Somerset Renewable Energy

Solar Water Heating Reduces CO2 Emissions

Around the world Apricus solar collectors are cutting total CO₂ emissions by over 13,000 tonnes (28.6million lb) per year. Apricus solar heating collectors are installed across:

There have been a growing awareness of climate change and the impact which CO₂ emissions have. During 2003 we saw extreme weather conditions across the planet, such as extreme heat-waves in Europe. This may be anecdotal, but there is other clear evidence of this problem. Commonly this is referred to as the "green house effect" and is a natural and important aspect of the climate. However, burning fossil fuels such as coal and gas for electricity generation or heating water releases CO2 into the atmosphere which has not been in the atmosphere for hundreds of millions of years. This effects the balance of gases in the atmosphere and contributes to this the environmental damage of this phenomenon.

By using the energy of the sun to heat water, you will reduce the reliance on fossil fuels. This will directly reduce your CO₂ emissions. Every 1kWh of energy you generate through renewable energy (such as solar thermal) you cut between 450g and 1kg of CO₂ from being produced (450g CO₂ per 1kW for natural gas and 1kg CO₂ per 1kW for coal).

For most households, heating up water (for central heating or hot running water) accounts for approxiamately one third of CO₂ emissions. By fitting a solar heat collectors you can use it to provide 50% - 70% of the hot water your household needs. This means you can cut the CO₂ emissions by more than a fifth with no other measures. Couple this with other renewable energy solutions (ground or air source heat pumps, bio-mass boilers, improved insulation) and you can heat your home, have hot running water for your taps and be carbon neutral. Not to mention cut your annual heating bill.

The Stove Shop are experienced installers of Apricus across Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset, for more information on have your solar panels installed, click here.