloudy, raining or snowing because the system used diffused radiation as well as direct sunlight the system will continue to work. The only time it may not work is if the panels are covered in a layer of snow for any length of time.
How much hot water will they provide?
A well designed system should provide most of the hot water needs of an average household for the sunniest four or five months of the year. The rest of the time they will contribute to the overall requirements, so typically between 50 and 75% of the hot water demand can be met by a solar hot water system.
How many panels do I need?
Generally speaking you will need about 1 square metre of panels per person, and approx 50 litres of cylinder storage per person.
How will using solar energy help the environment?
A standard size house in the UK using a solar thermal system would save in the region of half a tonne of Co2 emissions per year. Multiply this by the millions of houses in the UK and this would result in a massive improvement to the environment making the world a better place for future generations.
