Quote:
Originally Posted by dh1
This has probably been talked about before but can you use the swimming pool solar heating kits to heat water for use in the house.
I'm talking about the flexible mat that is used as the collector in those kits.
Can you put that mat inside a box to use as the collector plate for solar hot water heating?
Can it withstand the temperature inside the box?
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I'll take a stab at that one...
I think that High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is used for them. HDPE has a softening temperature of about 180F.
I think that putting it in a box wouldn't be so good, because the temp could easily go over 180F.
Also, speaking for myself, I wouldn't advise using the water directly for bathing or potable use, because of the possible ill effects of plastic compounds leeching into the water, especially when it is heated.
Now, if you used one of those brazed plate heat exchangers, you'd have no worry.
My 2 cents worth.
-AC_Hacker