EcoRenovator - View Single Post - Dump the plumbing and use PV to heat water?

Xringer · 04-22-10, 04:10 PM

It sounds like your domestic hot-water doesn't come from your boiler.
You must have a gas hot-water heater.

My original goal was to save some oil during the summer by increasing the
time between burn cycles, by adding in some PV BTUs. (Maybe 240w ~ 819 BTUh).

But, I've been thinking that a bit more-is-better with PV..
And maybe about 1200 to 1300 BTU of extra heat would provide a more substantial oil savings.

I think maybe two high performance panels providing about 400w total might be the right stuff.
And about all my tracking mount can safely carry.

I'm guessing that any more PV-BTUs might over-heat the boiler on a good day.

Going for more power would boost the cost up to the 1k range
and make it a little harder to sell to the little woman..

04-22-10, 04:10 PM	#22
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	280w = 955 BTUh It sounds like your domestic hot-water doesn't come from your boiler. You must have a gas hot-water heater. My original goal was to save some oil during the summer by increasing the time between burn cycles, by adding in some PV BTUs. (Maybe 240w ~ 819 BTUh). But, I've been thinking that a bit more-is-better with PV.. And maybe about 1200 to 1300 BTU of extra heat would provide a more substantial oil savings. I think maybe two high performance panels providing about 400w total might be the right stuff. And about all my tracking mount can safely carry. I'm guessing that any more PV-BTUs might over-heat the boiler on a good day. Going for more power would boost the cost up to the 1k range and make it a little harder to sell to the little woman..