Solar Space & Water Heating System
-- With Folding Collectors!
This is a really well done
project by Kenneth that provides solar domestic water heating along with
substantial space heating.
Some of the unique features
covered:
- A folding collector to
reduce excess collector area during the summer.
- A combination of
storage shed
and collectors that provide a lot of collector area and look good.
- A homemade
"Tee-puller" to construct the collector riser to manifold joint.
- Using a surplus
stainless steel bulk milk tank for heat storage.
I really like what Kenneth
has done with this design. The combination of
using vertical collectors, and the end collectors that fold inward should
eliminate any tendency for the collectors to overheat in the summer.
With a reflective snow in front of the vertical collectors, they should
do very well in the winter -- especially with the double
glazing.
Thanks very much to Kenneth
for providing the details on the project!
Winter Position
Eight active collectors.
Summer Position and Kenneth
Four active collectors.
Details from
Kenneth:
Overview
I found Gary’s Site
and always wanted to do something solar. After reading about different designs, I
decided on a cross between Gary’s solar shed and a
$1000 solar water heater.
So, the system provides both domestic water heating and space heating.
Reasons:
1) I could use
a lawn shed
2) Reasonably Easy to build
3) Store heat for nighttime use
4) No Antifreeze to leak
5) Can be used for Space Heating and Domestic Hot Water
6) If it works in Big Sky Country it will Probably work in the Land of
10,000 Lakes
7) Affordability
I use the water
from the tank for space heating with under-floor radiant heating (stapled up ½
inch PEX pipe). I have found that I can run the radiant space heating pump
and then use my off peak electric baseboard heaters to control the temperature
in the house. My tank temperature rarely exceeds 90 degrees so I’m using all
heat I produce. I have quite a few cloudy days, but when it is very
cold (-10F) the sun is out and and the tank really heats up!! .
Table of Contents for the Construction Details
Kenneth has
provided a lot of detail on the construction -- the links below provide
full details on each area...
Making a pipe flaring tool for the collector riser to
manifold joints.
If you have questions or comments:
Use the Comments section below, or
Kenneth
participates in the
Yahoo Solar Heat discussion group, so that's a good way to ask questions
-- if you post your question on the discussion group, everyone will learn
from the question and answer, or
If you want to
email Kenneth, you can get him at: kennethwers AT yahoo DOT com
(replace AT with @, and DOT with a period).
