Solar space heating systems harness the solar energy for residential heating applications. By using advanced vacuum tube collectors, a solar water heating system can operate at a temperature of minus 40.
The Northern Lights solar space heating systems use a special solar glycol heating fluid. It can operate in arctic temperatures and work in high temperatures of up to 480F. The solar collectors capture heat and move inside the house through a closed loop system.
After that, the heat can be transferred into the house with the help of radiant floor heating loops, hydronic radiators or air to water heat exchangers present in a forced air furnace. The solar differential controller and a pump control the entire heating loop. The controller enhances the performance of systems while switching on or off the pump as required.
Most solar water heating systems include an energy storage tank – a highly insulated tank. It can store the heat for days until it is required. Most homes in Canada and throughout Northern USA will need enough heat energy during the night when the sun is not available.
The solar energy is stored throughout the day time in the storage tank for further use at home. Remember that, a storage tank works the same as a battery in a solar PV system.
The solar space heating systems work best when they combine with a second zone like domestic hot water or a pool or a hot tub during summer. In this way, you can utilize solar energy in the summer as well as winter. If the summer zone is unavailable, the system needs to be covered in the summer to shut down. Even you can buy special custom covers for your convenience.
Solar Space Heating Systems for Domestic Hot Water
The solar storage tanks work like hot water supply at home. The hydraulic radiator or PEX tubing in concrete floors pumps out the excess energy. The solar storage tank is integrated with a heater present in the furnace. The energy emitted from the hot heating fluid is again transferred to the air through an air to the water heat exchanger or a hot water fan heater like a Modine.
How Do You Size a Home Heating System?
Every home is unique like the size of the house. The size, its surrounding and the insulation value of the home will play a key role in choosing the right solar space heating system. The larger system, the more storage will be needed.
Generally, a 1 x 30 tube vacuum collector for every 300 square feet is highly recommended in the Northern Climates. It can be reduced to a 1 x 20 tube vacuum collector for every 400 square feet in warmer climates.
The storage tank should match to the number of collectors equally. However more is better when it comes to sizing the storage tank. After all, the tanks are available in 50, 80, 119-gallon sizes. For larger homes, it’s highly recommended to add multiple storage tanks and operate them in a parallel fashion. It’s highly recommended to install a minimum number of 40 gallons per 30 tube collector. So, a three collector system will need 120 gallons of storage tank.
Bottom Line –
Now you have got a better overview of solar space heating systems for use at home. Want to install solar space heating kit available at 123 Zero Energy? Please visit the website and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!
