[RE-wrenches] Building integrated thermal collectors?

[Karl Schwingel]

I will beg to differ on the space heating properties.  domestic hot 
water can use any degree above about 50 degF here in wisconsin.  every 
btu reduces the load on the backup water heater.  pool heating is just 
fine with anything above  80 degrees or so (pool temps 80-85 deg) and 
space heating is the tricky one because it needs temps minimum of 60 deg 
above ambient.   say 80 deg on a 20 deg winter day for infloor heating, 
much higher for fan coils and other convective devices.  

There's someone here in the upper midwest peddling something similar to 
the amercian solar air to water heater, and that's fine, but what 
happens when something fails and the HX freezes.  I've heard too many 
stories about the HX's freezing overnight and thawing when the sun comes 
out, presto, impromptu indoor pool.  not on my watch cap'n. 

what worries me is that dawn solar is peddling their collector to a 
potential customer as a space heating option.   he wants us to install 
it, and I'm willing to do it, but ONLY with a huge signed neon rotating, 
I TOLD YOU SO!!!.  

karl out.



mick abraham wrote:
> Thanks, Kurt & Ian~
>
> The Dawn Solar arrangement makes me think of a similar looking setup from
> American Solar: http://americansolar.com/product-solar-roof.htm
>
> The American Solar setup heats air which they claim can then heat water. Hmm. 
>
> My inner geek suspects that both of these systems would yield only low
> temperature rise...which would be OK for pool heating or even for space
> heating...but for DHW? Hmm. Both of these systems remind me of unglazed
> swimming pool collectors.
>
> Glass is old school, low tech, breakable, and there's that nagging low R-value
> problem. Even so, glass really has some marvelous properties. The "greenhouse
> effect" makes glass behave similar to a selective surface. 
>
> Ian's note about the Velux integrated collectors is also appreciated. There
> are some excellent how to videos on the Velux website which may be of interest
> to other List members.
>
> Anyone in the SW Rockies who might be interested in pooling an order for Velux
> gear in order to save freight costs may contact me off list.
>
> Thanks again,
>
> Mick Abraham, Proprietor
> www.abrahamsolar.com
> Voice: 970-731-4675
>
> ---------- Original Message -----------
> From: Kurt Albershardt <info at es-ee.com>
> To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> Sent: Sat, 27 Dec 2008 09:36:27 -0800
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Building integrated thermal collectors?
>
>   
>> --On Saturday, December 27, 2008 8:08 AM -0700 mick abraham 
>> <mick at abrahamsolar.com> wrote:
>>     
>>> I'm looking for thermal collectors which integrate into the roof of the
>>>       
> building. These would heat glycol to modest temperatures, for domestic hot water.
>   
>> Dawn Solar uses a design which effectively puts radiant floor tubing 
>> just below the metal roof panels.  They were not particularly 
>> forthcoming when I asked for more info.
>>
>> I suspect you could use Rehau Raupanel in a similar fashion.
>>
>> <http://dawnsolar.com/gallery/TherDSS-StandingSeamClip.JPG>
>>
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-- 
Karl Schwingel
NABCEP Certified Solar Thermal Installer
NorthWind Renewable Energy LLC

PO Box 723 Stevens Point, WI 54481
Karl at Northwindre.com
Cell: 715 209 0446
Fax : 715 952 4501


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