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Key Takeaways
- Thermodynamic panels use renewable energy, including solar power and ambient heat, to provide properties with hot water.Â
- These panels work by transferring heat from the collector panel to a refrigerant, through the heat pump system, and into the hot water tank.Â
- The average cost of thermodynamic panels is between £5,000 and £8,000.
- Thermodynamic panels use both solar and ambient air compared to air source heat pumps and solar thermal panels, which only use one each.
- While thermodynamic panels can be used for space heating, the main application is heating water.
- If you need someone to install thermodynamic panels for you, contact the experts at Scottish Energy Saving.
If you’ve been looking into renewable energy and going green, then you may have come across the term thermodynamic panels. In simple terms, they are a modern technology that harnesses the sun and ambient air temperatures to provide heating and hot water to homes and other properties, such as businesses. They work in a unique way and are growing in popularity more and more every day.
This guide covers thermodynamic panels' basics, how they work, how they compare to other heating systems, and whether you should use them.
So, let’s get started!
Table of Content
What Are Thermodynamic Panels?
Thermodynamic panels are sometimes also referred to as solar thermodynamic panels and are a relatively new type of renewable energy technology that homes and businesses are using. While they can be used for heating, they are more often used to heat water directly through power from a combination of sunlight and ambient air temperature. This feature means that, unlike traditional solar panels, they can be effective on cloudy days when sunlight is limited.
Before we get too deep into how thermodynamic panels work, let’s look at the basics. These systems consist of a collector panel that absorbs heat from the air, which is then transferred to a refrigerant and pumped through a heat exchanger, where it is compressed. This refrigerant is then heated and ends up providing us with hot water or heating for our home or business.
As mentioned, these types of panels are mainly used for hot water heating. You can choose to use it as a standalone solution for your showers and baths, or you can use it to assist your current heating system. They are easily integrated into other heating systems, such as radiators or underfloor heating.
Many people love thermodynamic panels and are increasingly turning to them because they use two types of renewable energy: solar and air. It is not only reliable and energy-efficient, but it also provides us with lower energy costs and a plentiful supply of warm water when it is cold.
How Do Thermodynamic Panels Work?
We’ve already briefly gone through how thermodynamic panels work, but let’s dive into it a little deeper. These clever systems use a combination of solar energy and heat pump technology to provide efficient heating to both homes and businesses (or any other building that might need it). It consists of three main components: the collector panel, the refrigerant, and the heat pump system.
Everything starts with the collector panel, which works to gather heat from the ambient air surrounding it. It works as both a solar panel and one to collect heat. Its versatility means it can work on both sunny and cloudy days. The panel is often strong, durable, and efficient at absorbing heat to kickstart the rest of the system.
The system sends the collected heat from the panel to the refrigerant. The refrigerant operates at an extremely low boiling point and can, therefore, absorb and evaporate the heat. This evaporated heat, or gas, is then moved to the heat pump, where it is compressed. The compression process raises the temperature, preparing it for use in the property's hot water system.
The property first passes the now-heated refrigerant through a heat exchanger. Once it has been used, the refrigerant then goes back to the collector panel, and the cycle begins again.
It is a simple process that brings a wide range of benefits to those who use thermodynamic panels. They are ideal for areas with many overcast days because they can extract heat from the air even when the sun isn't shining. They are low-cost to run and much greener than collecting energy from the main grid.
Cost of Thermodynamic Panels: A Detailed Breakdown
The main concern that people have before having thermodynamic panels installed is how much it is going to cost. The thing is, the cost can vary depending on a wide range of factors, including how big the system needs to be, the brand, how complex installation is, and the location. However, on average, both purchasing and installing a thermodynamic panel system range between £5,000 and £8,000. This price includes everything, such as the panels, the heat pump, and the water storage tank.
The bigger your property is, the larger the system is going to need to be, and therefore the higher the price. It will also most likely require more components and more people to complete the installation. Another big factor that affects the price is the brand. Those that are well-known in the renewable energy sector and use quality and durable materials will be the ones that come with a higher price tag. The same goes for installation complexity. Companies such as Scottish Energy Saving may need to increase the cost for systems that require more advanced plumbing or electrical work. This could be due to the potential need for additional labourers.
While the price might look big at first, when comparing it to other heating systems, thermodynamic panels are actually one of the more affordable alternatives. For example, air source heat pumps cost between £6,000 and £12,000 to install, and solar thermal systems can range between £5,000 and £10,000. However, the difference is all down to the brand you’re selecting and how much the installation fees are.
When looking at costs, you shouldn’t just consider the upfront cost but also the return on investment. The excellent thing is that thermodynamic panels are pretty cost-effective upfront but also offer significant long-term savings. They can reduce your heating bills by up to 60% over time. There are also often government grants and renewable energy schemes that can save you on costs even more.
Comparing Thermodynamic Panels with Other Heating Systems
Whenever choosing a system for your home, heating or not, it is always a beneficial idea to compare it to other systems:
Thermodynamic Panels vs Heat Pumps
Both thermodynamic panels and air source heat pumps are renewable and energy efficient. They can be used to heat both large spaces and hot water, but they operate differently and have different benefits.
Both systems are energy efficient in the way they extract ambient heat from the air to generate hot water through them. However, thermodynamic panels one-up these heat pumps slightly, as they also utilise the heat from the sun to provide warmth to those who need it in the cold weather. If the climate is extremely cold, they might excel slightly more than air-source heat pumps that can’t find any heat in the air. This is because they tend to lose efficiency at temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius.
There is also a big difference in the costs. As we have mentioned before, thermodynamic panels are slightly more affordable than air-source heat pumps. This is because the total cost of materials and installation of the heat pumps ranges between £6,000 and £12,000, whereas the panels are lower at between £5,000 and £8,000. This means that if you’re looking for a more cost-effective option, then thermodynamic panels are for you.
Lastly, the applications of the two slightly differ. You know that thermodynamic panels heat water and spaces and can be used with underfloor heating or radiators. Air source heat pumps are more commonly used for space heating, and while they can be used to heat water, they are better utilised in larger spaces and homes.
Thermodynamic Panels vs Solar Thermal
Another good combination to compare is thermodynamic panels and solar thermal panels. Many people get confused and believe they are the same thing; however, they are different.
You already know how thermodynamic panels are used; however, solar thermal panels rely solely on the sun’s energy to heat water. The system uses solar collectors that absorb only sunlight and not ambient air as well. The property's pipes then transfer this solar energy to heat the water. The downside is that they can’t perform as well on cloudy days, whereas thermodynamic panels can use the ambient air on these sorts of days, making them operate slightly more efficiently.
If you live in an area that has longer summers or more days of sunlight, then you can opt for solar thermal panels. However, for countries where it is cloudier and rains more, then a thermodynamic panel will be the better solution. They are more reliable and efficient year-round because they can either extract heat on cloudy days or use the sunlight when the temperature dips too low.
One other main difference between these two heating systems is the installation requirements. Solar thermal panels often need to be placed on the roof in a specific orientation so they can capture sunlight at the best angle. It also needs to be integrated into the property’s plumbing, so the panels need to be angled so they can be connected in such a way. This can often make installation a lot pricier than the cost of installing thermodynamic panels.
Applications of Thermodynamic Panels: Hot Water
The main application of thermodynamic panels is heating water. They are extremely energy-efficient, whether used in a residential or commercial setting. Since the panels use either sunlight or heat from ambient air, it has many opportunities to transfer the gathered energy into the water, which is stored in a tank for later use.
One of the best things about thermodynamic panels is that they can work well with existing heating systems such as underfloor heating and radiators. Depending on your needs, you can use the panels as the primary source of hot water or as a supplementary source. If you’re using thermodynamic panels to provide hot water for your home, they work best with other central heating systems.
When you’re installing thermodynamic panels in a commercial space, such as a hotel or office, you may need to meet higher hot water demands. This advantage makes them the perfect solution, as they keep operational expenses low, especially when you pair them with other heating systems, such as underfloor heating. This reduces your overall reliance on gas or electric boilers and your carbon footprint.
Are Thermodynamic Panels Worth It?
So, should you go for a thermodynamic panel in your home or business? Well, only you can answer that question, but they definitely come with some great benefits. The initial cost may seem high, but it is a lot lower than some heating alternatives and provides a great return on investment in the future, reducing heating bills by up to 60%.
Beyond saving you costs, thermodynamic panels are incredibly energy-efficient and eco-friendly. You will drastically reduce your carbon footprint when you use one. They are pretty durable and low maintenance, and most of them last for over two decades, making them a reliable, long-term solution for heating hot water.
Conclusion
Thermodynamic panels are a fairly new heating technology that provides both homes and businesses with an energy-efficient and eco-friendly solution. They function year-round, using both solar power and heat from the ambient air, so even on cloudy days and cold winter nights, people can still get hot showers and warm water.
Investing in a thermodynamic panel will not only save you on costs, but it will also ensure you are helping protect the environment at the same time. If you wish to have a thermodynamic panel installed for your home or business, you can receive help from Scottish Energy Saving. Contact us today for an energy assessment and quote to get started.
