How Solar Panels Work

Despite the increase of homeowners making the switch to solar energy, many people don’t know how solar panels actually work. Here’s a quick guide to how the sun’s rays can provide your home with electrical power and hot water.

Will Cloudy Days Affect Solar Energy Collected?

Many people may think solar panels will only work in constant bright sunlight rather than in our rainy British climate! However, because solar panels run on daylight rather than heat, they can still provide energy when the weather is grey or overcast. The rain can also help to clean the panels, so our weather is perfectly suited to solar energy.

From The Sun’s Rays To Your Home Appliances

The way that the panels work is by absorbing sunlight which then generates a direct electrical current (DC). This runs through an inverter which converts the energy into alternating current (AC) and it’s this energy which is used to power electrical appliances. If the solar panels are generating more energy than the property needs, the excess energy will be fed into the national grid for use by other people. If the panels aren’t generating enough energy to power the house, the energy gets ‘topped up’ by power from the national grid.

A Fantastic Investment

For all the excess energy your solar panels create, you’ll be paid through the government’s Feed in Tariff. This scheme was created in 2010 to encourage more homes to switch to solar power. Not only do solar panels provide a great way to get your energy from renewable sources, but they’re also a brilliant investment which will save you money year after year.

Winter Boiler Issues: the Top Three Problems

The last thing you need when it’s cold outside is for your boiler to suddenly stop working! A lack of heating and hot water can throw even the most organised of households into chaos. Here’s a guide to the top boiler problems which can occur during the winter months.

1. No heating or hot water
If your heating suddenly shuts down, don’t panic! It’s a very common problem. A fault with a part of your boiler’s mechanism could be the problem, or possibly your thermostat. Either way it’s easily fixed with a call to your supplier.

2. Frozen pipes
In cold weather, the water in your heating system can freeze causing burst pipes, blockages and leaks if left unchecked. There are several ways you can stop this from happening, including insulating your pipes and making sure you have a regular boiler service.

3. Radiators not heating up
There’s nothing worse than a lukewarm radiator when it’s freezing outside! If you’re sitting at home with your coat on, it could be because hot water isn’t reaching your radiators due to a blockage. If your pipes are old, they might be starting to fall apart on the inside, causing a build-up of sludge. A power flush can help sort this out and get your heating system working properly again.

If you want your winter to be a warm one, regular boiler servicing is a good idea and it’ll save you on expensive repairs later on. Only a Gas Safe Registered engineer can perform work on your boiler, so be sure to remember this when you call.