Everything UK Homeowners Need to Know About Solar Water Heaters.Everything UK Homeowners Need to Know About Solar Water Heaters In the UK, the winter season lasts longer than the summer, which means homes need hot water for most of the year. But heating water with a gas boiler has become increasingly expensive due to rising energy costs.
However, with a solar water heater, widely known as the solar thermal system, you can get hot water for your household throughout the year at an affordable cost. An average home with more than 2 bedrooms can save up to £80 a year on water heating bills.
A solar water heater, like many other solar technologies, uses the sun’s rays to produce heat and provide warm water to homes or businesses. The heated water can then be used for showering, dishwashing, and other home uses.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about solar water heaters, how they work, the types you can choose from, and whether they’re suitable for your home.
Interested in installing a regular PV system? Simply fill out our quotation form and get a free consultation over the phone and a couple of customized quotations.
What is a solar water heater?
A solar water heater is a renewable energy technology that warms your home’s water by absorbing sunrays and converting them into heat. The system does not rely on electricity or gas. It captures sunlight through solar collectors. Collectors are just like solar panels that often come in tube or flat panel shapes and are installed on your roof.
These panels don’t need a solar inverter to convert heat into usable energy. Instead, they directly supply warm water on their own.
How Does a Solar Water Heater Work for Your Home?
The working of a solar water heating system is quite smart yet simple. The system uses solar energy to heat water for homes and businesses. It consists of two main components that work together to supply hot water.
The first is the solar collectors. They look a lot like solar panels, but instead of making electricity, they capture the sun’s rays and convert them into heat.
These collectors come in two different types. Flat-plate panels or evacuated tubes. The tubes are filled with a special mix of water and glycol that soaks up the sun’s heat.
This heated liquid then flows into a heat exchanger inside your water tank. This gives you an uninterrupted supply of warm water for the whole day, even when the weather turns chilly.
You can add a solar water heater to your existing heating system. These systems could also be used for an underfloor heating system. The installation isn’t too complex. Both the conventional boiler and immersion heater work perfectly with the solar water system.
What is the cost of a solar water heater in the UK?
Considering the average home’s hot water needs in the UK, the solar water heater price ranges between £2,700 and £5,500. However, the exact price depends on a few things, like the type of heating system and the number of solar plates you install.
Another big factor that plays an important role in the cost is whether you already have a heating setup in place. If the solar system is topping up your existing boiler energy needs, the price will likely be lower than average.
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But if you plan to rely entirely on this system for all your heating needs, the overall cost may be a bit higher.
To put it simply, the price is more about what suits your home, your lifestyle, and how much hot water you need.
| System Size | Who It Suits Best | Typical Price Tag |
| 2 m² | Small home (2–3 people) | £2,700 – £3,200 |
| 3 m² | Medium family (3–4 people) | £3,200 – £3,500 |
| 4 m² | Growing household (4–5 people) | £3,500 – £4,000 |
| 5 m² | Large family (5–6 people) | £4,000 – £5,000 |
| 6 m² | Bigger homes (6–7 people) | £5,000 – £5,500 |
Want to learn more about solar thermal heating systems? Read our comprehensive guide to solar thermal systems in the UK.
What are the benefits of solar water heating?
Solar energy comes with countless advantages, both for your home and the environment. And solar water heaters are no exception. By installing this system, you can enjoy the following benefits:
- Reduction in your Energy bills
- Come with up to 10 years warranty
- Required very low maintenance
Cheaper and more affordable when compared with solar PV panels. - Carbon-free source of energy production
Types of Solar Water Heaters
There are four different types of solar water heaters available in the UK market, and each type works in its own unique way. The system you pick will not only decide how efficient your system is, but also how much you will have to spend on installation.
Active systems:
This is the most commonly installed water heating type. It uses mechanical devices, like a heat pump and a storage tank, to transfer fluid from collectors to the water tank
Passive systems
This system uses natural resources to transfer heat from the collector. They use the building design and insulation to retain the heat. That makes them low-maintenance.
Direct systems
A direct water heating system warms the water directly by using the solar panels or a collector. This system does not use any internal or external sources.
Indirect systems
In an indirect solar water heating system, the water is actually heated by the fluid. This fluid circulates between the rooftop collector and the heat exchangers fitted inside the water tank.
Can a Solar Water Heater Provide All My Hot Water?
The average solar water heater can provide the complete hot water needs in the summer. But in winter, it can only provide between 25% and 50%. In winter, you might need to use another heating system to get the desired heated water.
Does the government provide financial support/grants for solar water heater installation?
The Home Upgrade Grant was available in the local council in England for the solar water heater installation. But now it has largely been replaced with the Warm Homes Local Grants since March 2025.
This grant is available across England but only to low-income households that hold an EPC rating between D and G.
Is your home suitable for solar water heating?
Before investing thousands of pounds in a solar water heater installation, there are a few things you need to check.
- Just like solar panels, your home should have at least 2 m² of roof space available.
- The collectors (plates) should ideally face southward to capture maximum sunlight and produce the most heat.
- Your combi boiler must be able to accept preheated water. If it cannot, you’ll need to invest in a separate hot water cylinder
What’s next?
If you are using expensive ways of heating water for your home or business, and if your property is suitable for installation, a solar water heater is a worthwhile investment that can save you a handsome amount on your energy bills. The solar thermal energy costs you between £2,700 and £5,500. But it’s limited to just heating.
FAQs
Do Solar Water Heaters Require Regular Maintenance?
Solar water heaters need very low maintenance. If there isn’t any leakage in the tubes, they only need to be serviced after 3 to 7 years.
How Many Solar Water Heaters Do I Need for My Home?
To heat enough water for a typical three-bedroom house in the UK, you will need just two to three flat-plate panels. If you choose evacuated tubes, 20–30 individual tubes are usually enough.
