Often Asked Questions and Answers
Q - What direction do the panels need to face?
A - The optimum direction is north or within 45% either sidewill give a morning or afternoon bias and is acceptable.
Q - Do I need to pitch the panels up?
A - Ideally the panels should be pitched at the same angle as your latitude, which is around 40deg. We would recommend that they are at least 20deg.
Q - Will they heat the water in overcast weather?
A - They will work a little bit, but will need the support of the top up system fitted.
Q - Will they heat the water in the winter?
A - Yes they will, but as the sun is lower and further away they are not going to heat all of the water and will need support from the top up system fitted.
Q - Are evacuator tube systems more efficient than flat plate systems?
A - The simple answer is no. Studies throughout the world prove that annually the total output of a flat panel system produces around 10% more energy savings. EECA say that both systems are as effective as each other.
Q - Is the system protected against frosts?
A - Yes the ecogise system is totally protected against frosts.
Q - Should I make my system Mains or Medium pressure?
A - We highly recommend using Medium pressure where possible as there are a number of advantages.You will use less water, therefore cost savings of metered water. The system will last longer. More efficient.More reliable.Cheaper.
Q - Does one sized system suit all applications?
A - No. We need to size the system taking into consideration how many people are living in the house, whether or not you have baths /spa's etc and what area your house is located.
Q - Will I have a cylinder sitting on my roof?
A - No. Our water cylinders are mounted in a cylinder cupboard or inside the roof.
Q - Are the Solar Collectors protected against damage by hailstones, stones or sports balls?
A - Yes, the front cover is made of Twin Cell Polycarbonate which is UV resistant and is tested to endure damage from these types of objects.
Q - Will I save money?
A - EECA state that around 50% of your power is water heating and solar water heating will produce around 75% of this. This means you should save around 40% of your power bill. These figures vary with the number of adults in the home and with the water use i.e. bath or shower.
Q - How long is the warranty on my system?
A - 10 years.
Q - Is it possible to convert an existing home to solar?
A - Yes. It is generally more expensive to "retro-fit" an existing home than plumb a new home. This is mainly due to access problems for the required plumbing. Always get a fixed plumbing quote when considering this option as the cost will very from home to home.
Q - Can I use my existing cylinder?
A - Only if the existing cylinder is a solar ready system. Another factor to consider is that in older homes the existing cylinder will probably be of too small a storage capacity to give optimum solar efficiency.
Q - Are there any on going maintenance costs or requirements?
A - ecogise systems have next to no maintenance requirements or on going costs. After a number of years you may require a top up of the glycol, but this is very simple and minimal in cost.