Active Solar Heating

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Active Solar Heating

• Liquid Solar Heating System
• Travis Ricard

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Objective

• To outline and provide relevant information on
  the following
• What is Active Solar Heating
• How Does a Liquid Active Solar Heating System
  Work
• In-Floor Radiant Heating
• Controls
• Performance and Maintenance
• Cost and savings

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What is Active Solar Heating

• A system which relies upon the collection and
  storage of solar radiation in order to be
  transferred into energy for the purpose of
  heating

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How Does a Liquid Active Solar Heating System Work

• Solar radiation collectors are installed to
  collect direct sunlight
• Usually placed on the roof, but they can also be
  wall or ground mounted

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001.jpg
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• A liquid is circulated through the collector
• Usually consists of water, antifreeze, or methyl
  alcohol
• The heat collected by the collector is
  transferred to the liquid

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• A photovoltaic panel attached to the collectors
  operates a pump which circulates the liquid
• The heated liquid is pumped into the storage
  container
• Cold water from the storage container is then
  sent through the system be heated.

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jpg
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• The heated water can then be used with the aid of
  a heat exchanger to provide hot water or in floor
  radiant heating.
• Often a secondary heating device is used when
  there is not enough solar radiation to heat the
  water
• This device is typically a natural gas boiler

http//homepage.eircom.net/solaris/pages/products
1.html
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In-Floor Radiant Heating

• Liquid active solar heating systems are often
  used to supply hot water for in-floor radiant
  heating
• The hot water is directed through plastic or
  rubber pipes embedded in a concrete floor
• The circulating hot water then heats the floor,
  which in turn radiates to heat the room

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• In floor radiant systems require water
  temperatures of 71.1C to 82.2C
• Often these temperatures cannot be achieved
  through solar heating alone.
• Typically the secondary system (natural gas
  boiler) is used to bring the pre-heated water up
  to the required temperature.

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Controls

• More complex then the typical household heating
  system
• This is due to the fact that the system must
  analyze more signals and control more devices
• Use sensors, switches, and motors to operate the
  system and to provide back-up heating
• The main component of the system is the
  differential thermostat, which measures the
  difference in temperature between the collectors
  and storage container.
• When the collectors are 6.7C to 12.2C warmer
  than the storage unit, the thermostat turns on
  the pump to circulate water through the collector
  to heat the storage container or the house.

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Performance

• Quality, durability, system design, and
  installation dictate how well an active solar
  energy system will perform
• Active solar energy systems typically provide 40
  to 80 of the home's heating needs.
• Systems providing less than 40 of the heat
  needed for a home are usually not cost effective
  as they due not provide enough savings to justify
  their more expensive implementation costs
• The size of the system determines how much heat
  it can provide.

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Maintenance

• Most systems require between 8-16 hours of
  maintenance ensure optimal performance and to
  avoid failures.
• Much of this maintenance involves checking pipes
  and ductwork for leaks and collectors for damage.
  
• Pumps and fans must also be cleaned and
  lubricated on an annual basis

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Cost and Savings

• Typical costs of solar radiation collectors vary
  from 30 and 80 per square foot installed
  (depending on the type of panel)
• Further cost associated with storage container
  and pumping system
• It is estimated that an in floor radiant heating
  system can reduce a heating bill by 20-40
• This value will increase further if the secondary
  heating system is used as little as possible.

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Conclusion

• Liquid Active Solar Heating Systems are a cost
  effective and efficient way to heat a home
• Reliable and relatively maintenance free
• Many options with regard to type and size of
  system
• The higher initial cost is quickly off set by the
  annual energy savings

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References

• Refer to the below links for further
  information
• http//www.healthgoods.com/Education/Energy_Inform
  ation/Renewable_Energy/heating_with_active_solar.h
  tm
• http//www.newenergy.org/sesci/publications/pamphl
  ets/active.html