A complete guide to heating water with solar power

Heating water with solar power is becoming a more and more popular way to save on energy bills while lowering your carbon footprint.

Solar water heating systems use the sun’s energy to heat water, giving you a renewable solution for your home. In this guide, we will explore how these systems work, their benefits, costs, and maintenance requirements, and help you figure out if solar water heating is a good fit for your home.

• What is solar hot water?
• How does a solar hot water system work?
• What are the benefits of solar water heating?
• Is solar water heating worth it?
• How much maintenance do solar water heating systems need?
• How much can you save with a solar water heating system?

What is solar hot water?

Solar hot water refers to water that is heated using solar energy. This process is achieved through solar thermal systems, which use immersion diverters, solar panels, or tubes specifically designed to capture and transfer the sun’s heat to your water supply.

How does a solar hot water system work?

Solar hot water systems consist of solar panels or tubes installed on your roof. These absorb the sun’s heat and transfer it to a fluid, typically a mixture of water and antifreeze, which circulates through the panels.

The heated fluid then passes through a heat exchanger, transferring its heat to the water stored in a cylinder or directly into your hot water system.

There are two main types of solar collectors: flat plate collectors and evacuated tube collectors.

It is also possible to heat your home’s water with a normal solar panel installation through an immersion diverter. This piece of tech will notice if your solar batteries are full and divert any excess solar power to an immersion heater or your hot water tank.

What are the benefits of solar water heating?

Solar water heating comes with a full range of benefits:

Cost savings

By using solar energy that you generate yourself, you rely less on the national grid to heat your water and reduce your monthly energy bills.

Environmental impact

Solar water heating also reduces your reliance on fossil fuels, cutting down your carbon emissions and contributing to a greener planet.

Low maintenance

These systems are generally low-maintenance, but simple checks and occasional professional servicing are needed to ensure their efficiency.

Longevity

Solar panels often come with 30-year performance guarantees, making sure you get a good return on your investment and can enjoy cheaper bills and greener energy for years to come.

Is solar water heating worth it?

Solar water heating can be a great addition to your home if you have suitable roof space with plenty of daylight. Ideally, your roof should face south, southeast, or southwest and be free from shading by trees or other buildings.

If your roof faces a different direction, don’t be put off – as long as it’s not shaded, a solar system will still be effective.

A hot water storage cylinder is also an essential part of a solar thermal system, though one can easily be installed with the rest of the system. If your home ticks these boxes, solar water heating can be an excellent way to use renewable energy and reduce your utility costs.

How much maintenance do solar water heating systems need?

Solar water heating systems are designed to be low maintenance. Routine checks include monitoring the pressure gauge for leaks, making sure the control panel shows no warnings and clearing your panels of any dirt or debris.

An annual service check by a professional is a quick and cost-effective way to keep your system efficient and working properly.

How much can you save with a solar water heating system?

A solar water heating system can bring you big savings on your energy bills. According to the Energy Saving Trust, a typical 4m2 system can provide around half of your hot water needs, though this will vary from house to house.

Grant Store: Your trusted solar water heating installers

Solar water heating is an efficient, eco-friendly way to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions. Sounds good? Give our team a call.

We have years of hands-on experience and can design a custom solar installation with battery storage that diverts excess energy to heat your water.

Worried about the cost? We’ll walk you through the different funding options available, find out if you’re eligible and help you apply before managing the full installation process. We’re your one-stop shop for all your home heating needs.

Just reach out to the team at Grant Store today to get started.