Solar water heating systems use heat from the sun to work alongside your conventional water heater. The technology is well developed with a large choice of equipment to suit many applications.

 Benefits

• can provide you with around a third of your hot water needs
• reduces your impact on the environment - the average domestic system reduces carbon dioxide emissions by around 325kg per year, depending on the fuel replaced.

For information on the cost and saving for Solar Thermal please visit the Energy Saving Trust website.

Different types of system

What best suits your needs depends on a range of factors, including the area of south facing roof, the existing water heating system (e.g. some combi boilers aren't suitable) and your budget.  

A competent professional installer should assess your situation and discuss with you the best configuration to meet your needs. 

 Solar water heating and your home

Solar water heating can be used in the home or for larger applications, such as swimming pools.

For domestic hot water there are three main components: solar panels, a heat transfer system, and a hot water cylinder. Solar panels - or collectors - are fitted to your roof. They collect heat from the sun's radiation. The heat transfer system uses the collected heat to heat water. A hot water cylinder stores the hot water that is heated during the day and supplies it for use later.

Is my property suitable?

Preferably you will need 3-4m² of southeast to southwest facing roof receiving direct sunlight for the main part of the day. You'll also need space to locate an additional water cylinder if required.

Cost and maintenance

The typical installation cost for a domestic system is £3,000 - £5,000.

Solar hot water systems generally come with a 10-year warranty and require very little maintenance. A yearly check by the householder and a more detailed check by a professional installer every 3-5 years should be sufficient (consult your system supplier for exact maintenance requirements).

In England, changes to permitted development rights for domestic microgeneration technologies introduced on 6th April 2008 have lifted the requirements for planning permission for most solar PV installations. Roof mounted and stand-alone systems can now be installed in most dwellings, as long as they respect certain size criteria. (See page on Planning Permission for further details). Exceptions apply for Listed Buildings, and buildings in Conservation Areas and World Heritage Sites.

In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the devolved governments are currently all considering changes to their legislation on permitted developments, to facilitate installations of microgeneration technologies, including solar PV. Legislation is expected in all three countries later this year (2008).

Until then, householders in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland must consult with their local authority regarding planning permission.