Thermomax solar thermal collectors work in all weather—they do not need direct sunlight to operate. That's because Thermomax takes advantage of diffuse radiation, as well as direct radiation, delivering the sun's energy even on cold, cloudy or foggy days.

How is this possible?

• The key is a vacuum tube—the outside air temperature has little influence. This means you can get hot water even in bad weather and add heat to a tank that is already hot.

• The Thermomax Solar Energy System integrates easily with your existing hot water system. Major alterations are not required. Position is not critical and it can be mounted to suit your situation. It does not need to point straight south.

• Because of it’s high efficiency, Thermomax is the most practical solar system available.

For more information visit our FAQ's page or our FACTS page.

Applications

Drawings listed below are linked to animated schematics. This will assist you in choosing which application would suit your situation. Click here for printer friendly schematics.

1. Domestic Hot Water (DHW)   [Animated]
This is a simple DHW system using a Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger tank.

2. DHW combined with a Wood Stove   [Animated]
As #1 but using the extra ports in the tank to incorporate woodstove heating. This is possible in a single tank because the Thermomax collectors are able to add heat to a tank that is already hot – even in adverse weather.

3. DHW, Wood Stove and a Hot Tub   [Animated]
As #2 but adding a top coil to take heat out for a hot tub. Hot tubs cannot be used as heat stores as they must stay at a constant temperature.

4. DHW, Wood Stove and Space Heating   [Animated]
A very practical way to combine these three – but also check out #5 for the ultimate versatility.

5. Overall Concept for Off Grid with Demand Gas Boiler   [Animated]
This tank, which doubles as an electric boiler, is designed to store Domestic Hot Water. It has one heat exchange coil to add solar heat, one to take heat off to radiant floor or hot tub applications and connections for up to 12kw of electric elements, which can be used to add heat from any electrical generation system, or, as a dump for excess wattage from PV, micro-hydro or other integrated systems. In addition, connections are provided for optional woodstove and/or demand gas boiler to be plumbed directly to the tank.
See # 15 for Wind Generator and Micro Hydro.

6. Overall Concept with Triple Coil Tank - Backup by any Fuel   [Animated]
We have installed many of these tanks and their natural stratification eliminates the need for expensive and troublesome controls. In practice not all components may be used, but this shows what is possible. Similar to the above Off Grid tank, the third coil allows a high efficiency electric, gas, propane, or oil boiler to be added for backup, making this a mainstream system for high end homes - as well as a versatile one for "off grid" systems. It also allows for system expansion to incorporate future technologies. An electric element connection is offered for DHW backup.

7. Larger, Institutional and Commercial Schematic   [Animated]
Expandable tanking for commercial installations. This provides quick recovery for a small volume of water then goes on to preheat the upstream water. This is a most efficient way to keep the backup from coming on.
See # 10 for retrofit configuration.

8. Solar Swimming Pool with DHW Priority   [Animated]
How to link pool heating with a domestic hot water tank.

9. Summer Heat Store/Dump for Space Heating System   [Animated]
Collectors that are oversized for winter heating may need a system for storing or dumping excess heat in the summer. It is preferable to continue circulating the system than to turn it off because this extends the life of the glycol and reduces the risk of future maintenance problems. This can be achieved by diverting the flow from the heat exchange coil to a heat store or some heat dump mechanism. Alternatively, one could heat a seasonal pool or hot tub.

10. Commercial Hot Water Preheat System, New or Retrofit   [Animated]
The high temperature capabilities of the Thermomax Collectors allow a simple preheat system for commercial installations. The preheat tank(s) are heated rapidly by the solar array until they are 10°F above the temperature in the main tank. A small circulating pump is then activated to circulate both tanks together and the solar can push the total volume of water up to the high limit set point. A tempering valve is recommended on the main DHW outlet. This is very efficient and does not interfere with an existing system.

The Solamax Collector

Sketches 11 to 14 incorporate three new concepts that simplify DHW system installation and reduce cost dramatically, without reducing quality or performance.

11. Solamax Domestic Hot Water For One or Two People   [Animated]
Using the three innovations above, this least expensive system will give hot water for two people. The limiting factor in using a single tank system is backup. In a home with low water usage backup is achieved by turning on the elements in the evening on a timer for a brief period, allowing the tank to be topped up with enough heat to last until the next day. If the tank is up to temperature they won’t actually come on. A Tempering Valve should be added to the outlet for safety.

12. Solamax Domestic Hot Water Pre-Heat For Three or More People   [Animated]
If more backup is needed a preheat tank is used. This can be in inexpensive 50 or 60 gallon tank placed close to the existing one. The elements are not used in the preheat tank.

13. Solamax Domestic Hot Water For Three or More People   [Animated]
This is an interesting version of #12, with more capacity. It utilizes the extra storage available in the main tank above the temperature that the elements are set at. This is the most efficient domestic hot water system for a large family.

14. Solamax DHW with Fan Convector For Smaller Space Heating   [Animated]
We are often asked about space heating, which the Thermomax vacuum tube collectors are very good at. Some areas are better than others, but the main problem is what to do with surplus heat in the summer. Without a swimming pool, sizing up a collector for space heating is not always practical.

Here is a cost effective way of sizing up a DHW system to provide some heat in specific areas of the home without interfering with the main heating system. The heat switches to the fan convector when the tank is hot.

15. Thermomax DHW with "Off Grid" Tank with Wind & Hydro Space Heating   [Animated]
The original purpose for which the “Off Grid” tank was designed, to receive energy from intermittent sources - solar thermal, woodstove, wind, micro hydro, PV – and store it as heat for use as DHW, space heating, hot tub etc. This tank is very versatile and should be the heart of any off grid system. It can be adapted to any future technology easily.

It's ability to use a demand gas boiler as backup is not shown – see #5 for this.
 

Conceptual Closed Loop Installation

Closed Loop Kit
 

Hydronic Heating Systems

A Hydronic Heating System is one based on water as the medium of heat collection, storage, and delivery. A hydronic system can be divided into three basic components:

16. Low Power Radiant System

1. Heat Source - e.g. solar collectors, wood stove, geothermal, or a high efficiency boiler using electric, natural gas, propane, oil or wood.

2. Heat Store - for typical installations a water tank with one, two or three heat exchange coils. For larger systems a thermal mass (e.g. water, concrete or rock). Phase change materials can also be incorporated.

3. Application - Domestic hot water, space heating, hot tub, towel rail, snow melt commercial hot water for hospitals, nursing homes, car washes, laundromats, etc. For space heating, a radiant system is recommended.

Facts

• Over 2,000,000 Thermomax Solar Tubes are in daily use in over 40 countries worldwide.

• From a pollution perspective, installing a 30 tube Thermomax collector is equivalent to removing one car from service.

• Thermomax Collectors are the best you can buy.

• More facts.