April/May - The Greets Green Partnership Legacy Website

Residents go solar continuedSOLAR POWERYOUR QUESTIONSANSWEREDWhat is a solar hot watersystem?Basically it means heating up your water directfrom sunlight. Solar panels are fitted to yourroof and fluid circulates through them. The fluidis heated by the sunlight and this is then usedto heat the hot water cylinder.What if there’s no sun?You are likely to have hot water from the daybefore in your hot water cylinder. When you haveno solar heated water left, your boiler willautomatically cut in to heat your water.Warmer homesAs well as offering residents free solar panels, the SustainableWarmth project also provides free central heating, loft and cavitywall insulation.In the Spring and Summer, most of your waterwill be heated by solar power and be completelyfree. During other months, at least some of yourwater will be heated by solar power.Twenty five per cent of heat can be lost through the roof, so havingyour loft insulated maintains the heat within your home, cuts yourheating bills and keeps it cosier.How much will I save withsolar panels?How much you save on your heating bills willdepend on how much hot water you use andthe size of your home.Do I still need centralheating?Yes, as you will want to heat your radiators inthe Winter when there is least sunlight.5 STEPS TO THE SOLAR SYSTEMFirst, I’ll visityour home tosee if you qualifyfor the scheme.I’ll answer anyquestions anddo an energyrating on thehouse.Our consultantwill visit you tocheck thesuitability ofyour propertyfor solar panels.It’s got to faceSouth and haveenough room inthe loft.Walls can lose up to 35 per cent of the heat generated within the homeso wall insulation cuts down this heat loss. Walls are insulated from theoutside and the holes created in the process are filled afterwards so itdoesn’t leave a mess.The project is now also offering super insulation which provides a verystrong insulation by covering the external wall of the house in fourinches of insulation.If you’re unsure whether you qualify for this fr ee work, get in touchwith the team and find out. Don’ t miss out!Once you’ve called Sandwell Warm Zone about getting solar panels fitted, Surveyor Dave Edwards will visityour home to check you qualify. Here are Dave’s 5 steps to the solar system….1 2 3 4 5A technicalsurveyor fromthe solar panelinstallationcompany willvisit you to do asurvey. Thework is thenscheduled to bedone.It takes two daysto put solarequipment in.You begin toenjoy thebenefits of yoursolar hot watersystem.To find out if you qualify for free solarpanels, call Sandwell Warm Zone on0121 569 5015. The panels are beingfitted on a first come, first served basis,so give them a call!14Greets Green Magazine April/May 2008