The basic idea behind solar water heating systems is to use the sun’s heat to help to provide hot water for the home. It is usually installed as an addition to a conventional gas central heating system. Generally speaking, solar energy is used to provide hot water for the showers and taps in a house rather than the radiators.

Solar water heating is a great way to cut down on your gas bill, not to mention your carbon footprint. The reason why it is such a desirable technology is that once you have it in place, it will provide free, carbon neutral hot water for a long time to come. It does not need to be replaced unless it gets badly damaged, and in a well insulated home, a typical system can provide over half of the total hot water requirements, saving over ten percent from your household gas bill every year.

While eco enthusiasts have been installing DIY solar water heating systems for many years now, it is only recently that commercial solar heating systems have become a mass-market product. There is now a wide range of solar heating equipment available to suit different types of heating systems and houses. As long as the building that you live in is not listed, you can have it installed without having to apply for planning permission in England, and it is expected that this will soon become the case around the rest of the UK.

A solar water heating system basically consists of one or more solar collectors or panels installed on a roof, and a water cylinder. If you already have a central heating system with one or more hot water cylinders, you may not need to install a new cylinder, but if you have a combination boiler, you almost certainly will. Also, they can only be fitted to homes with South-facing slanted roofs, as otherwise the panels will not collect enough sunlight to make it worth the trouble.

The initial cost of these systems can be quite high, with a typical system costing around £5,000 to purchase and install. However, you will make this money back over time through reduced energy bills. Also, should you choose to move on, solar water heating will add to the resale value of your home. Government grants are also available to help you offset the cost of installing eco friendly measures such as these. For more information about fitting solar water heating systems, as well as other eco friendly heating equipment such as high efficiency boilers from the likes of Worcester Bosch UK, go to the British Gas website.

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