Solar

Solar - Hot Water Heating Systems

D&D has been installing solar hot water heating systems since their inception in 1978. D&D has experienced all of the technological advancements and setbacks made in the solar industry in the last 40 years. D&D has an extensive background in solar hot water heating for use in the production of domestic hot water, pool heating and home heating.

At D&D, we pride ourselves on our environmental history.

D&D Plumbing is always professional with standards above the rest.
Design/Build Process: For solar systems, the design/build process ideally works as follows. A representative from D&D and the homeowner or contractor will determine the solar needs for the home. These needs will then allow D&D to size the solar array, pumps, piping, tanks, and various components. D&D then puts together a proposal for the job.
After D&D is awarded the job, the system design is finalized, and shop drawings are created. Then D&D’s plumbers install and start up the system.
Once the job is complete, an Operating and Maintenance Manual is provided to the homeowner along with system training. In addition, the homeowner can opt to have a D&D service technician come out to the home and perform annual maintenance checks.
Solar Products — Commercial Solar Panels in Reno, NV
System Design and Construction Methods: The following sections describe the design and construction methods used by D&D for solar hot water heating systems. D&D typically installs indirect solar systems where a heat exchanger is used to transfer heat from the solar water collector to potable water or heating water.

Solar Collectors: For Northern Nevada and California, D&D assumes that each square foot of collector will produce 1000 to 2000 BTU/day. Depending on what the solar system is going to be used determines the total number of collectors that should be installed. The collectors are typically piped in a drain-back fashion so that the water drains back to a storage tank when not in use. This prevents freezing of distribution pipes and collector piping.

Solar Storage Tanks: A number of configurations are used for solar storage. The typical configuration consists of a drain-back tank that is used to store the water that goes out to the solar panels. The heat is transferred from the drain back tank to solar storage tanks or a domestic hot water tank through the use of circulating pumps and a heat exchanger. D&D typically sizes the solar storage system based on 1 to 1.5 gallons of storage per square foot of collector. Solar storage tanks range from glass-lined water heater type tanks to large fiberglass tanks.

Controls: The size and complexity of the solar heating system often determine the type and number of controls that are used (for example solar systems that are used for radiant heat will require more controls than a solar system used for the production of domestic hot water). However, at the heart of all solar systems lies a simple differential controller. The differential controller operates the solar circulating pump based on the temperature of the water in the storage tank and the temperature in the solar panels. When the temperature in the panels is greater than the temperature of the storage tank, the solar circulating pump is turned on, water is transferred up to the collectors, and heat is collected.

Solar Hot Water Heating Products: D&D has experience using solar hot water heating equipment made by a variety of manufacturers. D&D strives to provide owners with quality equipment that is pocketbook-friendly.

The following items are some of the solar hot water heating products that we have installed and have had success with.
  • Solar Collectors: Heliodyne and Radco
  • Circulating Pumps: Grundfos, Bell and Gossett, and Taco
  • Controls: Tekmar and Goldline
  • Storage Tanks and Drain Back Tanks: Bradford White and Radco
  • Heat Exchangers: Flat Plate and Weil McLain
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