The lessons that I learned from the computer model of our solar hot water system are as follows:
- insulate the pipes leading from the basement to the collectors to at least R6, preferably R10
- insulate the storage tank to R50
- install a 1000 litre storage tank
- install 3 collectors
- there is extra heat - install a system to harvest it
We bought the collectors, drainback tank, pipe insulation and other knickknacks from Trimline Design Centre just down the road from the Mill Creek NetZero Home. My builder Peter was very impressed with the clever, simple design of the flat plat collectors that Trimline manufactures. Yes, that’s right, they manufacture solar hot water collectors right here in Edmonton!
Overview
(schematic of the MCNZH solar hot water system) read more... »