Start a solar heating group? [RE-wrenches]

[allan]

Wrenches,
    We, too, are adding solar heating.  In our case, it's a natural
evolution, as we have been working for 2-3 years on a hydronic
control/distribution package for off-grid apps.  We got into this because of
the need to reduce the electrical waste in increasingly popular hydronic
heating systems.  In-floor heat naturally works with solar panels.
    To do this, we are working with an independent licensed plumber to
install the water pumping, hydronic, and SDHW systems that we design and
sell.  There's an underserved market in our area, and we're taking training
courses as available.  We have decided not to take on service of existing
systems at this time. (We'll review this decision when we have more
experience.)
    I suspect that this is a field that is returning to favor after a long
dark period.  It also seems to be a natural expansion for some or most PV
wrenches.  So I'd like to see a see a separate wrenches forum (if one is not
already active) for solar thermal, that sets a lower standard of experience,
so that many of us wrenches can learn from each other and from any pipe
wrenches that have been around since the First Wave of Subsidised Solar.

Allan at Positive Energy
-----Original Message-----
From: John Blittersdorf, Cent. VT Solar & Wind <cvsolar at aol.com>
To: RE-wrenches at topica.com <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Date: Friday, November 24, 2000 8:23 PM
Subject: Re: Start a solar heating group? [RE-wrenches]


>Michael,
>   I kind of like Windy's "Pipe Wrenches".  I think solar hot water and
solar
>heating are the same technology, just a different end use of the energy.
The
>total solar house concept is one that we should all strive for.  As for me,
I
>don't care if it is a separate group or the same.  I guess it depends on
>whether most of us are involved with both or not.  Maybe we need a head
count
>of wrenches doing both.
>
> I have been intrigued with radiant floor heat and have started on it in my
>home,  pipe is in under one stone floor.  I have been collecting used hot
>water panels but I think the fact that I haven't moved forward on the
project
>is that I haven't felt confident about the design.  It would be nice to
>bounce ideas off the whole group before jumping in.
>
>   Pump efficiency is definitely a big item off grid and that is part of
our
>electrical side... it's all mixed together, just as all lighting loads and
>appliances are.
>
>John Blittersdorf
>CVSolar
>
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The archive of previous messages: 
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To unsubscribe send a message to: 
 RE-wrenches-unsubscribe at topica.com

To check out the other RE-Wrench participants:
 www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/index.html

Hosted by Home Power magazine: 
 www.homepower.com

For info contact list moderator by email:
 michael.welch at homepower.com

___________________________________________________________
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