[PLUG-TALK] Solar hot water?

[Galen Seitz]

On 2/6/19 9:50 PM, Dick Steffens wrote:
> On 2/6/19 9:06 PM, Keith Lofstrom wrote:
>> I'm told that solar hot water heating (in addition to a gas
>> hot water heater) is cost effective, even in Oregon.  We
>> plan to replace our ancient plumbing and the hot water
>> heater soon, so I want to plan everything together.
>>
>> Our house is aligned north-south, but south end is sloped
>> and 28 feet wide, if that matters.  There are also simple
>> paths to route insulated pipes.  I worry about structural
>> and pluming penetrations through the roof causing leaks.
>>
>> Perhaps some of you have experiences to share, or can
>> recommend an installer.
> 
> My experience is from the '80s in Massachusetts. We had a two panel, 
> drain back system with a gas, on demand heater for backup. The panels 
> were empty unless they were warm enough to heat water. Water was pumped 
> from a 600 gallon tank in the basement up through a closet and then 
> through the roof. We saw it work during February. I don't have any 
> figures to relate, but we felt like it worked well. Some later buyer 
> must not have liked it, because the panels are gone from the roof in the 
> current Google Earth image.
> 

Since we're poking fun this morning, were you running a spa, or is there 
some other reason you needed a *600* gallon tank?

galen
-- 
Galen Seitz
galens at seitzassoc.com