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Thermomax solar thermal collectors work
in all weather—they do not need direct sunlight to operate.
That's because our solar tubes take 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?
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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.
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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.
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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)
(Full
Screen) [Animated] or (PDF)
This is a simple DHW system using a Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger tank.
2.
DHW combined with a Wood Stove (Full
Screen) [Animated] or (PDF)
As #1 but using the extra ports in the tank to incorporate wood stove
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
(Full Screen)
[Animated] or (PDF)
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
(Full
Screen) [Animated] or (PDF)
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 (Full
Screen) [Animated] or (PDF)
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 wood stove and/or demand gas boiler to be plumbed
directly to the tank.
See # 5B for Wind Generator and Micro Hydro.
5B.
DHW with "Off Grid" Tank with Wind & Hydro Space Heating
(Full Screen)
[Animated] or (PDF)
The original purpose for which the “Off Grid” tank was designed, to receive
energy from intermittent sources - solar thermal, wood stove, 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.
6.
Overall Concept with Triple Coil Tank - Backup by any Fuel
(Full Screen)
[Animated] or (PDF)
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 (Full
Screen) [Animated] or (PDF)
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 (Full
Screen) [Animated] or (PDF)
How to link pool heating with a domestic hot water tank.
9.
Summer Heat Store/Dump for Space Heating System (Full
Screen) [Animated] or (PDF)
Collectors that are over sized 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 Pre-heat System, New or Retrofit (Full
Screen) [Animated] or (PDF)
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.
12.
DHW Pre-Heat For Three or More People (Full
Screen) [Animated] or (PDF)
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.
DHW For Three or More People (Full
Screen) [Animated] or (PDF)
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.
DHW with Fan Convector For Smaller Space Heating (Full
Screen) [Animated] or (PDF)
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.
16.
Commercial Hot Water with Multiple Tanks in Series (Full
Screen) [Animated] or (PDF)
In this example, three (or more) tanks are
connected in series and there is a pump station installed with a corresponding
number of pumps. The tanks are prioritized through sensors, with the priority
going to whichever tank is closest to the hot water output. This is the
most efficient arrangement possible for larger systems as it prioritizes
on a small quantity of water which reaches usable temperature making back
up unnecessary. The less efficient alternative is heating a large body
of water to lower temperature with the same ammount of energy. This requires
a back up boost to usable temperatures.
The object is to stop the back up coming
on rather than counting BTU's!
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