Limitations of Glycol Solar Water Heating Systems (Part I)
I’ve recently been seeing more and more new construction projects designed to include solar hot water systems, especially in the government sector. This seems like it should be a good thing for the growth of our burgeoning little industry as a whole. It’s indicating that more architects and engineers are getting comfortable with embracing renewable energy.
The down-side to this fact is that the vast majority of these systems are being designed by individuals with little or no practical “in the field” experience about what makes a solar hot water system live or die. Not surprisingly, designers with limited real world experience go straight to their ASHRAE manual for pointers on how to put a system together. Here they will invariably be presented with the recipe for a pressurized glycol system.
In the next few blog posts I am going to address the shortcomings inherent in the design of ALL glycol solar thermal systems. Get started with the video below. And as always, leave your thoughts in the comment box below. Thanks!
Dr. Ben
3 Responses to “Limitations of Glycol Solar Water Heating Systems (Part I)”
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Solar power is a very good alternative for electricity when you want to save up electric bills. It is also very practical to use renewable energy to things that we essentially need like heating hot water. I wish you could do more! T- up!
First, let me thank you for the wealth of information you made available. It has been incredibly useful.
In this video you say the Glycol systems must be under pressure. Why is that?
Thanks, -john-
John,
Glycol systems degrade rapidly in the presence of air and at high temperature. To keep the air out, the system must be pressurized, with all the paraphernalia that entails – air vents, expansion tank, check valve, etc.