[Greenbuilding] Simple Solar Radiant System

[Drew A. Gillett P.E.]

well dan, i installed a 7  panel 60 degree slope 4x6  used flat black single 
cover parallel flow solar water collector system a few years back to heat 
the basement floor of my farmhouse.  it is a drainback system (used 30 
gallon horizontal tank) , with used groundfos  pump feeding 4 1/2 inch by 
200 ft. polybutylene  loops in parallel in 1000 sq.ft. of  4"concrete 
basement floor.

a used controller turns on the pump whenever the collector is warmer than 
the radiant floor return (typicaly 60 on startup and 70 running full out. ) 
  the system is left on summer and winter. it ran 2000 sunny hours last 
year .  the basement of a new england farmhouse never overheats even in 
summer.   in winter, the system keeps the basement  comfortable 45-65 and 
from freezing with no other backup heat.

i strongly endorse your concept, use used equipment, minimize controls and 
additional storage. and make sure the collectors are tilted steeply enough 
to shed snow in winter and to reduce gain in summer. good luck


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <dantonioli at earthlink.net>
To: "'Greenbuilder list'" <greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org>
Sent: Monday, December 04, 2006 11:17 AM
Subject: [Greenbuilding] Simple Solar Radiant System


>I have a solar hot air system on my home that works only when there's 
>enough
> radiation to heat the inside of the panel to 74 degrees. The temperature
> hits 74 degrees and a small, 24 watt fan turns on to brings fresh, warm 
> air
> into the house.
>
> I want to design a simple solar radiant system that works on the same
> principle I have two thermal panels on my roof that will eventually be
> hooked up to a larger "master plan" system when time and money permit for
> doing everything right.
>
> In the meantime, I want to use them to heat a radiator in my cold, ground
> floor office that's chilly even when it's warm outside.
>
> The model is simple: one loop, filled with water/glycol, and pumped when 
> the
> temperature hits a set point. When the sun shines and it's cold inside, 
> I'll
> at least be able to partially heat the space with solar.
>
> Yes, I understand that a comprehensive system with storage and boilers 
> makes
> sense, but that's for later.
>
> Does anyone have any experience with such a simplified system and/or know 
> of
> any Homepower-type articles online?
>
> Dan Antonioli
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