Frequently Asked Questions
How long have aquatech been in Business?
Aquatech have been in business since 1991.
What types of Renewable energy do Aquatech supply?
Aquatech supply everything from solar flat plate, solar tubes, solar P.V, Air to water heat pumps,Wood gasification boilers, Oil condensing boilers, District Heating pipe, wind turbines, heating controls as well as underfloor heating, showers, booster pumps and many more systems, just have a look at our online store or contact us if you can't find what you are looking for.
We supply many well known brands including PolarBear, Austroflex and Euroflex to name just a few.
How can I reduce my energy bills in my house?
Aquatech supply many products that can help reduce your bills, like installing solar or updating your controls. We offer a free site survey so we can assess what best suits your needs, just contact one of our staff to make an appointment. We pride ourselves on our technical know how and honest information.
Before considering upgrading or changing your existing heating system, it is vital to look at your buildings energy requirements. Firstly make sure your building is as energy efficient as possible by looking at insulating correctly to very high standards. Pumping heat into a leaky building does not resolve high heating costs.
If I am building or renovating how can I get a quote for what I need?
Aquatech offer a free no obligation quotation service, all you have to do is contact a meber of our staff to discuss your requirements or you can simply post or email a copy of your property your plans to us.
A proper written quotation can only be provided if to scale plans are supplied to Aquatech.
Are aquatech's products registered under the SEI Grants system?
All relevant products that fall into the renewable energy product listing on Sustainable Energy Ireland's list are registered with the greener homes scheme. If you wish to fill out an application form to apply for a grant, you can contact one of our staff and we would be more than happy to help you. Alternatively we can fill out the application for you, or you can log on to SEI on
www.sei.ie/greenerhomes and dowload the relevant forms.
What is a Polar Bear Air To Water Heatpump?
A Polar Bear air to water heat pump transfers free energy from the air that passes across the condenser into the refrigerant and from there to the water in the heating system. It is run on electricity and has efficiencies of over 300%.
What temperature is a Polar Bear air to water heat pump capable of heating?
A Polar Bear air to water heat pump capable of heating water up to a 60oC. The controller is set to limit the output to a maximum of 55oC. This is to protect the compressor from always running at its limits which dramatically extends the life span of the unit.
What is the best form of heating to use in conjuction with an Air to water heat pump?
The best form of heating to use with a Polar Bear air to water heat pump is underfloor heating, purely because of the low return temperatures. The lower the return temperature to any form of heat pump, the more efficient it operates.
Is an Air to water heatpump as efficient as a ground source heat pump?
A Polar Bear air to water heat pump has an average COP of 3.2 (320%) efficiency versus a COP of approximately 4 (400%) on a ground source heat pump. The reason is simple, an air to water heat pump reverse cycles to melt ice that forms on the condenser when it freezes to prevent it damaging itself from excessive freezing, when the heat pump is pulling energy from very cold air. When the heat pump is in reverse cycle mode it is dumping a small quantity of heat in the condenser, thus giving a lower average yearly efficiency.
A ground source heat pump is always pulling energy from a more stable temperature platform of around 8 to 10oC, thus eliminating the need to reverse cycle.
Taking the efficiency differences into consideration and comparing the costs of purchasing similarly sized units, the pay back on a ground source heat pump is over 40 year longer than an air source heat pump!
Why should I use a Polar Bear air to water heat pump over a ground source heat pump?
Polar Bear Air to Water heat pump Ground Source heat pump
Cost Starting from 2000 euro Starting from 12000 euro
Installation Approximately 1000 euro Approximately 3000 euro
Bore Hole N/A Approximately 5000 euro
Excavation N/A Approximately 3000 euro
Total 3000 euro Starting from 18000 euro
Based on efficiency differences of 25% less for air to water, a house that costs 750 euro per year to heat with a ground source heat pump, costs around 1000 euro per year with an air source. The difference is 250 euro. Difference in initial outlay is 15000 euro. Divide the difference in outlay by extra running cost of 250 euro per year and the payback on the equivalent ground source heat pump is 60 years!!!
Where should a heat pump be located?
An air to water heat pump has a fan, it must be positioned away from human interaction and direct wind. Therefore is should be mounted high on the wall of a garage etc.
Is there a grant for a Polar Bear air to water heat pump?
All homes over one year old will qualify for a grant from SEI, as long as you have not recieved a grant already. New homes being built will not qualify. The Grant for an Air to water system is currently €2000.
You can contact us for more information at info@aquatech.ie or contact SEI on www.sei.ie/greenerhomes
Is there really enough sunlight in Ireland for solar to work?
Yes, Ireland recieves slightly more than half of the solar energy recieved at the equator, ample to operate a solar water heating system. A typical solar water heating system in Ireland provides 50% - 70% of annual domestic hot water requirements, this is spread over the year.
Will solar work on cloudy days?
Yes, a solar system provides heat input even on cloudy days by utilizing energy from diffuse light. In Winter the system will pre-heat the water in your cylinder, meaning the solar sytem will make meaningful reductions to your gas, oil or electricity consumption throughout the year.
Who installs the solar system?
Solar systems are generally installed by trained heating contractors. Aquatech can recommend installers nationwide in your area who are insured, price competative and are of a high calibre, guaranteeing an excellent job.
How long will it take to install?
A Polar Bear solar system can be installed in 1 to 2 days by the installer, with a minimum of disruption and mess. This is dependant on the roof type, height etc.
Can a Polar Bear solar system be installed in any direction on the roof?
A Polar Bear solar system should ideally be installed somewhere between southeast and southwest and at a slope 43o orientation. they can also be mounted onto a frame if you have a flat roof or in a garden.
If a southern inclination is not suitable, a direction of east west will function, this is otherwise called a split system. For further infomation email info@aquatech.ie or contact one of our technical staff.
Do I need to replace my cylinder for a dual coil if I am installing Solar?
Absolutely not. Aquatech have a system which allows you to hold onto your existing cylinder if the volume suits the amount of panels or tubes required in the installation. A special solar pumping station with a built in plate exchanger is used. This also reduces the initial cost of purchasing and installing the Polar Bear solar system.
For further information email info@aquatech.ie or contact one of our technical staff.
What are the savings from solar?
Solar panels can provide up to 70% of your hot water needs, one square meter recieves the equivalent of more than 100 litres of free oil per year. If you were to install a 3 panel Polar Bear solar system (6m2), you would be saving over 600 litres of oil a year.
What are the differences between Solar flat panels and solar tubes?
Flat panels are more efficient on low to medium temperatures, where as solar tubes are more efficient on medium to high temperatures. Overall tubes have up to 20% higher performance output per year. Flat plate panels can be integrated into the roof resembling a roof window. Tubes cannot be integrated into the roof and can look more unsightly. Flat plate panels have double the warranty of tubes. Tubes are not as durable from the impact of balls etc.
What is the Warranty on your solar panels?
Polar Bear Flat plate panels have a standard 10 year warranty which Aquatech extend to 20 years
Polar Bear tubes have a standard warranty of 5 year which Aquatech extend to 10 years.
The reasons for the extension in the warranty period is down to the high quality of Polar Bears tried and tested products.
Do I qualify for a grant for Solar?
All homes over one year old will qualify for a grant from SEI, as long as you have not recieved a grant already. New homes being built will not qualify. The Solar Grant is €250 per meter squared for flat panels and €300 per meter square for solar tubes.
You can contact us for more information on info@aquatech.ie or contact SEI on www.sei.ie/greenerhomes