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Forums > Green Building Technologies > Solar and Wind Power > Subject: Solar heat source for radiant heat

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baran3User is Offline
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Posts:1
11/29/2007 9:11 PM  
I live in southern Pennsylvania. I just completed a 30x60x14 shop with a radiant floor. The concrete is 6 inches thick and insulated underneath with 1" foam board.  In the center of the build are two pre-existing concrete pads about 15 feet in diameter and probably 8" thick that my slab was poured on top of (no insulation). So pretty much the center 3rd of my slab is 14" thick.

I am interested in heating this shop with a solar heat source (solar vacuum tubes), but wonder how well they will work in the winter in my location. I have read claims of 50-70% of heating needs for a house. I would like to almost exclusively use solar because I will not be present in the building the majority of the time. I would be happy if i could keep the inside temp around 50 degrees. 

is it reasonable to assume that i could achieve this temperature almost solely relying on a solar system (perhaps have electric water heater for backup).  will my large thermal mass hold me through the nights and days where not much heat is generated.

I am hoping that my below average acceptable temperature and large thermal mass will make a solar system possible and efficient. I will house manufacturing equipment and need the heat avoid rusting from temperature swings.
PanelCraftersUser is Offline
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Posts:1323
11/30/2007 8:31 PM  
Posted By baran3 on 11/29/2007 9:11 PM
I live in southern Pennsylvania....is it reasonable to assume that i could achieve this temperature almost solely relying on a solar system (perhaps have electric water heater for backup).  will my large thermal mass hold me through the nights and days where not much heat is generated.

1st of all, PA has a fairly low Solar Isolation(2.0 to 2.5) so there is only a finite amount of energy available. How well is the structure insulated(walls/roof)? Your static ground temperatures are almost enough to get you there.

You should probably also consider a method of storing the energy(tank) as you won't want to waste it by just pouring it into the floor(and overheating the place).

Also, you'll need a way to regulate the water temp as you don't want to be utilizing water that is too hot.

Good Luck!
....jc
If you're not building with OSB SIPS(or ICF's), why are you building?
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Forums > Green Building Technologies > Solar and Wind Power > Solar heat source for radiant heat


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