4/8/2023 0 Comments Solar evac tubes![]() ![]() solar heat exchanger to and from the collector, heat exchanger to solar storage tank, all connections tightened, etc.) should be completed and pressure tested. Installing the evacuated tubes into the header assembly should be the absolute last phase of the project. ![]() This enhanced forward tilt helps compensate for the low winter sun at Vermont’s high latitude. Notice that the rear crossbar in this installation is raised a foot higher than the front. Although not shown here, a custom bend, also made out of XPS foam, was fashioned to completely encase the lines.ĭepending upon the snowfall in your area (or lack thereof), the mounting assembly will either be raised a foot or two off the ground or flush mounted at ground level. sections are also sealed with spray foam. Once the insulated copper lines are installed within the foam box, the top cap is foamed on and the joints between the 8 ft. Either of these products give you an initial R-5 insulation value, then, once enclosed within the XPS box, the total R-value jumps to R-15. The common hardware store pipe insulation used for domestic water lines would melt away after the first year, so use either Armaflex or Insul-tube. The same high temp considerations should also be given to the type of foam used to sheath the copper pipe. so you’ll want to factor the cost into your decision. ![]() Of course, soft, annealed copper can also be used if you want a system with no underground solder connections, but 3/4″ soft copper is about $ 3.50/ft. This is because summer temperatures generated by the system can easily melt any type of plastic tubing. These strips are fashioned into a box with spray foam.Īlthough it’s tempting to use a roll of PEX (to avoid having connections underground), the supply and return lines should always be copper. The simple method shown above is nothing more than 2″ extruded polystyrene foam ripped into strips (12″ wide top/bottom, 4″ wide for the sides). There are many ways to insulate your solar supply and return lines, most are very expensive and offer low R-Values. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |