Description:

A ground mounted 8 tube Seido-1 model solar hot water collector at a 60 degree angle, connected to a closed propylene glycol filled loop. A 'Purist’ brand model SPC-2-AC Solar Pump Station with a built in heat exchanger, A model MRS50238 50 gal short, Marathon non-metallic electric water heater tank for solar hot water storage (heating elements disabled), The solar heated water goes into a Sears 30 gal urethane lined electric hot water heater.

Maintenance Requirements:

Snow needs to be removed from the tubes with a broom, which is easy because of the steep angle and the fact that the collector is ground mounted. Frost will form on the tubes on some mornings, but it melts quickly when warmed by the sun. Every 5 years the ph of the propylene glycol should be checked, and replaced if necessary.

Advice:

We chose to install a solar hot water heater first, before a photovoltaic system, because it was much less expensive. It turned out we made the right decision. A large State on New Hampshire rebate became available in 2009 for PV systems, and along with federal income tax incentives, made it financially reasonable to then install a photovoltaic array.

Open House Info:

GREEN BUILDINGS OPEN HOUSE Saturday Oct. 13 - 10 am to 4 pm Michael and Kathy Nerrie 507 March Hill Road Walpole, NH 03608 DRIVING DIRECTIONS from Walpole and from Keene: From the post office in downtown Walpole, go south on Main Street a few hundred feet. Turn left onto Prospect Hill Road. Go 0.75 mile up long hill. Just past the golf course, take slight left onto Maple Grove Road. Go 0.75 mile. Stay left of Toles Automotive then bear right onto March Hill Road. Go 2.25 miles. Driveway is on left just past a large run-down arched roof barn on right. From bandstand in Central Square in Keene, take Court Street north 2.5 miles to traffic light. There is a 7/11 convenience store on right just before intersection. Turn right onto Route 12A North. Go 8 miles. Turn left onto Walpole Valley Road. Go 2 miles. Turn left onto March Hill Road. Go 0.25 mile. Driveway is on right.

Links: