Terry Fenwick, Harwood, Ontario

As I have built much of the system components myself, I have done lots of tweaking and checking the system function, wanting to learn how well the system operates, when and what adjustments to make. After several months, it still gives me a thrill to see the solar loop raising the storage tank temperature from 100 F to 140 F on a sunny spring day. With only two (of 4 planned) collectors in place, I have not had any need to "dump" excess heat from the storage tank. I have not yet done a review and comparison of my electrical consumption since adding the solar hot water heating but I do know that I am now doing about 90% of my DHW heating with the solar collector (my heat pump use is very noticeably less since adding the solar collectors). When I do an energy use comparison, I will update you on my energy savings.

Future plans are to add at least two more 30 tube collectors to the roof (perhaps 3 more) and to change the solar loop pump to a PV panel powered pump. I will also revisit (and increase?) the solar loop exchanger coils in the storage tank, currently they drop the loop temperature by about 8F and the design goal is to drop the loop temperature by about 15F.

I did encounter a few problems during my system installation, most of which I documented in the photos Stefan will post on this site. Most irritating problem was in using silver solder for the header lines, I had to resolder one section of pipes several times. I finally cut the pipe section out, brought it into the shop to resolder the problem connections, pressure tested the new joint (failed the test!), cut new pipes and tried soldering it again! The problem is in joining copper pipes to heavier brass fittings, it is difficult getting the brass fittings hot enough to accept the silver solder. My other concern is the final siting of the collectors... because of the steep collector angle and shallow pitch of my roof, the top foot of the collectors are visible over the ridge line of the roof, this is an aesthetic problem for my wife and I. Solution will be to lower the collectors down the roof line when I add the extra collectors this summer.

Terry Fenwick
Harwood, Ontario
 
Solar storage tank made from a 220 gallon old hot tub. The height was extended to increase the tank volume.

To view these images, either click the arrows or Click the large image, this will open up a window where a description of the picture will give you some more information.

previous arrow
next arrow

Solar Thermal in the News

Contact us for a Free Commercial Solar Simulation Design Services 1 800 759 8990

Watch Solar Water Heating Video

Watch this great video on solar water heating systems.

PopularItems

Live Monitoring

See a solar hot water system in Calgary and Vancouver here.

Photo Gallery

Image of some Residential and Commercial Solar Water Heating projects.

Online Store

Buy solar systems for DIY install, prices and technical details can be found here.

Solar Heating Design Layouts

See some of our most popular Pre-Engineer Solar Water Heating Packages available for domestic hot water, space heating and pools.

Solar Water Heating Articles

Need more info? Let us help!

Fill and select all the * marked fields to submit. Our team will respond as soon as possible!

SolarWater Heating Projects

About Us

Latitude51 Solar Heating System are distributed across Canada ,USA, Mexico and Caribbean. We are a North American Distributor for solar water heating equipment. By eliminating the traditional wholesale distributors, we sell direct to contractors and home owners across North America so they can buy our solar at affordable prices. We are forever expanding our network of distribution locations around Canada and USA. If you would like to join our team then call us at 1 (800) 317-9054

Installer Locations

  • Vancouver Vancouver
  • Winnipeg Winnipeg
  • Saskatchewan Saskatchewan
  • Edmonton Edmonton
  • Calgary Calgary
  • Okanagan Okanagan
  • Los Angels Los Angels
  • New York New York
  • Minnesota Minnesota
  • Chicago Chicago
  • Seattle Seattle

Navigate

Contact Details

Address: 835 Kapelus Dr. West St Paul, MB R4A 5A4, Canada
Phone 1 800 317 9054
Contact Us
Our Location Map

facebook2