EcoRenovator - View Single Post - DIY heat pipe (evacuated tube type solar collector)

strider3700 · 01-12-11, 01:56 PM

before going with the evacuated tube method you should figure out exactly what you need the heat for and do the math. They are far more efficient at getting to higher heat but since the collectors have so much empty space in them flat plate comes very close or matches the performance/sqft on clear days. On cloudy days tubes win but an extra 10-50% of not very much heat at all doesn't make any sense money wise in my case.

01-12-11, 01:56 PM	#3
strider3700 Master EcoRenovator Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Vancouver Island BC Posts: 745 Thanks: 23 Thanked 37 Times in 30 Posts	before going with the evacuated tube method you should figure out exactly what you need the heat for and do the math. They are far more efficient at getting to higher heat but since the collectors have so much empty space in them flat plate comes very close or matches the performance/sqft on clear days. On cloudy days tubes win but an extra 10-50% of not very much heat at all doesn't make any sense money wise in my case.