The installation of solar panels for heating represents a significant investment, but it will allow you to save money in the context of rising gas prices.
It is important to choose the most efficient type of solar panel for your heating system.
Among new constructions and individuals who are encouraged to switch to self-consumption, it is increasingly common to see the roofs of houses covered with solar panels. These devices are associated with self-consumption of electricity, but did you know that they can also be used to heat your home without paying an exorbitant gas bill?
We all know that in winter there are fewer daylight hours and during this period the sun heats up less than in summer. Nevertheless, it is possible to have a heating system that works with solar energy.
But before betting on green energy, you need to know how it works, how much it costs, and whether your home is ready for an efficient installation.
At Rastreator we tell you everything you need to know to install a heating system with solar panels that will help you reduce your energy bill.
In this article, we tell you:
- How does solar panel heating work?
- What is the best type of solar panel for heating?
- Do the solar panels for heating work in winter?
- How much does it cost to install solar panels for heating?
- How much can you save on your gas bill if you install solar panels?
- How does solar heating work?
Solar heating is a system that uses energy from solar panels placed on the roof of your home to provide domestic hot water (DHW) and heating. However, how the installation works depends on the technology you are using. Solar panels can be thermal (they use the sun to produce thermal energy) or photovoltaic (they transform solar energy into electricity).
Heating by thermal solar panels
Not all solar panels work the same. The solar radiation that strikes the thermal panels placed on your roof heats up a fluid inside them. This fluid carries heat to a storage tank and heats the water you use for showering or heating. This type of installation slightly increases your home’s electricity consumption, but helps you reduce your gas needs.
However, there is another system that does not consume electricity: have you ever seen a solar panel topped with some kind of water tank? This device is called a thermosiphon and it is a very useful system for having domestic hot water at home in a sustainable and cheap way. Unlike thermal panels for heating, thermosyphons are only used to naturally heat water for consumption (bath, shower, kitchen), so you will need another system to heat your home.
Heating by photovoltaic solar panels
Photovoltaic solar panels are common in self-consumption electricity installations. The technology of these panels transforms solar radiation into electrical energy which can be used for all household appliances, including electric water heaters, air conditioners or heat pumps which are used for heating and hot water at home. House.
What is the best type of solar panel for heating?
The type of solar panel you should choose for self-consumption will depend on the devices you have installed in your home for heating and domestic hot water. If appliances run on electricity, such as electric heaters, water heaters, heat pumps or cookers, the ideal solution is to install photovoltaic panels on the roof. On the other hand, if the radiators or underfloor heating in your home is powered by water heated by a gas boiler, solar thermal panels are the most efficient option.
Do the solar panels for heating work in winter?
One of the big questions is whether solar heating is effective in winter, when there are fewer hours of sunshine and the sky is usually covered with clouds. The truth is that photovoltaic panels are equally efficient at any time of the year, but energy production can decrease during months with fewer hours of sunshine and higher energy demand. Solar energy can therefore cover your hot water needs in summer and support your heating system in winter to reduce your heating bill.
How much does it cost to install solar panels for heating?
Installing solar panels on your roof and adapting your heating system to run on renewable energy is not cheap. This is a significant investment that will depend on your energy needs and the capacity of your home. Ideally, an energy assessment should be carried out before starting the installation in order to make the system as efficient as possible. The price of a heating system with solar panels can easily be around 6,000 euros or even more.
Remember that you need not only solar panels, but also a hot water tank, pumps to circulate the water in the circuit, pipes, a control unit and others devices that increase the price. In addition, you must include the labor charged by the technician performing the installation.
How much can you save on your gas bill if you install solar panels?
Heating with solar thermal panels and photovoltaic panels cannot cover 100% of your consumption needs, but they will reduce your gas or electricity bill, depending on the type of installation you have. Using solar energy to heat your home’s radiators and produce domestic hot water can save you around 50% of your gas bill.
With solar panels, you’ll start saving money from day one of installation. However, since the initial installation costs several thousand dollars, you will not start making a profit for several years. Concretely, thermal and photovoltaic solar panels are amortized in about 7 to 10 years, but this depends on the cost of the installation and the savings you make each month on your energy bills.
Get the most out of your solar panels with the best electricity and gas rates.