28
votes
Is Electric Central Heating worth it if using Solar Panels?
Passive solar design before you build
On a new build, your very first stop is passive solar design. Strutting forward and designing a bad old stickhouse, and then bolting on solar as an afterthought,...
18
votes
Is Electric Central Heating worth it if using Solar Panels?
Assuming that you are (a) on the regular electric utility grid and (b) are on the regular natural gas delivery system (i.e., don't require propane deliveries), as a general rule, natural gas heating ...
12
votes
Is Electric Central Heating worth it if using Solar Panels?
If you design the solar thermal correctly, then given the annual solar insolation ( higher than my location in EU by about a factor of 2) then with good insulation you can avoid heating at all.
But ...
- 28.1k
5
votes
Is Electric Central Heating worth it if using Solar Panels?
Start with efficiency
Harper's overall point about starting with an efficient envelope is dead-on; managing solar gains is going to be a huge part of it down in Texas, and you'll also need to be ...
- 85.1k
3
votes
Is Electric Central Heating worth it if using Solar Panels?
If you have enough solar in place to manage cooling during the summer, you probably have enough solar to manage heating during the winter. The question is if you can get more money from selling the ...
- 2,512
2
votes
Solar powered thermal ballast - is it feasible?
Any dark colored mass would become a passive solar heater for when the sun goes away and the room begins to cool. The mass could be as simple as concrete blocks, tiles or as costly as eutectic tube ...
- 12.5k
2
votes
Accepted
Should solar thermal collectors always be cycling fluid at maximum speed?
In some mythical world where nothing else mattered, pumping your working fluid at maximum speed does limit the temperature rise of the collector surface, which limits the re-radiation of heat from the ...
- 223k
2
votes
Accepted
How does a roof replacement impact recommended timing of solar panel installation?
You certainly don't want to install the solar panels before redoing the roof. Outside of that obvious point, I don't think it matters much. In Theory, having the panel supports installed as part of ...
- 32k
1
vote
Combining a thermosiphon sanitary water solar heater with fan coils radiators
Try this link it will give you a lot of information especially from the links contained within. https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/solar-water-heaters You need to determine how much heat you need in ...
- 7,044
1
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Combining a thermosiphon sanitary water solar heater with fan coils radiators
Normally a heat exchanger is used to separate the closed-loop recirculation and the potable hot water. IF all the parts contacting the liquid in the heating path are potable-water safe, you might not ...
- 223k
1
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Combining a thermosiphon sanitary water solar heater with fan coils radiators
Those fan coils are supposed to be used with a heat pump for heat and AC. What you're proposing to do will only give you heat so you might be better off with just hydronic baseboards. You'd need ...
- 83.5k
1
vote
Should solar thermal collectors always be cycling fluid at maximum speed?
You mentioned a solar pool heater in the first paragraph then switched to a solar collector for air in the second paragraph. Are you looking at "eutectic solar collectors" or sensible heat ...
- 12.5k
1
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Fixing a roof solar heater
I doubt sealer from the outside will be any sort of long-term fix. Either the joint has come apart or one of the pieces has split. Either way you'll need to take it apart, replace any broken parts ...
- 23.5k
1
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Thermostatic mixing valve that holds water temperature at 120°F / 50°C
A thermostatic mixing valve is the same device as a thermostatic shower, the mechanism is the same but the body & fittings different.
So, have you tried adjusting the existing valve? Is there any ...
- 28.1k
1
vote
Is Electric Central Heating worth it if using Solar Panels?
My preferred way is small split ac, reversible, COP of 1 to 3. Service can be expensive.
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1
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What's the best method of insulating windows against solar heat?
A window tint film would be a great option. Make sure you pick one that goes to the trouble of publishing their solar energy rejection performance -- any which don't might reasonably be assumed not to ...
- 32.1k
1
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What's the best method of insulating windows against solar heat?
Thermal draperies may be the best option. They can be opened when needed. The fabric is available to make your own at JoAnne Fabric, but ready mades are inexpensive and readily available.
- 101
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How does a roof replacement impact recommended timing of solar panel installation?
I would think about redesigning the roof to make the panel supports integral to the roof. Or you might keep a close eye on Elon Musk's work around solar roofs, where the panel IS the roof.
Or go ...
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