Modern, sustainable, low-impact living is the amalgamation of the wisdom of the past with the technology of the future. Updated 13/3/2006
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Solar Thermal - producing hot water.
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INSTALLATION OF OUR ALTERNATIVE ENERGY TYPES OF ALTERNATIVE ENERGY FOR YOUR HOUSE SELLING YOUR ENERGY AND CLAIMING ROCs
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The exact type to Solar Thermal system will depend on the manufacturer and installer. In all cases a water cylinder will be needed to store heated water. Our house does not have a water tank as we have a gas combination boiler. We would have liked to installed a Solar Thermal System as well as Solar Photovoltaic but we simply would have had to change the whole of the plumbing arrangements which would have been too costly, as well as find space for a water cylinder in the top two bedrooms (our loft space is only big enough for someone to crawl in)!... this in the end was just not a feasible proposition .
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There are some very efficient modern systems available. They can provide all of your hot water needs in the summer months and up to 50% of your requirements during the winter. Some of them use the existing water cylinder as part of the plumbing infrastructure. However the most efficient ones replace the water cylinder with a purpose built 'solar cylinder'.
Solar collectors are fitted to the roof through which water and anti freeze is circulated. Solar radiation heats this liquid and it returns to the cylinder where its heat is transferred through the heat exchange unit and then onto the hot water pipes for use around the house. In most cases logging controllers can be installed so the householder can calculate the energy saving and the CO2 emissions saved. This technology has been around for a while but is much more efficient than when it was first conceived. Its one of the cheapest technologies to install and has a shorter payback time than most other forms of alternative energy. It is important to install the correct size system dependant on the hot water usage expected. Grants are available through Clear Skies for about £400 ( it used to be £500) depending on the type and size of system.
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