Solar Heating Systems Guide

Solar Heating Systems Guide

There are several reasons why you may want to install your own solar heating system.

Perhaps it is cost that attracts you? As energy prices continue to rise, harnessing power for free from the sun has a huge appeal.

Perhaps it is your environmental concerns that attract you to a solar heating system? A solar heating system emits no harmful CO2 into the atmosphere and is a renewable source of energy.

Or perhaps you just want to be independent from the energy companies? Not having to rely on outside influences for your energy, or worry about power failure, is very reassuring.

All the above are the main reasons for wanting to install your own solar heating system, which will have a significant positive effect on your pocket, the environment and the security of knowing you will have power when you want it. So where do you start once you have made the decision to go solar?

Firstly, it is a good idea to sit down and work out how much you spend on energy and how many people will be using it. This will help you to choose the right system for your home. Decide what methods you would like to take advantage of from solar energy.

You need to consider your location as well as which way the house faces. As most solar heating panels fit on the roof they need to be positioned facing maximum sunlight. Consider, too, the number of appliances you want to power. Once you have done this it is time to do some research to find the solar heating system that fits your needs and your budget. You can find information from some of the excellent, and inexpensive manuals available online to help you decide.

Secondly, once you have done this, your next step is to select the solar heating system suitable for your home. There are two main ways to harness solar power for domestic use. Solar heating modules that provide active water heating, and photovoltaic modules that actually generate electricity.

Solar water heating is the cheaper and more limited system.There are several different methods, but basically the solar panels fitted on your roof retain heat from the sun and transfer it to a fluid. A storage tank stores the hot water that is heated during the day. These systems are obviously reliant on the amount of sunlight the solar panels receive. So you may wish to continue to be grid-interconnected. This means that in times of inclement weather or above average use, you have the back up of taking power from the grid. This has an added bonus, that if you produce more power than you use, it can be sold back to the grid as credits.

Solar photovoltaic cells on your roof use sunlight to generate electricity. The electricity is collected and converted from DC to AC and then carried into your home electricity system. The photovoltaic modules come in different forms, shapes, and colors, and can even be made to look like tiles.  These are connected in a series arrangement to make sufficient electricity to be used to power your home, heat your water or be stored in batteries for later use.

Whichever system you choose it is worth contacting your local authority to check on planning permissions etc and check if there are any government incentives for green energy projects.

If you are trying to keep the cost down, you might attempt installing a solar heating system yourself. There are various DIY kits and manuals available. However, you will need some DIY skills, and the final connections to your home systems should not be attempted if you are not a qualified electrician. If you are not sure you can install the system safely, it is always best to seek a professional - and may even save you money in the long run.