THERMAL-MASS FOUNDATION

SOLAR THERMAL COLLECTORS

HEAT

By: Pauline B Guntlow, Designer/General Contractor Copyright 2018

guntlowpauline@comcast.net 802 823 5328

REASON PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) IS MOREPOPULAR THAN SOLAR THERMAL

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1. Energy efficiency of house does not matter.

2. Front money to lease PV is available to home owner.

3. Electric companies will supply or credit excess production.

SOLAR THERMAL POPULARITY LAGS BEHIND PV BECAUSE:

1. Solar thermal requires energy efficient structure.

2. System requires method to “store” heat when sun does not shine.

3. The “how to” technology for solar thermal is far less publicized than info about PV’s.

CLOSED LOOP THERMAL SOLAR COLLECTORS

ACTIVE SOLAR

DEBTH OF ROOF OVERHANG DEPENDS ON LATITUDE

Sketch by: Marsh Ass.Boulder, CO

PASSIVE SOLAR

NICK’S RETROFIT SKI LODGE

1. 3000 s.f. concrete floor & earth removed to 16”.

2. Used 2” rigid insulation to line box; layered sand with PEX tubing grid, to store heat; added more sand and another PEX grid for radiant heat.

4. Insulated the exterior of house; replaced windows with triple pane.

5. Installed 27 solar thermal collectors on barn roof.

27 SOLAR THERMAL COLLECTORS ON BARN ROOF - Heat transferred Underground 75 feet.

THERMAL-MASS FOUNDATION

Grid I - Pre-heats water and thermal-mass

Grid II - Heats potable water & radiant floors

If glycol fluid reaches excessive temperature, fluid flows to underground loop, where soil is 55 degrees ….

Or heat can be diverted, i.e. – a swimming pool.

GRID III – EXTERIOR LOOP

Anti freeze solution does not mix with domestic water

HOT WATER HEATER

INSULATED CONCRETE FORMS (ICF’s)

Rated R-24 (Sufficient for exterior temperature below 0 degrees)

PEX TUBING CONNECTIONS IN MECHANICAL ROOM

GRID 1: SOLAR THERMAL LOOP PREHEATS WATER,

FLOWS THRU THERMAL-MASS TO SHED HEAT

COMPACTED SAND LAYER

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GRID 2: RADIANT LOOP HEATS:POTABLE WATER and RADIANT FLOORS

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CONCRETE SLAB COVERS - 6 “ FLOWABLE FILL LAYER

HOUSE PARTIALLY FRAMED

LONG SIDE OF HOUSE (52 feet) FACES SOUTH –ROOF HAS THREE FOOT OVERHANG

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(RADIANT HEATS BOTTOM HALF OF ROOM)INHABITANTS ARE WARMED AT LOWER TEMP.

TEMPERTURE

Drawing: Warmboard

RADIANT USED FORSECOND FLOOR

MECHANICAL ROOM

1. Floor constructed 4 inches lower than main floor, with drain.

2. Walls insulated with foam to reduce any noise.

3. Plywood used for walls to attach apparatus.

119 GALLON WATER TANK

50 Gallon Water Tank, Expansion Tank

CONTROLS

PLUMBING EQUIPMENT

FILLING SOLAR THERMAL COLLECTOR LOOP, with 35 GALLONS of NON-TOXIC ANTI FREEZE

OPEN CELL SPRAY FOAM INSULATION

WHOLE HOUSE VENTILATION SYSTEM

MARVIN THERMOPANE WINDOWS

Each main room had

Each main room has window facing south

EXTERIOR WRAPPED WITH INSULATION WITH RAIN SCREEN

AET COLLECTORS HAVE “SRCC” CERTIFICATION CERTIFICATION”

SOLAR THERMAL FLAT PLATE COLLECTORS

SOLAR THERMAL COLLECTORS

BAMBOO FLOORING OVER RADIANT HEAT

CONCRETE FLOOR STAINED BROWN ENHANCES PASSIVE

KITCHEN FLOOR AREA NOT SCORED

OPEN FLOOR PLAN

FLOORS REPLICATE LARGE BLOCKSOF GRANITE

SOUTHERN EXPOSURE ENHANCES PASSIVE SOLAR

STAINED AND SCORED CONCRETE FLOOREFFICIENT WOOD BURNING STOVE

CATHEDRAL CEILING IN LIVING AND DINING AREA

WINDOWS POSITIONED ON WEST SIDE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF VIEW

STANDING SEAM METAL ROOF

HOUSE RECEIVES FIVE STAR ENERGY RATING

Average monthly Propane co. estimate (without thermal-mass): $163

Average monthly cost for Jordan’s house: $72

Average estimated cost for natural gas: $35

GOAL WAS MET …

Solar thermal home built in Vermont in 2010