Bumford Heating have been installing Central Heating systems since 1968 and installing Solar Heating systems since the late 1970s.

 

We are energy efficient experts and now import our own Solar Panels directly from the manufacturer.

 

Solar water heating can provide you with about a third of your hot water needs.

 

The average domestic system reduces C02 by around 350kg per year and about £40 a year of your hot water bills, depending on the fuel replaced.*

 

It is often said that we do not get enough sun shine in the UK to feed solar panel installation. In parts of the UK we get about 60% of the annual solar irradiation level that is received on the equator.

 

The approximate annual average solar radiation values in kWh/m2 falling on the United Kingdom as shown on the map.

 

The Dti commissioned a two year monitoring programme of four domestic properties with solar installations throughout the UK (including Scotland) The results showed that the systems provided an average of about 70% of the hot water requirement, at the properties. That even in December and January about 17% of hot was provided by solar, whilst in mid-summer the systems provided 100% of the hot water, thus arriving at an average for the year at the said 70%.

 

 

In the late seventies Bumford Heating built this solar panel. The panel was still in operation until recently when it was replaced by new, roof mounted panels.

 

The old Solar Panel consists of copper sheet, fastened to a south facing brick wall. Copper tube is then soldered to the copper sheet and the whole of the panel was covered by clear corrugated clear plastic sheets, removed before the photo was taken.

Water was pumped through the 15mm copper tube and the captured heat was stored in a 60 gallon (273Ltrs) cylinder.

The basic principal remains the same today, irradiation from the sun (heat) is collected by the solar collector and the energy is stored in a cylinder. Today heating controls are more sophisticated and the solar panels are very efficient, thus capturing as much energy as possible.

The basic principal of Solar Heating is simple, but it is essential that the sizing of panels and cylinders is undertaken by proffessionals.

 

Solar water heating can be used in the home or for larger applications, such as swimming pools.

 

You will need 3-4 square metres of southeast to southwest facing roof receiving direct sunlight for the main part of the day for a domestic system.

 

You'll also need space to locate an additional water cylinder if required.

 

Good news regarding Planning Permission restrictions is that they have recently been relaxed.