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Information / Site Survey Request
Request further information on our
products and services or arrange your free, no obligation, Solar
Water heating System site survey.
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Heavens Solar Technology
74 Main Street
Mexborough
South Yorkshire
S64 9EA
UK
Tel: 01709 579998 / 0845 1662988
E-Mail - 
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Who
uses Solartwin solar water heating ?
Want to
do something significantly positive for the environment? Or do you use costly
fuels, or live “off grid”?
Homeowners, self-builders, farmers, businesses and housing
associations (e.g.
Berwickshire, Perthshire, South Yorkshire, Habinteg) use Solartwin.
Is
the sun OK in UK or Ireland?
Yes! specifically
designed for Scotland, Solartwin also performs superbly in hot countries. It
typically gives 30-70% of a home’s hot water a year and works in response to
variable sunlight levels.
Meteorologists say the June sun offers 6 times more energy than December’s.
All solar needs top-up heat (e.g. gas, wood, oil, electric), mostly in winter.
Is
Solartwin OK for my property?
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Yes,
if you can face the panel mainly
unshaded,
roughly towards the sun. South, southwest or southeast roofs are ideal. Even
east or west roofs usually offer 75-85% of peak performance. |
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Easily,
if you have a traditional low pressure vented hot water system. This means a
hot water cylinder, with its cold tank above, usually in the attic. Thermal
stores are an easy fit too. |
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Yes,
if, height-wise, there’ll be under 5
metres
height
(up or down) between the water level in the cold tank and the panel’s
midline. OK in most homes. |
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Yes,
if your hot water cylinder holds over 80
litres
although
for a grant the existing cylinder must be over 110
litres.
Most are about 120 l. |
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Listed
buildings, conservation area properties, national parks etc, may need
consent: with its slim matt black trim, planners usually
class it as a big, neat roof window. Optional “glazing bars” can be of
value in conservation areas. |
What
about other uses of solar, apart from washing and bathing?
Solar
central heating. It’s cold in winter
and at night because of the lack of sunlight. Unless you want radiators at full
blast on sunny summer days, solar washing & bathing offers at least 2-3
times better value.
One
Solartwin delivers around 5 times more energy than the same sum spent on a solar
electric (photovoltaic) array.
How
many solar panels do I need?
In
UK/Ireland one 2.8 sqm panel is the usual number in homes of 1-4 people.
I
have hard water, do I need to control the water hardness?
Control for “direct” Solartwin's is uncomplicated.
First phone the water company for “parts per million calcium carbonate”
(also called “ppm CaCO3”). If they quote “typical” or “average” (not
maximum) figures, allow 20% tolerance i.e. add 20% to their figure.
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If
hardness ever exceeds 240 ppm CaCO3 (very hard water) use either an
ion-exchange (salt-regenerated) water softener or an “indirect”
Solartwin. |
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At
100 - 239 (maximum) ppm CaCO3, you can use Fernox Super concentrate
Lime scale preventer.
Your first little bag of crystals on a string is free. Simply hang it in the
cold tank. Replace it twice a year. A free 6-monthly postcard reminds you.
Fernox SLP is
food grade. It costs about £10 from DIY shops. Or you can use an
ion-exchange water softener or an “indirect” system. |
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Under
100 ppm, and with “indirect” Solartwin's, use no hardness control. |
All
other water hardness treatments or conditioners, including electromagnetic,
magnetic, electronic, physical or ultrasonic methods must not be used. The above
239/240 ppm maximum thresholds are reduced to 199/200ppm respectively for all
“fortic” type hot water cylinders as well as irregularly used hot water
systems, such as in holiday homes.
  
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Solar Power-Solartwin solar water heater panel. Solar energy for the home.
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PDF File
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