Solar Thermal

Varisol evacuated tube collectors

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Product

Solar Thermal

Varisol is the first solar evacuated tube collector with no rigid manifold offering high performance as well as total flexibility. The revolutionary new design of Varisol offers a modern and flexible alternative to traditional rigid manifold collectors.

It combines award-winning technology of Thermomax HP and DF evacuated tubes with a unique design which allow tubes to simply click fit together to create solar thermal collectors of varying sizes (up to 150 tubes in a row) to meet the needs of your domestic or commercial property.

Kingspan Solar FPW Flat Plate

Kingspan Solar’s range of flat plates has been specifically designed for the UK climate, delivering excellent levels of efficiency throughout the year. The panels are robust, hard wearing, sleek and subtle in design. Kingspan’s FPW panels are flexible in installation and can be installed both ‘in-roof’ and ‘on-roof’. They can be fitted in a variety of domestic applications – both in new builds and refurbishments. These panels offer a straightforward solar thermal solution, perfect for the needs of UK homes.

How do they work?

Solar water heating systems use solar panels, called collectors, fitted to your roof. These collect heat from the sun and use it to heat up water which is stored in a hot water cylinder. A boiler or immersion heater can be used as a back-up to heat the water further to reach the temperature you want.

There are two types of solar water heating panels:

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1

Evacuated tubes

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Flat plate collectors, which can be fixed on the roof tiles or integrated into the roof.

The Benefits

Solar Water Heating

Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive

Solar water heating panels work by utilising the ‘greenhouse effect’ – directing light onto either a flat panel or tubes residing in a vacuum. A vacuum is an excellent insulator as you’ll recognise from use of vacuum flasks.

This helps to keep heat loss to a minimum. What counts is the amount of light falling onto them, rather than ambient temperature. In fact, solar panels have been successfully used in the Antarctic for some time now. Care must of course be taken to ensure they are not shaded and work best when facing south, though any roof facing within 90°s of south will be suitable.

The UK receives plenty of light throughout the year, enough that a panel area of 1m² is generally sufficient to provide hot water for each adult in the property. The minimum panel area would normally be in the region of 2.5m².

One of the most common configurations is to have 2 coils in the hot water tank, one for the solar heating, one for a conventional back up such as gas or electricity. This is both more convenient and efficient.

Over the course of a year, the panels should provide some 60% of the property’s water heating needs, Summer naturally being the most effective with close to all needs being met, though even during the Winter, around 20% of water heating needs should be met, chiefly by raising significantly, the temperature of the water before it is necessary to heat it further by conventional gas or electric methods.

Our Customers

Here’s what our customers have to say:

"The team of installers were a pleasure to have in my home. They worked very well as a team and both were efficient and courteous."

Janice

"We are very happy with all the installation. The workmen were very helpful and polite. I feel confident that if anything should go wrong in the warranty period, you will put it right."

The Herberts

"Excellent service! Dan and Jan and true professionals."

John Truman

Installation of a Air Source Heat Pump, I am very happy with the installation, clean, tidy and very professional job.

Martin Main

RHI Heat Pumps provided a detailed up-front and quote with no up-front fees (unlike some other companies we dealt with) and then installed a quality Windhager biomass boiler for a competitive price. The boiler was signed off by Windhager after installation, so there were no concerns about the job and six months later, we are not missing our unreliable, unsightly, environmentally unfriendly oil boiler at all.

Gerard Lewis

Very pleased with the installation of our heat pump. It wasn't straight forward, as we had a recurring leak. You really get to know a company when you have a problem - especially after you have paid. RHI Heatpumps stepped up to the mark, and made sure we were 100% happy.

Deryck Arnold

Excellent.  After being badly let done by another company, RHI Ltd responded brilliantly and managed to fit us in before the March 2022 deadline when the more advantageous money back scheme changes to a poorer one.

Anne P

I was struggling to find an installer for a heat pump, did a search and RHI Heat Pumps Ltd came up. They have been brilliant and completed the work efficiently.  There were a few issues with the install at first but these were resolved quickly and I now have a fully operational heat pump. I highly recommend RHI Heat Pumps Ltd.

S Caan

Very pleased with the installation of our heat pump. It wasn't straight forward, as we had a recurring leak. You really get to know a company when you have a problem - especially after you have paid. RHI Heatpumps stepped up to the mark, and made sure we were 100% happy.

Deryck A

Installation of an Air Source Heat Pump, I am very happy with the installation, clean, tidy and a very professional job.

Martin M

Just wanted to say a HUGE thanks to you, Jan and Chris for all your help yesterday. Jan and Chris were brilliant - looked through everything, Jan calling from Italy to talk us through it all and Chris checking everything and being so kind and diligent. You have a brilliant team. Thank you for your quick response as well - sending someone out so quickly - we are so grateful as we were going a bit crazy without hot water.
Thanks very much again - we are recommending you to everyone.

Renita and Loy

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01483 322121

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The Granary, Water Lane, Albury, Guildford, Surrey, GU5 9BD