Posted by john.dawson on June 12, 2006, 12:51 pm
DJ wrote:
> Mary Fisher wrote:
> > The Fisher household already uses minimal water, we have a meter and use far
> > less than the average for our household, we also re-use 'grey' water
> Yep, I'm running into some roadblocks on that one here in Canada.
> National Plumbing Code prohibits non-potable water to be used in any
> appliance, even a toilet! There are obviously some exceptions, but it
> can be tricky.
> And then comes the storage issue with the grey water. Had one client
> that desperately wanted to save and sand-filter her washing machine
> effluent. A little research, though, determined that that's not a great
> idea due to contamination. What grey water do you reuse?
> > and
> > harvest rainwater from house, shed and greenhouse roofs (we grow our own
> > vegetables and never use mains water for them).
> Apparently that's the best kind of "grey water" to use. Storage issues
> are minimal, and no filtering required.
> > But some customers are
> > profligate, still hosing cars (as if it mattered), insisting on showering
> > every day (only mucky people have showers!), leaving taps running while
> > brushing teeth, throwing away perfectly usable water then watering gardens
> > with fresh potable tap water etc.
> Yep. I am pretty lucky to have a lake in my front yard, actually. It's
> only the electricity needed to pump it into my home that is of issue,
> but that's taken care of with solar and wind.
> > Because it's illegal to cut off the water supply a large number of people, I
> > heard yesterday, don't bother to pay their bills even when they can easily
> > afford it.
> Over here, though, they "remember". Sure, they can't cut off you water
> or electricity mid-winter, but they can "get" you other ways.
> Automobile registration is one soft spot many use. Owe fines or
> utilities? Sorry, no licence for you!
> > Since we have a solar water heater I'm interested in this thread - except
> > that it's unlikely to affect us, we don't go away for more than a weekend
> > and that rarely!
> The general professional answer to this (I'm also a licenced plumbing
> contractor) is to install a "dump loop", whereas the heat goes into a
> loop buried in the ground or in a pond when the glycol temperature
> reaches a certain unsafe level. Just a matter of a thermostat and a
> solenoid... and some piping, and some labor ;-).
> DJ
My DIY system not installed yet but I'm planning to use the house
central heating as a dump loop i.e. turn on the pump (but not the
heating!), switched by the solar controller overheat detection stat and
a few relays; means installing controls, but no extra piping; due to
limited heat capacity probably insufficient for a sunny climate but
should hopefully do for Ireland; in any case worst case scenario is
water boils and vents to outside, meaning you'd need to top up on your
return. JD
Posted by Mary Fisher on June 12, 2006, 12:57 pm
> DJ wrote:
> My DIY system not installed yet but I'm planning to use the house
> central heating as a dump loop i.e. turn on the pump (but not the
> heating!), switched by the solar controller overheat detection stat and
> a few relays; means installing controls, but no extra piping; due to
> limited heat capacity probably insufficient for a sunny climate but
> should hopefully do for Ireland;
That sounds very clever. Next time you come across the water give me a call
and explain it to Spouse :-)
> in any case worst case scenario is
> water boils and vents to outside, meaning you'd need to top up on your
> return. JD
To date it hasn't exceeded 70C, that's been in the last week of heatwave. We
haven't been drawing off the water until evening washing up. It's been
interesting to keep an eye on it and be prepared for the worst - which
hasn't happened.
Mary
>
Posted by Gary on June 6, 2006, 9:32 pm
Thomas Flannigan wrote:
> I finally got our solar water heater to work, and it is not doing very
> well. The glycol comes off the roof between 126 and 145 Fahreheit. With
> two small children, the abundant hot water is a Godsend.
> What are the risks if we go away for 11 days in July or August? I
> have read that a system can be damaged if it gets too hot.
>
Hi,
This is what Heliodyne says in Gobi collector manual:
SYSTEM SHUTDOWN
If the collector system is properly installed and utilizes an antifreeze
mixture, it is protected against freezing and boil-out and
does not require a shutdown for periods less than a month. However, if the
system is to be unused for more than one
month, a shutdown is recommended. Switch the controller to “OFF” or unplug, and
cover the collectors securely with a tarp
or plywood during prolonged summer absences.
They also say to make sure all the plumbing is good for 150psi to withstand the
pressures that go with stagnation (I guess).
---
The antifreeze will degrade faster if exposed to high temperatures -- low
quality ones faster.
--
Some people cover the panels with shade cloth to prevent overheating, or provide
a heat dump (e.g. a hot tub like thing with a coil of pipe in it).
Fabrizio's solution looks particularly elegant!
Gary
www.BuildItSolar.com
gary@BuildItSolar.com
"Build It Yourself" Solar Projects
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Posted by Brian Graham on June 20, 2006, 5:27 pm
Here's a thought. Most people put in check valves to avoid thermosiphoning at
night. Perhaps you want to ensure it occurs during vacations.. (run the pump at
night or bypass the check-valve)
Just a thought..
--
Brian
Personally, I was planning putting two 4x8 sheets of plywood on mine..
I finally got our solar water heater to work, and it is not doing very
well. The glycol comes off the roof between 126 and 145 Fahreheit.
With two small children, the abundant hot water is a Godsend.
What are the risks if we go away for 11 days in July or August? I
have read that a system can be damaged if it gets too hot.
XML site map
> > The Fisher household already uses minimal water, we have a meter and use far
> > less than the average for our household, we also re-use 'grey' water
> Yep, I'm running into some roadblocks on that one here in Canada.
> National Plumbing Code prohibits non-potable water to be used in any
> appliance, even a toilet! There are obviously some exceptions, but it
> can be tricky.
> And then comes the storage issue with the grey water. Had one client
> that desperately wanted to save and sand-filter her washing machine
> effluent. A little research, though, determined that that's not a great
> idea due to contamination. What grey water do you reuse?
> > and
> > harvest rainwater from house, shed and greenhouse roofs (we grow our own
> > vegetables and never use mains water for them).
> Apparently that's the best kind of "grey water" to use. Storage issues
> are minimal, and no filtering required.
> > But some customers are
> > profligate, still hosing cars (as if it mattered), insisting on showering
> > every day (only mucky people have showers!), leaving taps running while
> > brushing teeth, throwing away perfectly usable water then watering gardens
> > with fresh potable tap water etc.
> Yep. I am pretty lucky to have a lake in my front yard, actually. It's
> only the electricity needed to pump it into my home that is of issue,
> but that's taken care of with solar and wind.
> > Because it's illegal to cut off the water supply a large number of people, I
> > heard yesterday, don't bother to pay their bills even when they can easily
> > afford it.
> Over here, though, they "remember". Sure, they can't cut off you water
> or electricity mid-winter, but they can "get" you other ways.
> Automobile registration is one soft spot many use. Owe fines or
> utilities? Sorry, no licence for you!
> > Since we have a solar water heater I'm interested in this thread - except
> > that it's unlikely to affect us, we don't go away for more than a weekend
> > and that rarely!
> The general professional answer to this (I'm also a licenced plumbing
> contractor) is to install a "dump loop", whereas the heat goes into a
> loop buried in the ground or in a pond when the glycol temperature
> reaches a certain unsafe level. Just a matter of a thermostat and a
> solenoid... and some piping, and some labor ;-).
> DJ