Questions tagged [solar-thermal]
20 questions
18
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6 answers
Is Electric Central Heating worth it if using Solar Panels?
I understand that electric heating is less efficient and comparatively more expensive than gas heating (propane or natural gas), but considering I live in Texas (a lot of sunlight) and I intend to install solar panels, would it be cheaper and more…
MisterStrickland
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Is it possible to make my own solar water heater?
After blowing (what I consider) a lot of money on 2 residential solar water heaters, over the last 6 years, dealing with 3 set of rather expensive inner-tank replacements, evacuation pipe changes I am considering a DIY approach, using good quality…
bdutta74
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4 answers
How can I add thermal mass to my house?
We're part of a real-time pricing program with our electric utility company, and a good strategy for offsetting electricity use during peak demand times is to pre-cool the house. The more thermal mass that our house has, the more effective the…
glenviewjeff
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1 answer
Does a larger solar water heater equate to better water pressure?
Please excuse my ignorance - we want to buy a typical slanted rooftop solar water heater for our home. We thought 200L would be an acceptable capacity, but the vendor we visited today said that we should have 300L or more. When I explained that we…
Drew
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What factors should I experiment with to improve the performance of a DIY solar hot water system?
Background:
Late in the summer last year I finally commissioned a DIY solar hot water pre-heat project. Very simple, drain back, open (vented) tank, PEX coil for a heat exchanger,
PEX plumbing throughout, panel is about 10x12' with re-purposed…
Jeff Warnica
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1 answer
Where can I find good resources on solar thermal backup options?
The 'what if the sun don't shine' problem is the difficult issue in solar thermal. Where can I find good solid test-based resources on the options for backup and their downsides? For example:
Single tank with gas backup: gas standby losses, heater…
Bryce
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2
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Combining a solar collector with photovoltaics
Our house has 10 solar collector panels, each 1 by 2 meters, installed around 20 years ago. By now their polycarbonate covers are breaking down due to the elements, and we've thought about the possibility of adding a UV-blocking layer above them and…
zovits
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Using solar to heat water
I am designing a compact home on a high elevation in Colorado. There will be a finished basement apartment on a concrete slab and I was thinking of spiraling PVC pipe through the slab to heat it. Instead of converting solar to electric and…
amphibient
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Is it feasible to store adequate thermal solar heat overnight?
I'm considering a passive solar radiant heating installation in the Chicago area and was wondering if it would be feasible to store enough water/energy to support heating for most of the night. The house already has a gas central furnace, and can…
glenviewjeff
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What's the best method of insulating windows against solar heat?
(TL;DR at the end ;) )
I live in Western New York, and while it's pretty uncommon to reach temperatures over 95-100, it still gets pretty hot here, and we typically have 70-90% humidity on top of it.
My son's bedroom has two windows, one which…
brandinomite
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Can I put a PV panel on my roof and run wires into a room to a power resistor to generate heat?
Maybe a dumb idea, but can I just put a PV panel on my roof and run wires into a room to a power resistor to generate heat? I have just one room that I was thinking of adding this additional heat to. I suppose I could prototype the idea by running a…
David Neiss
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3 answers
Combining a thermosiphon sanitary water solar heater with fan coils radiators
I am looking to heat my home as currently I have no system to heat the house.
I have a 300L (65 gallon) thermosiphon water solar heater that heats sanitary water.
My house is built on a platform so it is easy to add plumbings underneath as…
Michael
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Lukewarm water from solar cyclinder heating system
I have a dimplex solar heating system with a water cylinder. Been fine for 5 years but in recent weeks even with hot weather I'm getting 15 seconds of hot water in the kitchen and then lukewarm water thereafter. The bathroom which is slightly…
0
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2 answers
Should solar thermal collectors always be cycling fluid at maximum speed?
I've been reading about DIY solar thermal collectors, and the various ways their performance is influenced. One of the things I learned about solar water heaters for a pool is that it's recommended to run the pump pulling water through the collector…
you786
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Fixing a roof solar heater
At the end of the season last September the highlighted joint in the roof solar heater was gushing a fair bit of water whenever the pump was turned on.
The joint is now still dry. Is it reasonable to add some kind of cement or sealer on the…
Sam
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