Government cash incentive to give you cheaper hot water

With heating bills continuing to rise an energy expert says now is the time to putting a solar thermal system into your home, especially as the Government is offering a cash incentive for the next six months.

This allows householders to use free heat from the sun to warm domestic hot water, says Ron Fox, who runs his own solar power company.

He believes there are three main benefits from putting an approximately four square meters solar thermal system on the roof of a house.

Firstly, it cuts energy costs saving up to 24 per cent a year or £188.64 on an average UK heating bill of £786.

Secondly, during the summer it should provide a large amount of domestic hot water needs for a home and about half during the rest of the year. Residents will need to heat the water further with a boiler or immersion heater during the winter months.

Thirdly, it cuts householders’ carbon footprint as a solar hot water system is a green renewable heating system and can reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

The good news is that until August 1 the Government is giving a £300 Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP) towards the £5,500-£6,000 cost of installing a solar thermal unit. For more details go to www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

Also the Government will be giving an RHI, a renewable heating incentive, which is an index linked and annual tax free payment and which should be in operation by this October.

Another advantage is that the units, which use heat from the sun as opposed to solar photovoltaic panels which provide electricity with light from the sun, have very low maintenance costs. Both systems will fit together on most roofs.

Finally, householders don’t need planning permission unless the home is a listed building or is in a conservation area.

Ron said: “The returns from a solar thermal unit can be better than a bank account or a pension.

He added: “One customer who has just had fitted a solar thermal system told me ‘I would rather see my money earning for me rather than in my bank account’.”

Solar water heating systems work by using solar panels, called collectors, fitted to the roof. These collect heat from the sun to heat up water which is stored in a hot water cylinder. A boiler or immersion heater, including a combi boiler, can be used as a back up to heat the water further to reach the temperature if necessary.

However, technology does not yet allow people to heat the water in an existing central heating system in an economic way.

“What many people don’t realise,” said Ron, “is that the UK still gets 60-70 per cent of equatorial levels of solar radiation from the invisible infra red and ultra violet rays, even in winter.

“On the Equator that is 100 per cent because the sun is directly above and there is very little pollution to stop the rays reaching the earth.”

For more details call Ron at Noreus on 01782 756995 or 01782 756995  for expert advice.