A solar heating system uses solar collectors to absorb the sun's radiation as heat.

Solar thermal energy is used for domestic water heating, swimming pool heating or industrial water heating. It is a completely renewable source produced directly from sunlight and produces no carbon at all.

For this system we can offer both vacuum tube solar collectors or flat plate solar collectors.

Flat plate collectors are the most affordable solar thermal solution and are more durable than evacuated tubes, however they are slightly less efficient. Flat plate collectors are generally installed on domestic properties rather than commercial buildings.

Evacuated tube collectors are slightly more expensive and fragile, but they make up for this with higher temperatures, greater flexibility and a slightly higher efficiency. Evacuated tubes are ideal for commercial sites that need very high water temperatures.

Solar Thermal energy systems are a versatile and truly renewable energy solution that can be used to dock into or assist existing renewable energy systems and/or help to reduce a property's emissions.

We provide consultancy and install systems for:

• Homeowners
• Swimming Pool owners
• Architects, Consultants and Engineers
• Builders, Contractors and Developers
• Schools and Academic Organisations
• Businesses and other organisations

We offer top performing solar hot water systems that can be used for:

• Domestic Water Heating
• Swimming Pool Heating
• Industrial Process Heating

Key factors isoenergy considers when designing a Solar Thermal system:

• Hot water consumption patterns and volume
• Energy & CO² reduction targets
• Legionella protection
• Planning restrictions
• Architectural & structural considerations
• Health & safety
• Location of collectors, controls, storage and ancillary equipment
• Integration of all mechanical, electrical and control systems
• Installation & maintenance logistics
• Costs

For more information, call 01293 821345, or contact us online.

The science behind Solar Thermal systems is extremely simple. Sunlight is collected and provides heating and/or hot water inside the home or swimming pool.

Isoenergy install both Flat Plate and Evacuated Tube collectors.

Flat Plate Collectors.

Flat plate collectors consist of a dark flat-plate absorber of solar energy, a transparent cover that allows solar energy to pass through but reduces heat losses, a heat-transport fluid (air, antifreeze or water) to remove heat from the absorber, and a heat insulating backing.

Evacuated Tube Collectors.

Evacuated tubes use heat pipes for their core instead of passing liquid directly through them. These tubes are composed of multiple evacuated glass tubes each containing an absorber plate fused to a heat pipe. The heat from the hot end of the heat pipes is transferred to the transfer fluid (water or an antifreeze mix—typically propylene glycol) of a domestic hot water or hydronic space heating system in a heat exchanger called a manifold. The manifold is wrapped in insulation and covered by a sheet of metal or plastic case to protect it from the elements.

The vacuum that surrounds the outside of the tube greatly reduces convection and conduction heat loss to the outside, therefore achieving greater efficiency than flat-plate collectors, especially in colder conditions. This advantage is largely lost in warmer climates, except in those cases where very hot water is desirable, for example commercial process water. The high temperatures that can occur may require specially designed systems to avoid or mitigate overheating conditions.

Domestic Properties:

Heating water for washing, bathing and showering typically consumes up to 30% of your household’s total annual energy requirement. A suitably sized solar heating system will deliver 50%-70% of your hot water demand, therefore reducing your total annual energy bill by up to 20%. Installing a solar hot water system is therefore an environmentally friendly and financially viable alternative to traditional water heating methods.

Domestic solar thermal systems can be installed as part of a new build but they can also be integrated easily with your existing hot water system with the installation of a new hot water tank. Systems have a typical life expectancy of 25 years and will function automatically with minimal maintenance.

Using a solar heating system to heat your radiators or your under-floor heating system is an option, but we would not recommended it in the UK. The relatively low levels of solar radiation available during the winter severely limit the contribution a sensibly sized solar thermal panel system can make. If you increase the area of solar panels you install you will get a lot of energy in the summer that is wasted.

Pool Owners:

A solar water heating system can be used to heat a swimming pool. A system can be sized to warm a small domestic pool, an Olympic-size public pool or anything in between.

If you only use your pool during the summer a solar thermal system can provide a large amount of the heating demand, providing the weather is warm.

If you have an indoor pool that is used all year the solar thermal collectors can provide up to 60% of the annual energy demand, with the remainder provided by a standard boiler, electric heater or ground source heat pump etc.

We typically recommend flat plate collectors for pool heating. The use of more expensive vacuum tube collectors is not required given the relatively low operating temperatures.

Commercial properties:

Architects, Consultants and Engineers:

Isoenergy have worked extensively with Architects, Consultants & Engineers, providing guidance on the design and installation of solar thermal solutions for domestic water heating, swimming pool heating and industrial process water heating. We provide everything from simple advice on the feasibility of installing solar heating through to specification of components and installation processes with fixed pricing.

Builders, Contractors, Developers and Housing Associations:

Builders, contractors, developers and all sizes/types of organisation in-between award us with repeat business because of the high quality turnkey service we provide. Solar hot water systems offer a simple way to improve a building’s energy performance to meet regulatory standards or to achieve energy and carbon dioxide saving targets. We will work on projects from the initial feasibility stage through to design, supply, installation and commissioning and also provide post-completion support. We pride ourselves on our commitment to understanding your requirements at every stage to ensure that we only specify the most suitable and cost effective solutions and services for each individual property.

Schools & Academic Institutions:

Isoenergy work with all types and sizes of academic organisation tailoring our products to meet environmental and budgetary requirements. The systems provided can be integrated into pre-existing heating and hot water systems or as a support to other renewable energy. As well as providing help at every stage isoenergy also assists with grant funding applications. Furthermore we can provide monitoring and performance display equipment so that the benefits of installing a solar system can be promoted to students.

Business & Other Organisations:

ISO Energy work with businesses and non-profit organisations to assess, design and implement solar thermal solutions for domestic water heating, swimming pool heating and industrial or process water heating. We carry out free remote assessments of the basic viability, benefit and cost of fitting a solar hot water system. This information can then be used to decide whether a more in-depth study is required to produce a detailed solution proposal.