Solar Heating System Installers

Solar water heating systems use energy from the sun to provide hot water for the home. They usually work alongside another heating system, such as a boiler or immersion heater, which can provide additional hot water when solar energy is limited. Solar water heating can help reduce energy use, hot water costs and the property's carbon footprint.

Solar water heating systems use panels, known as solar collectors, to absorb heat from the sun. This heat is transferred to fluid running through the collectors and then used to warm water stored in a hot water cylinder. The two main types of solar water heating collectors are evacuated tubes and flat plate collectors. These can usually be mounted on the roof or incorporated into the roof itself.

Solar Heating Installation Costs

A typical solar water heating system costs around £5,300 to install, although the final price will depend on the type and size of the system. Solar thermal systems can provide a large proportion of a home's hot water during the summer but considerably less during winter. On average, a system may provide roughly half of a household's annual hot water requirements.

Solar water heating systems generally require relatively little maintenance. It is advisable to follow the maintenance instructions provided with your system and have it checked periodically. A more thorough system check, including replacing or refreshing the heat-transfer fluid, is generally recommended around every five years.

Solar Water Heating Savings

Solar water heating can reduce the amount of energy needed to produce hot water because sunlight is free. The amount you save will depend on factors such as your existing heating system, hot water usage, energy prices and the performance of the solar thermal system.

The Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive is no longer available to new applicants, so homeowners should not rely on previous RHI payments when calculating the potential financial benefits of installing solar water heating. Other local or regional funding schemes may occasionally be available, so it is worth checking current funding options before arranging an installation.

Is Solar Water Heating Right for Your Home?

You will usually need around five square metres of suitable space for solar collectors. A south-facing roof can provide suitable conditions, although roofs facing between east and west may also be suitable as long as they receive direct sunlight for a significant part of the day. Solar collectors can also be fitted to a frame, wall or suitable ground-mounted structure.

You will normally need space for a suitable hot water cylinder. Conventional boiler systems that already use a hot water cylinder can often be combined with solar water heating, although the existing cylinder may need to be replaced with one designed for solar thermal systems.

Properties with combination boilers may require more extensive changes because most combi boilers do not use a separate hot water cylinder. An installer can assess your existing heating system and explain what changes may be required.

Choosing a Solar Water Heating Installer

To compare solar water heating installation quotes, use the "post your job" button on this page and provide brief details of your project. Local installers can then get in touch with quotes for the work.

Compare several written quotes and check what is included, such as the collectors, hot water cylinder, controls, pipework and installation. You can also check whether the installer is MCS certified for solar thermal installations. Review the details of each quote before deciding which installer is suitable for your project.