Solar Thermal Tube Panels info please!!

[Deleted User]

I'm posting on behalf of my father who's considering having a Solar Thermal Tube system installed.

Now... the sellers he's contacted have quoted around £5000 including approx £800 government grant discount, and have said he'd start saving money after 5-7 years but as his gas bill is only £68 p.m. for heating, hot water & cooking I'm not convinced!!

British Gas give an "average" figure of £3500-£5000 per system.

I've done some research online & the more independent sites give a figure of £60-£100 savings per year on gas/hot water.

My parents' house is all gas, radiator heating on pretty new combi boiler .

All and any info invited, especially from those with govt grants knowledge, thanks!

albyota

Solar thermal will pay back in about 43 years 178 days 14 hours and 32 minutes......tell him not to bother......he can buy mine for £2K if he really wants to do it.

Cardew

You do appreciate that they only produce Hot Water - not heating?

Your figure of £60-£100 a year saving is an over-estimate. Government tests of 8 systems gave an average saving of 1,000kWh per year - so in the region of £30 a year if you have gas. Don't forget also you have to run a pump at daytime electricity rates + power electronics.

Of course with your father having a combi, he will now need a hot water tank to store the hot water from the panels.

Complete joke and you should report these rogues of Solar salesmen to the local Trading Standards office - they are certain to have thick files of similar complaints. They prey on older folk!

[Deleted User]

Thanks for the replies - it all sounded pretty iffy to me when I thought about the maths!

We weren't sure whether "hot water" included the hot water in radiators (or not) so thanks for the info.

Luckily he's only 58 and just wanted to check it all out before making a decision.

frabcus

This Which guide on solar water heating is handy:
which.co.uk/advice/how-to-buy-solar-panels/solar-water-heating/index.jsp

Two things to remember:
- Gas prices will likely go up, as China/India continue to grow. That means you'll save more each year as time passes.
- From April 2011, the Government will pay you an extra £200 a year (estimated) if you have hot water solar panels.

I think the economics of it from next April look pretty good. But obviously, it depends how much hot water / heating you use and at what time of day, and how big your roof is. Better if more people live in the house and take lots of baths in the evening.

This Guardian article is helpful too. Near the end it says that people have seen prices quoted ranging from £1,000 to £8,000. So watch out for cowboys.
guardian.co.uk/money/2010/feb/20/solar-water-heating-incentives