Frequently Asked Questions
General
Q. How are hot water requirements calculated and how is the solar water heater sized?
A. The hot water requirements are calculated by taking into account the number of people living in the house and the size of the hot water cylinder. A good guide is based on the calculation of 50 litres per day each person living in the home, so that a 5 person home would need a cylinder of 250 litre capacity. The solar panel is then sized to heat the 250 litre cylinder, taking into account the average climate conditions and the orientation of the roof; south, south east or south west.
Q. What percentage of hot water requirements are met by the solar system?
A. Up to 70% of the annual hot water requirements will be delivered free of charge
Q. Is the location of the solar system important?
A. Yes. The panel should be mounted at 30 degrees (typical roof slope) and be south, south east or south west facing. If the house has a flat roof a special mounting kit is provided to ensure the correct angle.
Q. Is there any disruption to my home while the system is being installed?
A. Minimal disruption is caused if a Dual coil cylinder is fitted inside the house unless the existing cylinder is used (some can be adapted). This will require some pipe work. The entire installation is usually completed in two days. Any rubbish and excess materials are removed.
Q. How is back up heating provided?
A. Back up heating is provided by your existing boiler in much the same way as your existing system. The cylinder also comes fitted with an immersion heater.
Q. Can the Solar System be Controlled to ensure hot water?
A. There are a number of ways to call on the immersion or boiler to top up the water temperature during bad weather.
Equipment
Q. Are the solar panels and storage tank certified by a quality label and CE compliance label?
A. Yes, each component is tested by independent laboratories.
Q. Are all the flashing and fixing components for the solar panel provided?
A. Yes, some are standard “off the shelf flashing kits” while others are made to suit individual roofs.
Q. How is my home protected against the system overheating, freezing and excessive pressure?
A. All systems come with a number of individual safety devices to ensure full operating safety, many of the very important parts are not electric so there is no danger in the event of a power failure.
Installation
Q. Do You offer a full delivery, installation, commissioning and after sales service?
A. Yes, while we do supply direct to home owners and installers we also provide a supply and fit service.
Q. What is the training or accreditation of the installers involved in the installation?
A. Solar Ireland installers have trained in Dundalk I.T. and are members of the R.E.I.A.
Q. How long does the installation take?
A. Typically, an installation can be completed in one / two days, depending on roof access and installation of the cylinder.
Commissioning
Q. Who is responsible for commissioning?
A. The installer not the retailer is always responsible for commissioning, take care to ensure your installer is on the Greener Homes installer list.
After-Sales Service
Q. What is the warranty period?
A. 5 years on all parts and 1 year on labour.
Q. Is an annual contract available from you or the manufacturer?
A. Although an annual contract is available from us, good solar systems require very little maintenance therefore a maintenance contract can be hard to justify for domestic installations.
Q. Is full documentation, including user manual provided?
A. Yes all documentation, including some most home owners may never need, is supplied.
Q. Do you have an emergency after sales service?
A. Yes, there is always someone on call 24 hours 365 days of the year. |
