Questions covered on this page
At-a-glance:
How does it not overheat on a sunny day?
Do I have to change my habits to use a solar water heater?
Can a solar thermal system be used to heat my central heating?
Is my solar system protected from freezing weather?
What about the condition of my roof?
If your question is not answered here then please feel free to drop us a line.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does it not overheat on a sunny day?
Some indirect systems have “overheat protection,” which is a means to protect the collector and the glycol fluid from becoming super-heated when the load is low and the intensity of incoming solar radiation is high.
Do I have to change my habits to use a solar hot water heater?
No. Solar Water Heaters are always installed with a backup heating system inside or outside the storage tank to ensure that hot water is available at all times. However, to maximise solar utilisation and your savings, you could attempt to use the most hot water in the late morning and early afternoon when the solar system is operating at its peak due to the available sunshine. Also, your solar system will be more effective if your use of hot water is spread more evenly over the week.
Can a solar thermal system be used to heat my central heating?
For this type of system you will need to have a larger roof space and a much larger cylinder. Systems are available.
Click here for more details or call Suntrader on 01273 550225
Is my solar system protected from freezing weather?
There are two basic methods for protecting the collector and piping from damage due to freezing temperatures: using an antifreeze solution as the heat transfer liquid; or draining the collector(s) and piping (collector loop), either manually or automatically, when the collector temperature falls below a certain level. In some cases, Solar Water Heaters also incorporate a heat exchanger in their design, which makes the design quite suitable for colder climates.
What about the condition of my roof?
In common all roofs – composition, shake, tile roofs- are suitable for installing a solar collector. If you’re not certain about your roof condition, ask the Solar Water Heater dealer. Furthermore be aware that a solar collector will stay on your roof for a period of more than 20 years. Take this in consideration if you are planning to rebuild the roof.