Question:
> I’ll be building a new house and am considering using a solar hot > water system to augment the standard natural gas furnace for heating > the house.
The solar system in my former home was much less ambitious: the Carter- era system only augmented the electric water heater. I will say that the hot water was almost free, as far as I can tell. Often, the water heater was off for weeks at a time; once in a great while we would get caught without hot water because of a succession of cloudy days. It’s well worth doing the research on what you can do … I would think that you would save money and enhance the value of your home. — Mark Hankins
Response:
Back in the early 70’s I got a grand from the State (Maryland) to Install a Solar Hot water system… (Actually it was a Sloar Lottery not a grant). Anyway the system was just for hot water.. And it worked… lowered my electric bill (I am total Electric) about 25 bucks a month (1970’s dollars). The unit functioned until a few years ago when the stone lined storage tank rusted thru..and I just disconnected the entire thing. Anyway a 5000 gal storage tank to run a water to air heat pump seems to me like its way way too small…. I like the idea of water to air…and would seriously think about those systems… My ground water is 55 degrees year round which is perfect for a water to air system BUT.. You need two wells yada yada and when I last checked (20 years ago) it was totally impractical… If I were building today…and needed a well for my water supply I sure would look into a water to air system….. Bob Griffiths – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I’ll be building a new house and am considering using a solar hot water > system to augment the standard natural gas furnace for heating the > house. With the increasing costs of gas I’d like to consider adding > solar if it’s practical. I know it’s good from an environmental > standpoint but several builders I’ve talked to feel that it’s not cost > effective. I’m looking for recommendations from those who have tried > this type of system for heating. > My situation is that I already have 12 solar panels (copper plate type) > that I’d like to use. They’re rated at 5,000 BTUs each. My plan, if > feasible, is to use a a 2500-5000 gallon underground storage tank as a > reservoir and use a water-to-air heat exchanger and draw from that as > needed. I’m in a fairly sunny area of northern CA and my lot is on a > hill with a good southwest exposure. > I’d like to hear from anyone who has tried this a get your opinions. > Thanks, > Larry
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I’ll be building a new house and am considering using a solar hot water > system to augment the standard natural gas furnace for heating the > house. With the increasing costs of gas I’d like to consider adding > solar if it’s practical. I know it’s good from an environmental > standpoint but several builders I’ve talked to feel that it’s not cost > effective. I’m looking for recommendations from those who have tried > this type of system for heating. > I’d like to hear from anyone who has tried this a get your opinions. > Thanks, > Larry
Hi Larry, I’ve been living in a solar home in Durham NC since 1990. The solar provides typical hot water and heat in the winter. It is great! The house is roughly 1800sf. Red paving brick on top of a slab for flooring. Quilted curtains that ride tightly in tracks. Totally electric. In a time when gas, oil and electric costs keep rising, I haven’t had a bill over $35/month. My co-workers are all paying anywhere from $120-$350/month in utility costs. YMMV, but if given the opportunity, I’d buy and use solar again without a second thought. Vicki
Response:
I’ll be building a new house and am considering using a solar hot water system to augment the standard natural gas furnace for heating the house. With the increasing costs of gas I’d like to consider adding solar if it’s practical. I know it’s good from an environmental standpoint but several builders I’ve talked to feel that it’s not cost effective. I’m looking for recommendations from those who have tried this type of system for heating. My situation is that I already have 12 solar panels (copper plate type) that I’d like to use. They’re rated at 5,000 BTUs each. My plan, if feasible, is to use a a 2500-5000 gallon underground storage tank as a reservoir and use a water-to-air heat exchanger and draw from that as needed. I’m in a fairly sunny area of northern CA and my lot is on a hill with a good southwest exposure. I’d like to hear from anyone who has tried this a get your opinions. Thanks, Larry
Response:
Usually, active solar heating systems are more a hobby than a cost saver. However, you already have "free" collector panels so you don’t need to pay for that part of the system. If it gets below freezing in your area you will need to run an antifreeze and may want to consider a non-toxic one in case of heat exchanger leaks. Your idea would work. That is a hell of a big tank for domestic water, I’d think. Actual purpose made insulation would be better than earth IMHO. If you put the tank inside the structure, its waste heat would help warm the house. But in cooling season you’d want to ventilate well to prevent the very same result, so what is more important for the house, heating or cooling? That might help you decide if you want it outside or not. Good luck, -v. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->My situation is that I already have 12 solar panels (copper plate type) >that I’d like to use. They’re rated at 5,000 BTUs each. My plan, if >feasible, is to use a a 2500-5000 gallon underground storage tank as a >reservoir and use a water-to-air heat exchanger and draw from that as >needed. I’m in a fairly sunny area of northern CA and my lot is on a >hill with a good southwest exposure. >I’d like to hear from anyone who has tried this a get your opinions. >Thanks, >Larry
Response:
I applaud your consideration of natural heating, but share your reserves about the cost effectiveness of active systems. My suggestions: 1. Select a house design that maximizes the exposure in the winter, but provides adequate protection in the summer. This would be lots of windows opening onto hard surfaces that store heat, like marble, tile, etc. This will let the area heat up during the (quite hot, actually) and radiate the heat during the evening. You need to incorporate these concepts into the house design from the very beginning. Adding them after the fact just doesn’t work. 2. Use your solar panels to heat your hot water for showers. P
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’ll be building a new house and am considering using a solar hot water > system to augment the standard natural gas furnace for heating the > house. With the increasing costs of gas I’d like to consider adding > solar if it’s practical. I know it’s good from an environmental > standpoint but several builders I’ve talked to feel that it’s not cost > effective. I’m looking for recommendations from those who have tried > this type of system for heating. > My situation is that I already have 12 solar panels (copper plate type) > that I’d like to use. They’re rated at 5,000 BTUs each. My plan, if > feasible, is to use a a 2500-5000 gallon underground storage tank as a > reservoir and use a water-to-air heat exchanger and draw from that as > needed. I’m in a fairly sunny area of northern CA and my lot is on a > hill with a good southwest exposure. > I’d like to hear from anyone who has tried this a get your opinions. > Thanks, > Larry
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