Solverter® – Roof-Powered Heat Pump
Solverter® – Roof-Powered Heat Pump
The Solverter® system uses the roof of a building to capture energy from the air and sunlight. It’s based on a special roofing material called Thexpan®, made by Solcraft®. This material is not only an energy-efficient roofing option but also has built-in features that allow it to act as a heat absorber.
The Thexpan® panel includes coil pipes and a sheet that work together to create a heat exchanger. This allows you to connect it to heat storage tanks and a heat pump, which uses a liquid (glycol) to circulate in the system and collect heat.
On sunny days, the Solverter® system can provide free energy to heat water (DHW) and the home’s central heating—without needing a heat pump at all. A large, sun-exposed roof area ensures that even short periods of sunlight can still generate enough heat to flow into the tanks, something traditional solar collectors can’t do as effectively.
When the weather isn’t sunny, Solverter® taps into thermal energy from the air. The glycol in the heat exchanger absorbs this air heat, boosting the performance of the heat pump by giving it a warmer input temperature, making the system more efficient.
One of Solverter®’s main advantages is that it’s cheaper, quicker to install, and more energy-efficient than other low-cost heating systems, like ground-source heat pumps. Since it uses the roof as the heat source, there’s no need for expensive digging or drilling, and no permits or geological surveys are required. This makes the system easier for anyone to invest in, with less hassle and no need to coordinate specialists.
The system is also unobtrusive. The Thexpan® panels are integrated into the roof and aren’t visible from the outside. They don’t make any noise, disturb the surrounding area, or affect how the land around the building can be used.
Like other heat pump systems, Solverter® is a low-temperature system, designed for buildings that have the right energy needs. The Solverter® heating system has the following properties:
- It uses renewable energy.
- It’s very energy-efficient.
- It won’t interfere with your building or its surroundings.
- It’s easy to install and doesn’t require much upkeep.
- It has low installation and operating costs.
- It helps reduce air pollution without increasing heating costs.
While Solverter® can lower the amount of energy needed to heat a building, it’s important to note that energy needs for domestic hot water (DHW) usually stay the same or even increase, thanks to modern living habits. Heating DHW costs more than space heating, so the system is designed to meet the higher temperature needs for DHW while still being energy-efficient for both heating and hot water.
Whether it’s sunny or not, Solverter® can meet up to 100% of a building’s heating and hot water needs, depending on the severity of the winter. If extra energy is needed during particularly cold periods, an electric heater can be used as a backup.
The Solverter® system is one of the most cost-effective options for heating when compared to traditional systems (gas, pellets, wood, coal, heating oil, or electricity).
It can be installed in both new and existing buildings, with only a roof replacement and the right type of heating system needed. For areas without gas access, Solverter® can replace coal- or wood-burning systems, using only electricity, sunlight, and air. Plus, since it relies on renewable energy sources, it’s tax-free!