4Solar Ltd

How much will it cost?
It is not possible to accurately price a system without a survey. This is because there are many factors which affect the cost of the system. After we have conducted a survey we will be able to provide a quotation. The fully installed cost for a three bedroom house could be anywhere between £3,500 and £5,000 depending on the brand and system complexity.

Why do you need to do a survey?
There are many factors which need to be taken into account when designing a solar hot water system. Very few homes and scenarios are identical so until an engineer has been able to assess the site it is impossible to offer any accuracy in a quotation.

Will it provide me with all of my hot water?
During the summer months the solar panels will provide almost all of your hot water requirements and in the winter the system will still make a useful contribution. The boiler or immersion heater will automatically top-up the hot water when required. A well designed solar hot water system will provide around 50-70% of a family's domestic water heating needs.

Does it work on cold or cloudy days?
On a cloudy day the sun's rays will be scatted by the cloud, some of this scattered light reaches the earth and is known as diffused radiation. This diffused radiation will still operate the solar panel system.

How many solar panels do I need?
The number of solar panels needed for a property will depend on a number of factors. When designing a solar hot water system we will take into account the size of the property, the number of occupants, the number of showers/bathrooms, and how the hot water is used throughout the day. Another imortant factor fo us to consider is the aspect of the roof - an east/west roof will require more panels than one with a south aspect.

What types of solar panels are available?
There are two main types of collector - flat plate and evacuated tube. The evacuated tube solar collectors are more efficient and compact than flat plate collectors. However the flat plate solar panels have a lower profile so can be integrated into the roof structure and can also be fitted in various orientations.

How much will I save on my bills?
Typical annual savings of 50%-70% of the hot water bill can be expected from a properly designed and installed solar hot water system. However, this very much depends on how much hot water is used in the property and what type of fuel is currently used to heat the water.

If for example, the property holds 4 occupants and has two showers and/or baths then the savings can be significant. Whereas if there is only 2 occupants with one bathroom then very little hot water would be being used and therefore the savings would be significantly smaller.

The biggest savings are to be made when installing a solar hot water system for heating a swimming pool. It's realistic to expect you pool heating bill to be halved - meaning most installations would have been paid back with 3-4 years.

Does the system need to be maintained or serviced?
Once installed the solar water heating system will operate without any problems for many years. To ensure trouble free operation regular servicing is recommended. This is only required biennially and involves checking the system pressure levels and testing the transfer fluid, replacing if required. This only takes an hour so costs are minimal.

I am building a house and would like a solar hot water system. Is there anything I should consider before the heating system is fitted?
Yes. It is well worth speaking to one of our qualified solar engineers as early as possible, preferrably at the planning stage. That way we can recommend a heating system that will offer you exactly what you're after. With the right planning it is possible to negate, or at worst drastically reduce, the dependance on traditional fossil fuel boilers.

Will I need planning permission?
Planning permission is not required unless the building is listed or in a conservation area.

Will a solar hot water system work alongside a solid fuel boiler?
Yes. A solar hot water system works great with solid fuel. Usually solid fuel boilers are not used during the summer months and this is when there is most solar radiation. However another heat source is still required (i.e. an immersion heater) to ensure the temperature of the water in the cylinder is kept at about 60ºC.

Will it operate my central heating?
The short answer to this is no. In the UK there is insufficient solar radiation during the winter months and this is when there is the most demand for central heating. However it is possible to incorporate solar into a heating system with the correct parameters in place. Contact us for further advice.

Can you fit the panels on a flat roof or a wall?
Yes. Solar panels can be installed on a flat roof by using brackets which position the panels at the optimum angle. Panels can also be mounted vertically (e.g. wall mounted). We supply panels that cover all locations and orientations possible - no matter how unusual or limited your roof space is.
You may need planning permission or building regulaions for flat roof or wall mounted solar panel installations.

How long will the installation take?
Depending on the size and complexity of the system, installation usually takes two or three days. We will keep disruption to a minimum and respect your property at all times.