The advantages of these collector systems are numerous. Low conductivity of the plastic is compensated for by spacing the tubing close to gather. Cost is significantly less than copper or aluminum and EPDM is none corroding. Since it is freeze tolerant, a freeze-inhibited, closed loop system is not necessary.

Both calmac and bio-systems offer hot water heating systems for under some dollar.

Grumman energy systems’ sun stream water heating systems boast around 3000 installations. They offer several options, including a closed loop, freeze inhibited system for cold climes and open loop systems for areas where freezing is infrequent or unlikely. You can also choose between a loose packaged kit like the 60AS model or a factory assembled tank mounted control system like the 60AS.

solarcell'sconcentrating _ collector, and plumbing kit for solar water heating system (model A-40) are shipped in one 100-lb.

Solar cell corp. also packages both open and closed loop domestic hot water heating systems. They come with one or two non tracking focusing concentrator type collectors constructed of high impact ABS polymer plastic with extruded aluminum trim. The reflectors are of vacuum metalized plating on ABS and the unit is sealed with 1/8 –in.  Acrylic glazing.

double-glazed beadwall becomes insulated wall with styrofoam beads blown between glass. a unit such as the one shown here is 50x80 in.

double-wall heat exchanger tank

Two modular control packages

because taco's solar systemizers are prewired and pre plumbed, they are easier to install with less chance for error.

Taco, inc., has good news for solar do it yourselfers. Their solar systemizers combine pumps, an hghly efficient “counterflow” heat exchanger (optional), air separator, differential control and hydronic controls. The only on site connections required are supply and return piping, one power lead and two sensor connections. Although taco doesn’t package a complete water heating system, kits sold by many manufacturers include taco components.

Solar research also markets an easy to install, factory assembled control package. A further advantage of both systems is that they don’t have to be built into or onto the water heater. Should the existing water heater or storage tank deteriorate, the entire system doesn’t have to be reinstalled.

kalwall solar furnace_solair collector can be window mounted between sill and open sash. gaps are filled with rigid nisulation.

Another innovative approach to flat plate collectors is at the heart of daystar’s closed loop systems. It features a convection suppressor an accordion like transparent plastic which helps to trap collected heat. The collectors are also equipped with a temperature limiter system to help reradiate heat during periods of excessive temperature buildup. The price tag for a typical system, including solar tank, is near to your hands.

Absorber plate

The surface of a flat-plate collector which absorbs solar radiation and converts it to heat.

Active system

Requires mechanical power to collect, store or distribute solar heat.

Closed-loop system

A hot water heating system which continually recalculates anti-freeze through collectors. Heat is transferred to potable water by a heat exchanger.

Collector control sensors

Temperature sensitive elements that signal the differential thermostat controller when conditions are right for activating system, collecting heat.

Concentrating solar collector

A device using reflective surfaces to focus sunlight on a small area where it is absorbed and con-verted to heat. Often capable of generating higher temperatures than flat plate collectors.

Cover plate

Glazing used above absorber plate of collector to prevent excessive heat loss.

Differential-temperature thermostat

Activates the pump or blower when collector temperature is sufficiently above tank temperature; it deactivates pump or blower when collector temperature does not exceed the storage temperature by preset amount.

Flat-plate collector

Device which converts sunlight to heat energy on a plane surface of metal or plastic.

Heat exchanger

Any devices, containers, masonry walls or mediums such as pebbles or water which can store collected solar heat for future use.

Liquid-based solar heating system

Uses liquid (either water or antifreeze solution) to transport heat from collector to storage.

Open loop system

Hot water heating system which needs no heat exchanger, and circulates potable water through collectors.

Passive system

Relies on convection, not external mechanical power, to move the collected solar heat.

Solar water storage tank, or preheat tank

Stone or glass lined insulated tank used in a domestic water heating system to store hat water may be equipped with an integral external heat exchanger. Solar tanks may be hooked up in series with an existing hot water heater or one may be used as the sole hot water storage tank if it’s equipped with an auxiliary heat element.

One way to boost the economic feasibility of tapping the sun’s energy is to consider installing a solar-heating system yourself. A good percentage of solar equipment buyers are apparently up to the task. Grumman energy systems reports that in a recent survey of their sun-stream domestic hot water systems, about a third of all installations were done by do-it-your-selfers.

“kit” means different things to different manufacturers. Water-heating kits usually will not supply standard stock items which can be easily obtained locally, such as pipes, ducts, caulking, electric cables and even collector glazing. Other systems are complete down to the last pipe coupling. One such system is solar com-fort’s joule box solar water heater.

nonmetallic collectors such as these by calmac manufacturing keeep water-heating costs reasonable.

Before ordering a kit from a manufacturer, obtain the components list to be sure you know what you’re getting, which items are optional, and what you must supply.

Some kits can be characterized as “loose” packaged which generally means there will be more for you to put together. But loose packaging is not always a disad vantage. A kit which requires no-site assembly of the collector, for serve as an absorber plate. In addition, EPDM is freeze-tolerant water freezing inside the extruded tubes will not cause damage. EPDM also can maintain its shape in extreme heat _up to 375 if not subjected to pressure. Life expectan-cy is 30 to 60 years, due to its resistance to ozone, ultraviolet light, chemicals and abrasion.

Bio-energy systems, inc., also using EPDM, has developed a line of uniquely shaped glazing and tube plate extrusions which can be used to help fabricate anything from a collector to a pas-sive south wall.

Which measures 29 5/8 x 53 ¼ in. and costs about this.

This window is vinyl clad on the exterior for low maintenance and comes with a screen and integral storm window to provide triple glaz-ing.

To obtain the proper-size replacement unit: measure the existing glass width (including the edge covered by glazing compound) and add 4 in. this total approximates the proper width for the new unit.

For the approximate height, measure the glass height of one sash, double it and add 6 in. choose a unit that is equal to or less than these dimensions.

nail window to wall. fin-type window, shown, has vinyl flange for nailing....others are nailed through casement.

1. Remove old storms and sash if possible from old unit before removing it from opening. Wear safety goggles.

2. oppose’’ shims when leveling new unit by (1) resting each jamb bottom (or jamb horn) on butt end of shingle/shim, and (2) tapping in sec-ond shim feather-edge first in between jamb and first shim. Drive a finishing nail at an angle through the jamb horn to hold each shim in place. When secured, cut away excess shingle with a knife or chisel.

3. Fur out inside frame of new unit with wood scrap to provide nailers for inside trim if needed.

4. Do not drive nails into tension spring mechanisms when installing head trim.

5. Install old or new exterior casing with 10dgalvanized nails. Prime back side before install-ing. Set and putty nailheads.