Solar Radiant systems

Solar Radiant Systems are used to heat domestic water and heat the building. How does it work- water is circulated through a piping system that consists of a solar collector (mounted on the exterior or roof of a building), a hot water storage tank, flow control manifold, and a tubular piping system in floor of the building acting as the heat exchanger.

The Solar collector heats the water as it passes through the collector by using the suns thermal radiant energy. The heated water is then pumped into the hot water storage tank for collection. At this point the water can be utilized for domestic hot water us, or as a heat deliver source for the building by passing the heated water through a tubular piping system embedded into the floor of the building. As the heated water flows through the floor, the water losses its heat energy into the floor surface. The heat then rises through the floor and heats the air in the room indirectly. Providing natural heat throughout the building. The heating can be controlled automatically using a programmable thermostat or by manual control by opening and closing the manifold valves that control each heat zone in the building. Typically, the water can be heated in excess of 250 degrees Fahrenheit in a day.

The system is very easily installed and is low in maintenance. A auxiliary heating souse, such as a traditional electric or gas hot water heater can be installed in-line to augment the heated water production if required on low solar light days.

If this system is used in conjunction with a passively design building, the building will not require a traditional heat pump or air delivery duct system to move heat conditioned air through out the building.

Installation of the radiant floor tubing.

Roof mounted radiant solar collector

Radiant system hot water storage tanks. Two tanks are commonly used to ensure that hot water being used for heating the building can be readily and efficiently circulated through the floor without depleting the domestic hot water supply.

This diagram shows a typical radiant system configuration. It is comprised of 4 parts; 1)Solar collector that collects solar radiation from the sun and heats the water. 2)Hot water storage tanks that store the solar heated water for use in domestic hot water supply in sinks washer, and showers and for use in the radiant floor pipes. 3)Control manifold that regulates where the water is used (Zoned like a standard HVAC system in a large building) 4)Circulation pumps are used to move the water through the system continuously.

Radiant manifold; used to control multiple zones of floor heating within a building.