In terms of technique, the easiest way to accomplish this is to plumb a valve in parallel with the systems' check valve, and have the customer open it when nighttime diversion is necessary (middle of summer, customer on vacation, no draw on system, etc). Unless the piping size or path limits it, heat will dissipate through the collectors passively via reverse thermosyphon, especially if using 1" or larger pipe.
Kirk Herander Vermont Solar Engineering 802.863.1202 NABCEP(tm) Certified Solar Installer NYSERDA-eligible Installer VT Solar Incentive Program Partner _____ From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Nicholas Ponzio Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 2009 10:54 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] solar hot water nighttime recirc Apologies if this has already been discussed here. One heat diversion method I hear suggested often is recirculating through the collectors (flatplate) at night. Are there any data, calculations or anecdotal evidence on the effectiveness of this approach? That is, can I really radiate as much energy back to a dark sky as I collect during the day? Thanks for any feedback.
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