Site survey request & information
Thank you for your interest in our company, each system we install is tailor made to your specification, no two installations are exactly the same.
That’s why we are called ‘Astral Solutions’!
I have written a simple explanation of what we look for when we come out on a survey and how we size a system and the possible solutions, later you can fill in the reply form and request your no obligation site survey.
In order to understand everything on this page you will need to cross reference to our Products page and Techninal Information page.
I hope you find this useful and saves you time.
Step 1. The direction of the roof
One of the first things we ask, is which direction the roof faces.
South facing is the most favourable, but anything from SE through SW works well.
East- West facing is possible, but we will need to talk you through the different solutions available.
Step 2. The Pitch of the roof
As well as the direction, we will need to know the pitch or angle of the roof.
The most favourable pitch we are looking for is 45 degrees; this will give you a good solar gain in the winter as well as the summer.
Of course you are stuck with the pitch you have, but we need to know for sizing which I will explain later.
In some cases if the pitch is low, ie 20 degrees, we can put a frame on the roof to increase the angle. (Planning permission given of course!)
Step 3. Sizing the system
The size of system, or number of collectors is calculated not on the size of house, but the amount of hot water needed per day, and indirectly the number of bathrooms.
The collectors can then be sized together with the amount of hot water needed. (In many cases I have seen to much collector and too little water storage, resulting in continual overheating of the circuit.)
It is important to remember that the hot water storage and collectors are paired together.
We need to know how many people live in the house, and the future potential of the property. I.e. two adults presently occupied but is 4 bed two bath
We will also bring the other factor of the roof pitch to end up with final amount of collector needed.
We will also need to find out which type of hot water system you have, and what will be fitted.
Step 4. It doesn’t fit!
Once we have discussed with you your requirements, we will need to find out if we can physically fit in the hot water storage or if the collectors will fit on the roof.
In many cases we will need to tweak what is actually physically possible to accommodate the dimensions in the property.
We will also need to work out the proposed route for the pipe work.
In the form, please let us know the roof type and location of the hot water cylinder.
In the survey we will need to inspect the loft space and airing cupboard if you have one. If you are having a loft room fitted, we will need to carefully work out the collector location and pipe run.
Step 5. The boiler and heating control.
We will need to inspect the boiler and heating controls.
New regulations request us by Law, (See Part L of the building regs)that should we find any part of your current heating controls to be below current standards that the system be upgraded. This applies only if we remove and exchange for new, the hot water cylinder or boiler. For further information please click here to view a pdf of the TACHMA Guide. This guide will provide information on what is required to be upgraded by law.
On the reply form below, please let us know what type of heating system you have.
Step 6. Pump, controller and Scaffolding
To complete the survey we will need to know the proposed location of the pump and controller. (Please see products page for reference) We will need to know whether power is available.
We will advise you whether you will need to have scaffolding.
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