Decide whether solar hot water is right for you
First read our introduction to solar hot water. Maybe talk to other system owners, read books, attend courses, ask questions – get as much basic information as you can. Read more
Do you need permission?
Do you live in a protected building? Is it listed, or in a protected area – a national park, area of outstanding natural beauty or a conservation area? Read more
What size system do you need?
Think about how people in your house use hot water. Are they frugal? Do they use a lot? Are they wasteful? The more hot water the occupants use, the bigger your system needs to be. Read more
What type of panels?
The choice is between flat-plate panels and evacuated tubes. Here’s what they look like. Read more
Costs, savings & incentives
An average price for an installed system (including a new cylinder) for a family of 4 is around £4-5000, but there will be geographical variations, as labour can be cheaper in some parts of the country. Read more
Installation
We are building a list of recommended installers, depending on what part of the country you live in. Read more
Living with a solar hot water system
Typically, a system will consume a small amount of electricity to run the pump and controller – less than £10 per year. Read more
Maintenance of your system
Most systems are pressurised (the solar system is pressurised, not necessarily the cylinder), so it’s a good idea to check the pressure gauge reading every now and then – say, once a quarter. Read more
