Solar Hot Water, Fredericton

System

Sun: 2 flat plate solar collectors for hot water

Efficiency: Energy Audit and renovations completed

Cost: Installation: $1700 - tank and 2 collectors.
O&M Many maintenance issues

Date of Installation: Bought
spring '91, installed '92

Type/kind: Residential (6 occupants + pets)

Installer: Self Install

Supplier: Thermodynamics

Experience: Installation and technology has had ongoing issues

Results: Worked well while in operation, temperatures as high as 140 º F

Description of Case Study: System was installed in 1992, and has had several issues over its lifetime. In 1996, plastic piping (connecting the collectors with the heat exchanger) were replaced with 3/8” copper piping, which is better able to withstand high temperatures. The pump was replaced in 1999, as it had worn out. Shortly after that, the glass on one of the collectors collapsed, which effectively shut down the system. It has not been fixed since. The owner hopes to have the system up and running soon, because when it did work, it seemed to work well.