Solar Panel Installation & Air Source Heat Pumps
Banstead, Oxted, Reigate and Surrey
Whitley Builders is an ethical building company from Redhill and, in support of our building work, we specialise in renewable energies. At the forefront of our innovative services is solar panel installation, and we see it as our mission to provide customers and clients with properties that are clean, green and ready to harmonise with the photovoltaic solar energy systems that we install.
Our role is to deliver balanced systems, designed to a bespoke specification, using ethically sourced components which tie in with your renewable energy goals. Embrace self-sufficiency, generate your own energy by harnessing the power of sunlight and reduce your reliance on grid-produced electricity.
We can undertake solar panel installations in the following areas:
- Banstead
- Oxted
- Reigate
- Surrey
- West Sussex
Please contact us to find out more, or to book in for an installation.
The team at Whitley Builders can fit solar panels onto new and existing builds, or onto extensions, using the area of the roof that receives the most sunlight.
Air Source Heat Pumps
Over the past few years, many of our clients have looked to invest in alternative heating sources. Whether that has been adding solar panels to their rooves, or installing a ground source heat pumps in a new property. We are finding more and more people are looking at how to reduce energy costs and help support protection of our ever declining climate.
Below are some of the ways you can look to achieve your “Eco Goals” . These are annotated notes from some of the suppliers that we have worked with over the past few years.
Solar Assisted Heat Pumps
Solar Assisted Heat Pumps are potable hot water heating heat pump for domestic and commercial applications They are split unit heat pumps, with an internal Heat Pump, Hot Water Cylinder and an external Evaporator They do not require Solar, but will benefit from Solar radiance. Available in different capacities. Source SACP
Advantages
- Solar Assisted Heat Pumps utilise Heat Pump and Solar principles, meaning they work both day and night to heat your hot water whenever its needed
- Installation is flexible and positioning too.
- Solar Assisted Heat Pumps have fewer moving parts than comparable systems for a more reliable and lower maintenance hot water heating system
- Potential to improve EPC rating via reduce carbon emissions
Ground Source Heat Pumps
A Ground source heat pump in its simplest form takes solar heat stored in the ground, raises its temperature, compresses it and then uses the energy to heat your property and or provide hot water.
Installation will require several elements - a heat pump (which will be positioned inside), a ground collector array (outside) that will absorb energy from the ground, a manifold and manifold pit. The relevant pumps to circulate the energy around the system, valves, expansion vessel, a means of storing the energy- a buffer tank, a hot water cylinder for heating the water and a control system to bring it all together in functioning state.
With the need for each of these elements, there is also a question of how much space it will take up:- That will really depend on the size of pump you need and that is calculated based on your heating needs. So it’s a little bit how long is a piece of string. It all depends.
Like other heating systems, the heat pump will need servicing annually to ensure efficiency and to ensure the warranty remains active.
Advantages
- Efficiency- For every kWh of electricity used to power the heat pump, about three or four kWh of energy is extracted from the ground.
- A heat pump can generally reduce energy bills by between 40-80% when compared to oil or LPG alternatives.
Air source heat pumps: Source Iso Energy
Air source heat pumps (or air to water heat pumps) , work in a similar way to ground source heat pumps except that they extract heat out of the surrounding air instead of the ground. The system used by ISO energy have advanced controllers that distribute heating and/or hot water to the property but also compensates for the weather throughout the year by sensing the outside temperature and adjusting output accordingly.
- Less work involved than ground source heat pump and therefore lower installation cost
- If space is tight then air source may be better suited than ground source as it takes up less space.
- compatible with both radiator based and under floor heating systems and can be used together with most electric boilers, oil-fired boilers or equivalent when docking to an existing heating/hot water system.
- For every 1KWH required to run the machine, you can expect 3:1 return on average and 5:1 in summer
- 2-4 weeks to install
Green Energy for Homes and Businesses
Whitley Builders meets the needs of the domestic and commercial sectors by combining solar panel installations with the integration of battery systems so that you can store clean energy. Our systems contribute to a greener energy supply for our clients and can significantly reduce their carbon footprints.
Home and business owners in Banstead, Oxted, Reigate and the surrounding Surrey area can even make a return on their initial investment by selling any surplus energy back to the national grid. We can advise you on this, and our company also offers practical help on any grants that might be available.
What is a Solar Panel Installation?
Our installations combine solar panels, inverters and batteries. The inverter is wired to the panel and usually sits in the loft space where it receives direct current (DC) power and converts it into alternating current (AC) power.
This power can be held in a storage battery for future use.
How Does Photovoltaic Technology Work?
When the sun shines onto a solar panel installation, the cells absorb sunlight to create energy. A photovoltaic system has no carbon dioxide emissions so the energy that you harness is much cleaner and, of course, sourced naturally
Solar thermal systems produce hot water using flat-plated panels and tubes.
What happens to Harnessed Energy?
The energy derived from solar panels, once converted to AC power, is ready for use but any surplus goes into battery storage. This means you can use the surplus at a later time, or you can sell it back to the national grid for a profit.
You can usually store energy in a battery for up to five days.
Will I Make a Full Return on Investment?
Typically, your return in investment from a solar panel installation will be 6% to 10% annually so, after a decade or so and with ongoing maintenance, your initial outlay should be recovered, and any extra energy created is then free.
Selling surplus energy to the national grid recoups outgoings even sooner.
Solar panel installations are a flagship service here at Whitley Builders. We can also assist customers in Banstead, Oxted, Reigate and all areas near Redhill by including renewable energies into new builds, property extensions and home renovations. Services available include the installation of air-source and ground-source heat pumps using our trusted subcontractors and the integration of smart control systems which you can manage with an app.
You can also use us for the installation of insulated concrete form (ICF) blocks which have applications in buildings and retaining walls. ICF blocks keep concrete in a permanent position to insulate the enclosed structure.
Call our builders on 01737 780788. We undertake solar panel installations in Banstead, Oxted, Reigate, West Sussex and all Surrey areas.
