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WHO NEEDS HOT WATER AND SPACE HEATERS?

We have a family of 3, and haven't paid an electric bill in 8 years. We heat water with a 42 gallon solar heater. If you want to heat your home.. build a "SUN-ROOM" addition on the south side of your house, and install as much thermal mass as you can fit inside. Then, you can sell your furnace to someone in Siberia! Ciao!

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Permalink Reply by Susan B on July 25, 2008 at 7:51pm
That might work in NM, but not in the North.
Permalink Reply by Paul on July 25, 2008 at 8:06pm
Susan,
It's possible almost ANYWHERE... you just need a modified setup. ie: more insulation, more thermal mass. Of course those who are willing to invest in their own energy independence will profit sooner than those who wait ;-)
Permalink Reply by Susan B on July 25, 2008 at 8:29pm
Love your pic! Even in Maine?
Permalink Reply by Paul on July 25, 2008 at 8:39pm
If I lived in Maine, I would certainly try to do anything I could to lower my utility bills! I know it's a BIG investment to build a "Solarium" on an existing home. However, if done properly, it may allow you to use much less fuel and electricity than you are currently consuming ;-) If you need more help, please feel free to direct email at:

info@groundzerosolar.com
Permalink Reply by American in the D.R. on July 26, 2008 at 7:07am
What works for one person in one place does not make it good for everyone. Each individual should look at what they have, what they desire, what is practicle and what they can afford. Lots of research, planning and re-thinking.

Then do!

Good luck
Permalink Reply by Paul on July 26, 2008 at 9:33am
A few things i DO know.. the sun comes up EVERYDAY.. the wind is present almost everywhere on the planet very frequently. Those are the two forms of energy we need to look at most since they are FREE and ever-present, and will never be depleted. IF one wishes to convert to Solar / Wind, it certainly Do-able in most places in the US.. even in Maine ;-) Affordability is another matter.
Permalink Reply by SJC on August 3, 2008 at 1:16am
There is a housing complex in Canada that is totally solar thermally heated. If they can do it in Canada, I think that they can do it in Minnesota.

http://www.dlsc.ca/borehole.htm
Permalink Reply by Henrik on July 26, 2008 at 4:25am
Hi Paul,
what kind of solar thermals do you install?If it is the standart collector with circulation pump and external storage tanke, pies etc.. I might have a product that is of great interest for you.
The new generation of solar water heaters, just won the energy globe national award. This new system integrates the hot water storage tank directly into the collector. As the system is ready to use only water connection needs to be done. Its a flat plate collector with heatpipe technology. So the effciency is very high. Its saves lots of investment costs, installation materials and installation time. Our US distribution partner is http://www.energybrightsolar.com so you migh also check the system there on their website. We are planing to setup a factory in the USA to reduce transportation costs and the expensive euro buying. Please let me know what do you think of the system, it would be nice just to have some feedback. My mail hp@personngroup.com

Anyhow, wish you all the best,
Regards, Henrik
Permalink Reply by Paul on July 26, 2008 at 9:36am
I build everything as a custom installation. My collectors and storage tanks are also in one unit, and properly installed, provide nearly as much hot water as needed. I will check out your website. Thanks!
Permalink Reply by Jeff Smoley on July 26, 2008 at 5:23pm
I did look at the site. No mention of what it would cost. I live in S. Florida, is this Dade county approved? (Hurricane certification). You also need a heat exchanger and a pump to send the fluid between the panel and the regular water heater. If you only take cold water in and hot water out to the regular heater, the savings only start if you use most of the tank of water, unless you have the circulation system.
Permalink Reply by Henrik on July 26, 2008 at 5:32pm
Hi Jeff, in newly build homes you do not need to connect any regular water heater as there is an 1 1/2 inch backup heater space available in the boiler itself. Also if you feed the existing regular water heater, you just spend the water which is in the pipe, from roof to hot water storage. In a standard house this should not be more than a galon. From there on you start to save. As most of the houses have thermostatic heaters they will either switch off or just adjust a little heat which is required.
If you isolate you hot water pipes properly you will minimize heatloss between solar thermal and hot water storage tank.
So maybe circulation pump and heat exchanger can be saved. ?? What do you think?
Permalink Reply by Jeff Smoley on July 26, 2008 at 5:47pm
It depends on the route the water takes. I am taking about adding to an existing house.
Now: Cold water comes in, goes to HW heater and sits there being heated all the time. When you turn on the water, it begins to exit the tank and the new water coming in begins to cool of the water in the tank, and the heater switches on.

If you put the solar unit between the cold water in and the current tank, you (during the day) do keep the water warmer when you are using the water, but it has no benefit unless water is flowing. The idea of using a heat exchanger in the present water tank and a pump to circulate fluid between the solar heater and the current heater will keep you from heating your water between use.
Your panel could be placed between a pool's filter return and the pool as a supplementary heater. A solar HW system is more than just a panel and a roof tank.

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