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Soak in the sun

Soak in the sun

DoAction 08

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Solar thermal water heatingDoers doing this DoAction have pledged to save: 4691 kg CO2
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This is a big one. Take the plunge and install solar thermal water heating, the most reliable, easy to install, and low-maintenance form of domestic renewable energy for us in the UK. You could sponsor your friend with a whopping 1,923Kg CO2!

By harnessing the sun’s rays that are already shining down on your rooftop you could cut down the energy used to heat your water by third, even with our gloomy British weather.

Why?

Natural resources

Unlike conventional forms of heat generation, solar thermal heating does not produce any pollution and doesn’t depend on the extraction of foreign oil, gas or coal. That means less pollution and more energy security, which has got to be a good thing.

 

Climate change

We’ve all become so accustomed to having piping hot water at the twist of a tap that it’s easy to forget what an energy-intensive luxury it is. 641Kg CO2 a year1 can be saved by installing a solar thermal water heater on your roof.

 

Money

Obviously you’ll be cutting your fuel bills and protecting yourself from fuel price rises. The systems do require some capital investment, but you should claw back the money from your heating bills over the following years - payback time can range from 5 to 50 years depending on the system and location though!

The Renewable Heat Incentive is due to kick in on 1st April 2011, which should also provide a good financial leg-up to help make this an even more attractive investment.

25%

of your home’s energy consumption goes into heating water

How?

1. Check that your house is suitable for solar thermal (i.e. do you have a sun-bathed spot to place the panels). 

2. Find yourself a good MCS accredited installer. 

3. Sit back and let them do all the hard work.

Make My Home Green offer a great reporting service that can help see if your house is suitable. They are also giving DoNation users a 15% discount on this service so mention discount code 'Do Make My Home Green' when you give them a call!

Both Yougen and Save and Generate are great sources of independent advice. Check them out.

Got other tips or great resources to share? Please email them over to us at info@thedonation.org.uk



1 - Act on CO2