[RE-wrenches] SHW - parallel tanks

[Hilton Dier III]

Kirk,

After some experience with exactly the complaints you have been getting 
(the sound of the boiler running drives people nuts), I wouldn't install 
SHW on an indirect/boiler system without a bypass. It's just an extra 
pipe and two ball valves. A pipe with a valve going from the output of 
the solar tank to a foot or so after the hot output of the indirect 
tank. The other valve goes in between that tee and the indirect tank. 
Have them turn off the boiler in the summer, close one valve and open 
the other. The customers who care will do it. Without the bypass you'll 
get people who turn off their boiler in the summer and complain because 
they have to run the entire contents of the indirect tank out the faucet 
to get hot water.

You can add a little backup to this by sticking a 1400W electric element 
in the solar tank and setting the thermostat to 120F. That way, even in 
a rainy summer you'll never get a call.

Hilton

-- 
Hilton Dier III
Renewable Energy Design
Partner, Solar Gain LLC
453 East Hill Rd.
Middlesex, VT 05602
Tel: 802-223-6652

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