What sort of risks are there - Don't get scammed

Sadly the biggest risk is paying significantly more than is appropriate for the product through very effective and often aggressive sales techniques.

Take care to select your solar provider carefully, you should certainly ask for more than one quote and reject the companies that give the hard sell.

Solar water heating systems have been routinely installed in some countries for many years now, so the technology has had time to develop. It is not a new idea and you shouldn’t expect to pay a premium for “the latest technology” - there is no 'latest technology' with solar water heating, its relatively low tech and largely relies on volume (actually surface area)!

Click here to see my comparison between various systems, it shows both flat plate and vacuum tube. You will see that the prices are very similar.

Within the UK , we have been slow to take on this means of collecting solar heat, but can gain by adopting a mature technology with few risks. Unfortunately there are certain companies that are using the same hard sell approach that the worst of the double glazing companies use. The price is the last thing mentioned and even then there is a “smoke and mirrors” attempt at making it seem less than it really is.

Advice

Most important bit of advice - A fairly standard household solar water heating systems cost in the region of £3,500 to £4,500. Any more than £4,000 you need to know why, any more than £5,000 you must do some very careful research, looks like a con!

When you are visited by a salesman of surveyor, prepare yourself by having a view of how much you are currently spending on heating and hot water. The cost of your hot water is relatively easy to work out.

Simply check your fuel consumption during the summer months when the central heating is switched off. Just look up a gas or oil bill from October, that should give a good indication. If that bill shows consumption over a quarter, lets say July to September, a simple rule of thumb (as long as the Heating has been off during this period) double it and that's a ball park figure for what you will save.

Anyway, at least make sure that you have a record of your overall annual spend on heating fuel, don't be bamboozled by the salesman into thinking your spend is greater, and consider that your spend on hot water will be about 1/3rd of the total!

Don't be pressured into thinking that a big selling point is a sign outside your house advertising the installation company.

Nor that you are part of a selected group of properties in your area specially selected for a marketing trial! This is a promotional trick that has been around for years!

Sadly, having a BS9001 or similar is not an indicator of a realistically priced product or an effective system, the standard indicates that the company has a process and satisfies certain business rules.

Clear Skies say: "The cost of a professionally installed solar system for heating hot water can vary significantly. It is therefore important that those considering investing in this technology do as much research as they can to ensure that they are getting the best system for their needs along with value for money. This research should include at least three quotes from reputable suppliers."

With the introduction of the Renewable Heat Incentive, there is no reason for the costs of systems to go up any more than inflation. Unfortunately there will almost certainly be continued high pressure sales - In the Which? report Everest was quoted as giving an initial price of £11,500.

Personal Experience - as a customer

When I initially started looking at installing Solar Water Heating I responded to a leaflet that came through the door. When I responded by telephone I asked for a price or a range of prices. They wouldn't provide even the slightest indication.

Eventually I had a saleman visit, I must admit to forgetting most of what was discussed but he went through various charts saying how much I spent on central heating and hot water. This differred significantly from what I knew I spent. One of the key plus points seemed to be that I would have a sign outside my front advertising the company!

Eventually I said that I wouldn't continue the discussion unless some indication of the likely price was given. At near on £8,000 back in 1999 with energy prices as they were and what appeared to be a fairly small system I suggested politely that he might leave and save his breath!

See other people's comments: Smartenergy , Spectrum Energy ,

Personal Experience - selling

While working at a Public Utility in the Marketing department, I initiated a solar water heating promotion aimed at providing solar water heating systems for as low a price as possible. We had an excellent response and managed to visit 500 homes explaining what solar heating was and could do. No hard sell, just the facts and a price. We sold few systems - in fact 2!

Through a contact I managed to meet and discuss the low sales with a sucecssful solar marketing company, their success rate was 50 times (yes 50 times) greater than ours! They sold exactly the same system but used a very good salesman on clearly a high commission which pushed the price up.

Basically, take a solar water heating system, offer it at rock bottom prices (say £3,000 as we did) and no salesman.

The same system at twice the price (£6,000 as they did), add a salesman and sales go through the roof!

What's the saying about a fool and their money?

Basically, if you have a salesman, an introductory offer and all the other sales mumbo jumbo - you are about to be ripped off!