[Greenbuilding] Al Pex for Solar Heating System

[Peter Caradonna]

Sacie,

Take a look at Dawn Solar in New Hampshire.  They use pex in a combined heat
and power system for roof applications.  The system uses pex in a track
system overlaid with metal roofing and thin film solar panels between the
raised seams of the metal roof.

Peter

-----Original Message-----
From: greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org
[mailto:greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org] On Behalf Of Sacie
Lambertson
Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2008 11:55 PM
To: Greenbuilding
Subject: [Greenbuilding] Al Pex for Solar Heating System

When we built our house we plumbed it for a back-up solar water heating
system.  Unfortunately this was before I learned that PEX could not be
used.  Now I'm ready to complete the job (our propane bills have gone from
$350/yr to $750/yr) but I'm told that AL PEX should NOT be used either, that
it can't take the extreme heat of the glycol coming out of the solar panel.
I would appreciate hearing some opinions and best advice on this.  Copper is
the only recommended carrier this knowledgeable source told me (though he
had heard of using copper for the first six feet, with an alternative after
that, but didn't think this a good idea either).  I really don't want to use
copper if I can help it.

A follow up question: what is the best insulator for the copper/alternative
line which will have to be buried for 20 ft before it enters the house?  Yes
I know that copper must be contained if it is going to be buried in the
ground.
Thanks
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