solar hot water for floor heating and/or domestic hot water?
When I was researching ways to use solar water heating for floor heating, I came across this schema. Since san mateo highland is always cold 12 months a year, I thought raising the water temperature to even luke warm temp may help with my gas bill.
http://www.radiantcompany.com/system/open.shtml
When considering this solution, I had two challenges.
1. to find a competent contractors who can install systems in this schmatics at a cost that makes sense.
2. to determine whether radiant heating pipes are safe to carry potable water -- domestic water. I think there were a few who used water heater for floor heating. I would love to find out what their experiences are.
3. to find out the efficacy of solar system in the winter when I need it the most. Does it heat it at all or work as heat sink and lower the water temp lower than the inlet water?
Anyone any idea?
SungSim
Caveat: I am not a plumber nor a hydronic heat installer nor do I play one either one on TV.
I would be very cautious about using any water that has been in my radiant heat pipes for potable use. On the site you linked I see that there are valve settings that could isolate sections of the radiant heat system and allow water to sit. (From what I understand, it does not take very long for water sitting in pipes to become undrinkable.) I don't see ways to flush those lines out with out having the potable supply to into the house contaminated.
Even if you can convince yourself that you have a safe system you will also need to convince your local building and safety department. I suspect that you will have a difficult time on that one.
All that said, I am interested in solar pre-heat of both domestic (potable) and radiant heat water. I am in the early stage of investigation (general system design, costs, return on investment, weight on roof, reliability, possible installers, etc.). I would be interested in what you come up with and how your permitting process worked out.
