Solution for freezing pipes? [RE-wrenches]

[Steve Willey - Backwoods Solar Electric]

For freeze proofing, it depends on the nature of the house. I have used all
the suggestions below where suitable, I realize none of them may apply to
the house you are asking about. Heat tape works in larger systems especially
when generator back-up is a factor anyway, but can really add up if the pipe
runs are long. I really avoid heat tape in favor of more natural energy
solutions, where it will work.  here are a few I or customers have used:

Best to design or change that so the areas with pipes will never freeze, and
keep pipes in only interior walls, none against outside. In fact if you get
to the customer before its built, plumbing can be done in an accessible
closet between kitchen and bath rather than below the floors. But there is
always at least that transition from underground up to the floor.

For the problem spots where pipe goes from ground to house, I have used DC
timer controlled valves if water is plentiful.  You can pulse a valve on 1
second every 5 minutes to run a utility sink just enough to give a complete
change of water in the exposed pipes. Other customers have ringed the pipe
from ground to floor with an insulated cylinder of sheet metal or a cut drum
or something and used a muffin fan to push house air down into that small
cavity around the pipe. One customer actually insulated a longer runs with a
small copper pipe taped to the supply pipe then wrapped well in insulation,
and circulated heated water through the small one, again a timer and pump to
circulate the hot through the loop about  30 seconds or so out of every 5 or
10 minutes.  That's a bigger project but still low energy.

But for best security in extreme conditions For DC pumps, I use drainback
valves, so when the pump is off the lines drain back out a valve 15 feet
down the well (so the whole down pipe isn't drained unnecessarily). Use a
normally open DC powered valve, so the drainback closes when pump is powered
and opens when pump goes off. For AC pumps you can just remove the check
valve in the top of the pump rather than setting up an electric drain valve.
Of course pipes have to be properly planned and sloped for that, and have
vacuum relief at the highest point.  Designed right, this can empty all the
supply pipes while leaving pressure or gravity tanks and supply lines all
functioning in the home until next fill is needed.

Steve Willey   www.backwoodssolar.com
Backwoods Solar Electric Systems
A catalog business on a mountain
2 miles from utility lines,
powered entirely by our catalog products.
IF UTILITY POWER IS 1/2 MILE OR MORE FROM YOUR SITE,
get our free 160 page solar-electric Planning Guide/Catalog.
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----- Original Message -----
From: Wes Kennedy <wkennedy at jademountain.com>
To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Monday, February 14, 2000 1:32 PM
Subject: Solution for freezing pipes? [RE-wrenches]


> Howdy List,
>
> What is the best design practice for dealing with keeping pipes from
> freezing.  I have a client that has an unheated crawl and exposed
> plumbing.  Located in High Altitude Colorado.
>
> Do folks design in heat tape and the pv to run it?
> Solar thermal solutions?
> Propane fired thermostatically controlled heaters?
> Leave the water running?
>
> thanks!
> Wes
>
>
> Wes Kennedy
> Evolutionary Technologist
>
> "Your philosophy is not what you believe, it's how you live!"
> -j rubin
>
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_____________________________________________________________
Who will win the Oscars? Spout off on our Entertainment list!
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