U.K. Evacuated Tubes
Solar collectors, traditionally known as panels, transform direct and diffuse solar radiation into useful heat which is collected and stored in a hot water cylinder. This cylinder is rather like a battery which stores heat rather than direct energy. The larger it is the more heat it can potentially accumulate in one day.
Each Thermomax solar collector consists of a row of evacuated tubes, plugged into an insulated manifold where the heat in each tube is transferred to the solar coil inside the hot water cylinder, via the ‘flow’ pipe work. The vacuum inside each tube provides perfect insulation so there is no heat loss due to cold and windy weather. Neither are they affected by high humidity.
Below-Left: Typical solar hot water cylinder with two heating coils. The bottom is the solar coil.
Above-Right: Tubes plug into the manifold which is a well insulated and profiled housing where heat transfer takes place.
The tube technology ensures the most effective transfer of energy into heat, giving extra performance compared with flat plate collectors and performing not only on warm, sunny days, but even in frost and snow, for example Solarworks have four evacuated tube systems installed in the Antarctic. Heat produced on overcast days varies depending on the time of year. In January there may be little gain but in June you can expect a tank of useable hot water.
Benefits of a Thermomax System
With over 25 years of experience, Thermomax is firmly established as a world leader. Thermomax collectors are a premium product in the market and designed and built in the U.K. using U.K. materials and components. In 2005, the brand was awarded the International Forum Design award for excellence in product design. All Thermomax collectors are Solar Keymark approved.
A Positive Environmental Impact
Burning fossil fuels produces vast quantities of carbon dioxide, a major contributor to global warming.
The average household with a Thermomax system installed can expect to generate approximately 2,256 kWh/year with zero emissions. Our collectors are expected to produce at least 99 times more energy in their life time than was used in their manufacture and transportation.
The diagram illustrates the amount of c02 produced by oil, gas and electricity to generate the equivalent 2,256 kWh.
Performance and Savings
- Thermomax products have been designed specifically for Northern climates:
- Premium performance within the world market
- Inbuilt unique temperature shut off valve *
- Proven longievity and efficiency over decades
- Designed for freezing, windy or humid conditions
- Fast, easy and light weight installation
- Installs at any angle from vertical to horizontal
- Manufactured in the U.K.
Contribution Table
The table below shows the typical annual solar energy contribution in London.
- Up to 70% of your annual hot water requirements
- Increased life expectancy of your boiler and enhanced boiler efficiency **
Easy installation
The unique ‘plug and play’ design of Thermomax solar collectors makes installation quick and easy. There is no need for heavy lifting equipment, as tubes can be carried onto the roof individually. Usually facing south, or west and east, the collector(s) is fixed to the roof by easy-fit roof brackets, which are simply fixed to the rafters with coach screws.
* Temperature shut off valves in HP100 models only
** Boiler efficiency greatly enhanced for heating domestic water with certain systems
