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Thermosiphoning DHW

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zvalve
zvalve Member Posts: 83
Does anyone know where to purchase good solar panels to use with a thermosiphoning  DHW hot water system? Does thermosiphoning make sense for DHW in the northeast at the latitude of Long Island, NY. I set up a thermosiphoning system at this latitude and it has been working great in the summer but towards the end of August unless there is bright, hot sunny days the output falls off dramatically. In the northeast it may make sense as a supplement to an existing DHW from Thanksgiving to April 1st and then drain it during the winter.

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  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 22,131
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    A pumped system

    Either a glycol or drain back might give you better output. Properly installed a water based drain back is the most efficient thermal solar system. Possibly use an ECM circ and keep the pumping cost to a minimum
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • zvalve
    zvalve Member Posts: 83
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    ECM Circ

    What is an ECM Circ? How hard is it to install a drain back system on roof of your house?
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 22,131
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    ECM

    is a pump with a high efficiency electronic motor. They consume 40- 60% less energy. think of like a more efficient light bulb.



    Drainback does take some special design and installation care to provide a troublefree system. the pump & piping needs to be sized properly, and the piping needs to be installed to completely drainback.



    Some good design info here



    http://www.caleffi.us/en_US/caleffi/Details/Magazines/pdf/idronics_3_us.pdf
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
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