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May, 2008 Archive

Solar Panels vs Heat Pumps

Thursday, May 29th, 2008

Many people don’t know which renewable technology is right for them.

In some respects, experts like ourselves can make the decision easier but we thought it would be useful to cover a commonly asked question.

Which is best, Solar Panels or Heat pumps?

Unfortunately it isn’t that simple. Solar panels and heat pumps perform different tasks. Solar (water heating) panels use the suns energy to contribute to the heating of your hot water storage cylinder. They cannot however be relied upon to deliver hot water everyday all year round.

Ground source heat pumps on the other hand, extract heat from the ground and use this heat to heat both domestic hot water and your central heating system.

So heat pumps offer a total solution that does not need a backup. They run cost effectively vs most traditional fuels and remove the need for oil tanks or a gas connection.

Solar panels cannot provide this level of reliability.

Solar panels and heat pumps can also be installed to work together. This type of system uses the solar panels to heat your domestic hot water but utilises the heat pump as a back up. This should cut the running costs of the heat pump for domestic hot water by 50-70 per cent.

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In roof vs on roof Solar Water Heating Panels

Saturday, May 17th, 2008

Solar Water Heating Panels

Solar Water heating panels heat water for domestic and commercial use. Panels come in a variety of different shapes and sizes but one question that people have to decide is whether to have the panels mounted on the roof or in the roof.

On Roof Solar Panels

The easier way of retrofitting solar panels is to mount them on top of the existing roof covering. this means that the existing tiles remain in place and the panels sits directly on top. The panels are fixed to the roof joists via special brackets.

Roof integrated Panels (In Roof)

As an alternative to on roof panels the existing tiles can be removed and the panel can be fitted into the roof structure. This leaves the panels almost flush with the existing tiles.

When making a decision as to which is best there are a number of factors to consider. On roof solar panels are easier and quicker to fit. Hence the installation costs are less. However, on roof panels will add additional loading to the roof structure.

Roof integrated panels require the existing roof covering to be removed, this may raise questions with the condition of the felt beneath the tiles, if it is poor it will need rectifying. In roof panels also require expensive flashing sets to make the roof water tight. However, in roof panels aesthetically look better than on roof systems.

Of course if you have a house that has not yet had the roof fitted (new build or new extension) then roof integrated panels are almost certainly the way to go. You will also save some money as less tiles will need to purchased.

It is also worth mentioned evacuated tube solar collectors. This type of solar collector is made up of a number of tubes. Evacuated tubes are almost certainly fitted over the existing roof covering as they are more difficult to make water tight.

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£1000 per year for being green

Thursday, May 15th, 2008

Save Money and the Planet

Going greener in the High Street and when choosing services and providers could save shoppers anything up to £1,000 a year claims Together. Together is the UK’s biggest climate campaign.

The group have published a Savers’ Guide, which aims to show how consumers can cut carbon emissions and shave their household bills by thinking more about the environment.

The guide details how an average UK household could cut up to up to three tonnes of CO2 going into their atmosphere.

The simplest of actions are suggested, such as switching to low energy light-bulbs, washing at 30 degrees, installing home insulation, switching to green energy tariffs and not upgrading mobile phones.

For more information contact together.com.

For householders wanting to go a little further they should consider solar water heating, solar electricity panels, ground source heat pumps and wind turbines.

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