8
Installing the System
Solar water heating systems are climate
and site specific appliances. Different types
of solar systems are installed around the
world in accordance with regional weather
and water quality conditions. System
performance varies as a function of the
household hot water load, including daily
showers, laundry and kitchen uses, average
ground water and ambient air temperatures,
the home’s roof pitch and orientation, and,
of course, the seasonal intensity of solar
radiation. These variables, some of which
change from home to home on the same
neighborhood street, will determine how
much energy and money your system will
save on an annual basis.
Your solar system is known as a "forced
circulation" system because it utilizes a
mechanical pump to efficiently circulate
the Dow Chemical Dowfrost HD propylene
glycol heat transfer fluid (HTF) throughout
the system. The HTF protects the collector
piping from freezing and inhibits scaling
deposits that can reduce performance in
"open-loop" systems utilizing potable
water as the HTF. Proper application and
maintenance of the HTF can protect your
solar water heating system to minus 60°
Fahrenheit.
This manual is intended as a basic solar
water heating primer. Our goal is to
familiarize you with the proper installation,
operation, and maintenance of your solar
system. This system is required to be
installed by properly licensed solar or
plumbing contractors in accordance with
SRCC Standard OG-300 and all applicable
national, state and local codes, ordinances
and regulations governing solar water
heating installations, as well as good trade
practices. Failure to follow the procedures
and practices described in this manual
can void the manufacturer's warranty for
specific component parts.
This manual covers installations utilizing
two solar collectors with a single solar
storage tank and also two tank systems
that include a solar storage tank and a
conventional water heater. For simplicity,
the singular form will be used throughout
this manual when referring to all of these
components and system permutations.
Frequent reference is made throughout
this manual to specific component parts.
The placement of each component can be
seen in system schematic figures 16, 17,
18 & 19. A description of each component
and its function is found in the System
Component Parts section
Let us first offer two words of grateful
appreciation.Thank You! We sincerely
appreciate your business. We also wish to
say thank you for "going solar". Solar water
heating systems help to reduce our nation’s
dependence on polluting fossil fuels,
minimize the greenhouse gas emissions
associated with conventional water heating
and, very importantly, lower your monthly
utility costs.
Your solar water heating system has been
designed to meet exacting SRCC OG-300
certification requirements. The components
found in your system have been selected
for their proven reliability, longevity and
performance in your specific region of the
country.
Introduction to Solar Water Heating Systems
Preface
