Frequently asked questions
- What
is solar water heating?
- Using ‘free energy’ from the
sun, heated water can be generated for your home, swimming
pool or spa. Solar energy is collected by a solar collector
panel, which is connected to your existing heating system
for generating heated water.
- Why
solar?
- We believe solar water heating offers
the best alternative in renewable energy with real payback
opportunities. By choosing our panels you will be making a
long and lasting investment which will save you money for
many years to come.
- What
about the UK weather?
- Contrary to popular belief we receive
more than enough exposure to sunlight in this country to benefit
from solar panels. Developments in solar technology have meant
that solar panels harness the power of the sun, not only in
direct sunlight, but also with diffused radiation emitted
on cloudy or overcast days. Our panels consist of evacuated
‘tubes’ which can collect energy 360° and
can turn this ‘light’ into heating water with
remarkable efficiency. Even when outside temperatures are
below freezing, they will still collect the sun’s energy and
provide a great source of free hot water!
- What
are the environmental benefits of solar energy?
- By choosing solar energy you will be helping
the environment. By not using expensive and depleting fossil
fuels you can save up to 2.5 tonnes of carbon emissions per
year and help reduce global warming for years to come.
- What
savings can be made?
- With rising prices of oil, gas, electricity
and other fuels, free solar energy will save money now and
well into the future. Solar collectors will harvest this free
energy automatically and reduce your energy bills providing
around 70% of your hot water for free. As a rough guide the
average UK home owner spends 40% of their heating bill on
hot water, the other 60% being space heating so if you take
40% of your annual gas bill then 70% of that amount, is what
you could save. Also bear in mind that in the long term energy
prices will continue to rise so in the future you stand to
make even greater savings!
- How
much will a system cost?
- Because we are sole UK distributors importing
our solar panels direct from the manufacturer we can offer
outstanding prices! ‘Size matters’ - A properly
sized system is very important with the amount of panels based
upon a number of factors. Each system is designed individually
and the price will depend on many aspects, such as size of
cylinder, number of occupants in a home, number of bath or
shower rooms, positioning of collectors and associated pipe
runs. We use extremely powerful collectors which can be sized
and adapted to suit your requirements. Sun Save also offers
an array of financial packages to suit you needs.
- What
payback could I expect?
- As well as contributing to the environment
the cost of financial payback is dependent on a number of
factors. Although payback is one way of looking at the cost
of your system it is perhaps more accurate to look at the
return on your investment. Typically the financial savings
of a solar water heating system will be equivalent to a tax
free return on investment of between 8% and 12% which far
exceeds the return of indexed linked saving plans plus will
grow year on year. Increasing evidence is showing that solar
water heating installed in your home will increase its value.
The Guardian quoted “evidence suggests solar power can
add nearly 9% to a property value”.
