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Solar Energy Radiant Heating Systems
Heat dumps
When you use a solar water heater for radiant heating, you will need the system to
provide ample heat in the coldest weather and on the shortest days of the year at
your location. This means that in the summer, your solar heating system will produce
far more heat than is required. Essentially, you need a heat dump – a way to siphon
off extra heat from your system - to keep your home comfortable all year round.
There are a couple of different ways to dump the excess heat from a solar heating
system. One is to divert the excess heat to a swimming pool via a water to water heat
exchanger. If you don't have a pool, a radiator fin system can radiate excess heat into
the open air.
System sizing
Sizing a solar radiant heating system to meet your exact heating needs should be left
to a professional installer, but you can estimate the number of solar collectors (panels)
you'll need with some basic information and simple arithmetic.
The radiant heating industry recommends that you have a system capable of providing
32 BTUs per square foot of space to be heated. A 2,000 sq. ft. home, for example,
would require 64,000 BTU of heating capacity.
Since each tube of an evacuated tube collector produces around 2,000 BTU, you would
need approximately 32 tubes to produce 64,000 BTU. The equivalent in standard sizes
would be 1 – 30 tube array, or 1- 10 tube + 1- 20 tube array, or 3 – 10 tube arrays.
If you're considering the installation of solar heat as a DIY project, you should be
aware that a 30 tube array weighs just under 300 lbs, while the 10 tube array has a
more manageable "up the ladder" weight of 90 lbs.
Evacuated tube collectors for a solar energy heating system are usually warranted for
3 years and have an estimated lifespan of 25 years.
Installation tips
• A “Zone” in a radiant heating system is an area that is serviced by a single
thermostat and pump.
• Use as few heating zones in your home possible. However, each floor will require its
own zone.
• Any zone can be broken up into multiple circuits, which are parallel loops of tubes
that begin and end at the same point. A single circuit should not exceed 400 ft in
length.
• The optimal water temperature circulating through each radiant heating zone should
be 120 degrees F.
• The best piping material for radiant floor systems is cross-linked polyethylene which
is sold under the brand name "Pex Tubing." This modern plastic shares the same
conductive properties as copper, but is more flexible and able to withstand corrosion.
• Thicker diameter in-floor tubing can be spaced further apart than thinner tubing and
still provide the same heating capacity. This will help lower your material costs and the
installation time of your solar energy radiant heating system.
When you use a solar water heater for radiant heating, you will need the system to
provide ample heat in the coldest weather and on the shortest days of the year at
your location. This means that in the summer, your solar heating system will produce
far more heat than is required. Essentially, you need a heat dump – a way to siphon
off extra heat from your system - to keep your home comfortable all year round.
There are a couple of different ways to dump the excess heat from a solar heating
system. One is to divert the excess heat to a swimming pool via a water to water heat
exchanger. If you don't have a pool, a radiator fin system can radiate excess heat into
the open air.
System sizing
Sizing a solar radiant heating system to meet your exact heating needs should be left
to a professional installer, but you can estimate the number of solar collectors (panels)
you'll need with some basic information and simple arithmetic.
The radiant heating industry recommends that you have a system capable of providing
32 BTUs per square foot of space to be heated. A 2,000 sq. ft. home, for example,
would require 64,000 BTU of heating capacity.
Since each tube of an evacuated tube collector produces around 2,000 BTU, you would
need approximately 32 tubes to produce 64,000 BTU. The equivalent in standard sizes
would be 1 – 30 tube array, or 1- 10 tube + 1- 20 tube array, or 3 – 10 tube arrays.
If you're considering the installation of solar heat as a DIY project, you should be
aware that a 30 tube array weighs just under 300 lbs, while the 10 tube array has a
more manageable "up the ladder" weight of 90 lbs.
Evacuated tube collectors for a solar energy heating system are usually warranted for
3 years and have an estimated lifespan of 25 years.
Installation tips
• A “Zone” in a radiant heating system is an area that is serviced by a single
thermostat and pump.
• Use as few heating zones in your home possible. However, each floor will require its
own zone.
• Any zone can be broken up into multiple circuits, which are parallel loops of tubes
that begin and end at the same point. A single circuit should not exceed 400 ft in
length.
• The optimal water temperature circulating through each radiant heating zone should
be 120 degrees F.
• The best piping material for radiant floor systems is cross-linked polyethylene which
is sold under the brand name "Pex Tubing." This modern plastic shares the same
conductive properties as copper, but is more flexible and able to withstand corrosion.
• Thicker diameter in-floor tubing can be spaced further apart than thinner tubing and
still provide the same heating capacity. This will help lower your material costs and the
installation time of your solar energy radiant heating system.
Solar energy radiant heating systems are probably the most cost effective method of
harnessing solar energy. Not only is solar radiant a great alternative for heating your
domestic hot water, many homeowners are turning to solar energy to help heat their
homes as well.
A solar water heater sized to handle the heating needs of your home can reduce
home heating costs by 65 - 80%.
There are three types of solar hot water heating systems in common use today
classified by where they are installed.
Although a solar energy heating system is capable of providing 100% of your home's
heating needs on a bright sunny day, it won't be able to provide 100% of your
seasonal heating needs. Instead, the system should be sized to supplement your
existing source of home heat.
When enough solar energy is being produced, the system will operate strictly on solar
power, but when the system cannot supply 100% of the demand, your existing home
heating system will provide uninterrupted hot water and home heat regardless of
weather conditions.
Solar collectors
While both flat plate collectors and evacuated tube solar collectors can be used in
radiant heating systems, evacuated tube solar collectors are most frequently
recommended.
harnessing solar energy. Not only is solar radiant a great alternative for heating your
domestic hot water, many homeowners are turning to solar energy to help heat their
homes as well.
A solar water heater sized to handle the heating needs of your home can reduce
home heating costs by 65 - 80%.
There are three types of solar hot water heating systems in common use today
classified by where they are installed.
- 1. Radiant baseboard which is installed at floor level against outside walls.
2. Radiant in-floor heating where heated water is circulated through tubing
installed in either precut sub-floor wood panels, or slightly submerged in a
concrete slab.
3. "Under-floor" or "between the joists" radiant heating. This method uses
polystyrene tubing threaded through the joists below the sub floor to provide
heat to the room above.
- (Please read 3 Types of Radiant Solar Heating for more detailed information).
Although a solar energy heating system is capable of providing 100% of your home's
heating needs on a bright sunny day, it won't be able to provide 100% of your
seasonal heating needs. Instead, the system should be sized to supplement your
existing source of home heat.
When enough solar energy is being produced, the system will operate strictly on solar
power, but when the system cannot supply 100% of the demand, your existing home
heating system will provide uninterrupted hot water and home heat regardless of
weather conditions.
Solar collectors
While both flat plate collectors and evacuated tube solar collectors can be used in
radiant heating systems, evacuated tube solar collectors are most frequently
recommended.
In colder climates, where radiant heating is
more likely to be used, evacuated tube
collectors are more efficient at collecting
sunlight and turning it into heat regardless
of the weather conditions outside.
They also offer superior freeze protection
since they contain no fluids.
more likely to be used, evacuated tube
collectors are more efficient at collecting
sunlight and turning it into heat regardless
of the weather conditions outside.
They also offer superior freeze protection
since they contain no fluids.
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