Solar Water Heating

by Ramlow, Bob

• ISBN13: 9780865716681
• ISBN10: 0865716684
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-07-01
• Publisher: New Society Pub

Summary

Heating water with the sun is a practice almost as old as humankind itself. Solar Water Heating, now completely revised and expanded, is the definitive guide to this clean and cost-effective technology.

Beginning with a review of the history of solar water and space heating systems from prehistory to the present, Solar Water Heating presents an introduction to modern solar energy systems, energy conservation, and energy economics. Drawing on the authors’ experiences as designers and installers of these systems, the book goes on to cover:

-Types of solar collectors, solar water, and space heating systems and solar pool heating systems, including their advantages and disadvantages

-System components, their installation, operation, and maintenance

-System sizing and siting

-Choosing the appropriate system

This book focuses on the financial aspects of solar water or space heating systems, clearly showing that such systems generate significant savings in the long run. With many diagrams and illustrations to complement the clearly written text, this book is designed for a wide readership ranging from the curious homeowner to the serious student or professional.

Author Biography

Bob Ramlow has been involved in renewable energy system sales, installation and manufacturing since 1976. He is an IREC/ISPQ Certified Solar Thermal Independent Master Trainer and a NABCEP Certified Solar Thermal Installer. He writes and teaches workshops about solar energy. Benjamin Nusz has worked as an installer, site assessor, designer and consultant for solar thermal systems. He currently trains renewable thermal technicians at Mid-State Technical College in Wisconsin.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. IX
Introduction	p. 1
History	p. 5
Conservation and the Economics of Solar Water Heating	p. 11
The True Cost of Fossil Fuel	p. 13
A Brief History of Fossil Fuels	p. 15
Life-Cycle Costing	p. 17
Types of Solar Collectors	p. 23
Flat Plate Collectors	p. 24
Evacuated Tube Collectors	p. 26
ICS Collectors	p. 30
Concentrating Collectors	p. 32
Pool Collectors	p. 33
Comparing Solar Water Heating Collectors	p. 34
Air Collectors	p. 39
Other System Components	p. 41
Storage Tanks	p. 41
Heat Exchangers	p. 46
Pumps	p. 47
Piping and Pipe Insulation	p. 49
Solar Fluids	p. 51
Other System Components	p. 53
Solar Water Heating Systems	p. 65
Introduction	p. 65
Pressurized Antifreeze Systems	p. 68
Drainback Systems	p. 77
Integral Collector Storage Systems	p. 82
Thermosiphon Systems	p. 84
Open-Loop Systems	p. 86
Draindown Systems	p. 87
Refrigerant Solar Water Heaters	p. 89
Solar Heated Pools	p. 90
Solar Heated Hot Tubs and Spas	p. 94
Solar Space Heating Systems	p. 97
Liquid-Type Solar Heating Systems	p. 99
Liquid-Type Systems without Storage	p. 99
Liquid-Type Systems with Storage	p. 101
Heat Delivery Methods	p. 110
High-Mass Systems	p. 119
Air-Type Solar Heating Systems	p. 124
Choosing the Right System for Your Needs	p. 129
Siting a Solar Energy System	p. 130
Sizing a Solar Water Heating System	p. 137
Sizing a Solar Space Heating System	p. 143
Sizing Components	p. 150
Sizing Expansion Tanks	p. 156
Sizing Air Heating Systems	p. 157
System Installation	p. 159
Installing Solar Water Heating Systems	p. 159
Handling Solar Collectors	p. 161
Mounting Solar Collectors	p. 165
Mounting the Heat Exchanger	p. 181
Plumbing the System	p. 184
Testing the System	p. 192
Installing Solar Pool Heating Systems	p. 193
Installing Radiant Floor Tubing	p. 194
System Operation and Maintenance	p. 203
Charging a Pressurized System	p. 203
Charging a High-Mass System	p. 209
Finishing Up	p. 209
Controls and Power Sources	p. 210
Maintenance	p. 218
Wire Sizing Chart	p. 225
Metric Conversions	p. 227
Temperature and Resistance Conversion Chart for 10K Thermistors	p. 229
Glossary	p. 231
Index	p. 235
About the Authors	p. 245
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