Solar Thermal Water Heating

Solar thermal water heating can provide approximately half of your hot water needs over a year. The average domestic system reduces carbon dioxide by approximately 635kg per year in an electrically heated home. In terms of your finances, that could mean a saving of around £95 per year on your hot water bills.

Home not heated by electricity? See how those savings translate when your home is heated by another fuel below:

Source: Energy Saving Trust.  All savings are approximate and are based on the hot water heating requirements of a 3 bed semi-detached home.

Domestic solar water heating systems are very energy efficient, cost-effective and low maintenance. They have three main components:

• Solar panels - to collect heat from the sun's radiation
• A solar controller - which monitors the temperature both in the panels and in the water storage cylinder and controls the transfer of the collected heat to the water
• A hot water cylinder - To store the hot water that is produced ready for use

Is this method suitable for your home?

If you would like to install a solar heating system into your home, there are a few things you'll need to think about:

• You will need 3-4 square metres of southeast to southwest facing roof which receives direct sunlight for the main part of the day.
• The roof should not be overshadowed by tall trees or other buildings
• You may need space to locate an additional or a bigger hot water storage cylinder
• If you have a combi boiler, you'll need to check whether it is compatible with the solar system.

To read a case study on a solar installation, click here.

To find out more and view the full range of Baxi solar heating systems please click here.