Choosing a solar water heating installer

Purchasing a solar water heating system can be one of your best investments. Not only are you investing in something that will go on to save you money for years into the future, but also you will be doing your bit for the environment.

There are many excellent solar heating installers, providing good equipement at a realistic price, however, as with any purchase, it is important to ake sure you are dealing with a business that is also looking after your interests.

Choosing a Solar water heating installer

Make sure you get at least 3 quotes. A good place to start is the Solar Trade Association which lists installers who are members. Each trader will have their own way of approaching the promotion of their equipment and service so it is important to be able to compare like with like.

The things to consider are: Over what period of the year will you expect to get 100% of your hot water from the sun. What do they propose to do with the hot water cylinder. Will they be using scaffolding when they install the panels. What sort of experience do they have, is there an example you can visit locally.

Can you go to their showroom?

Avoiding the Hard Sell

Solar Sellers Slammed
Which? report

While many solar installers will be patient and wait for you to make up you mind, unfortunately there are marketing companies that use high pressure selling techniques. Take care to recognise and avoid them. They go a bit like this:

When you 1st contact them, ask for a guide price. Describe your house in simple terms eg. 3 bed two storey terrace with south facing sloped roof with easy access from the street. What did the last one that you installed cost?

They should be very willing to tell you, perhaps going in to detail about how they came to that price. Some companies will refuse to discuss a price over the phone, they will come up with all sorts of pseudo legal reasons why they are not allowed to. Be assured, there is no reason at all not to talk prices.

The reason they will not discuss a price is they do not want to restrict the salesman who they want to get in to your home in order to do the hard sell! He's on commission and wants to aim for the highest price possible. These companies are in the minority, lets avoid them.

Paying the right price for a solar system

Look at the quoted price before considering any of the grants available. This way you can more easily compare the various systems. When you know the price they are going to charge, only then consider any grants.

A realistic price for a typical domestic system, excluding any grants, will be about £4,000.

Quality

Obviously you have to consider the quality. Any solar water heating system should be designed and installed to last 25 years, hopefully much longer. In choosing your system, perhaps do some research in the same way that you would research a car before buying it. Ask friends. Perhaps the best way is to ask people who already have a solar system, if they have one on their roof, knock on the door, say that you are going to install solar water heating and ask where they got it, what they paid for it and would they recommend the installer.

If you have chosen a supplier, do a bit of web research, check the web forums to see if there are any comments either for or against. Try a search: name of company + forum

Please Note

Solar water heating panels cannot run a central heating system.

Renewable Heat Incentive

This is a scheme for paying people for generating heat without emitting carbon that is planned for introduction in 2011. To benefit from this, your installer must be registered under the MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme).

Other resources

Energy Saving Trust : Lots of information about renewable energy

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme: How solar installers can be certified

Grumbletext: An example of forum feedback on a solar installer

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