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Storage Tanks for Solar Thermal Space Heating

In general, solar thermal space heating installations that include storage use either water or sand as the heat storage medium. They use one big tank or a series of smaller ones plumbed together to provide the same volume of storage. If the system uses a single tank, it's generally unsealed: the tank can be opened without affecting the system, unlike pressurized tanks for domestic hot water applications. Both drainback and pressurized solar thermal systems can use storage tanks for space heating purposes.

Control Systems for Air-Based Space Heating

Unlike liquid-based solar thermal systems, air-based installations do not suffer when they are allowed to remain idle. This advantage works to your benefit when setting up control systems, as you only need to figure out how to switch the system on when it's needed and off when it isn't.

How to Set Up a Storage Tank for Solar Thermal Space Heating

If you're installing a solar thermal space heating system and including a storage tank, you need to bear several important factors in mind, beyond the basics of materials and the practicalities of installation.

The best storage tanks are those with no joints or seams to provide weak points for leaks. Of course, since the water has to get in and out somehow, a totally seamless tank is impossible. In practical terms, your tank will need:

Planning Your Solar Thermal Installation

Before you choose a solar thermal system for your home, it's important to go through the steps of energy conservation. We've said it before and we'll say it again: improving your home's energy efficiency is less expensive and more effective than any new renewable energy installation in the short term.

Multiple Storage Tanks in Solar Space Heating

A multi-tank installation usually costs a lot more than a single-tank design and requires a lot more equipment and piping. The advantage is that the layout is a lot more flexible and retrofitting can be much simpler with several small tanks, rather than trying to get one monster tank through doorways.

Shading Considerations for Solar Thermal Collectors

The ideal location for a solar thermal collector array is one in which the sun's radiation falls full and unobstructed on the collector surface between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., with the collector facing the noon sun directly. However, the perfect location isn't always available, so here are some pointers to help you decide whether a site is acceptable or not.

How Heat is Delivered to a Living Space

Setting up a solar thermal space heating system is only one side of the renewable energy heating coin. The other side is actually delivering the heat the installation generates to your home. Assuming you've chosen an appropriate system for your needs, you have captured the sun's energy and either stored it or have it ready to be dumped straight into the building. What next?

How to Size a Solar Thermal Storage Tank and Collector Array

In practical terms, choosing the right size for your solar thermal hot water storage tank and collector array is one of the most important aspects of system planning. Get the wrong sizes and you could be in trouble - too small and your grid-tied bills will be unnecessarily expensive and the system risks overheating; too large and your installation costs will be too high.

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