PH-79-02-4 -- Cost and Performance of Five Solar Heating Systems Utilizing Wet Heat Pumps

There has been a great deal written about solar heating installations. Unfortunately, much has been directed to the do-it yourselfer, and to research type installations. Very little has been available from mechanical contractors performing work for the individual owner - in the open market situation.

This paper is intended to discuss five practical solar systems assembled from readily available equipment and material and installed under normal construction conditions by a mechanical contractor. All equipment is operated within its normal design limitations and without modifications. The systems were designed and installed with simplicity, longevity (20 years plus), and minimum maintenance in mind. They were in no way intended to be experimental. All but one (O-JR) was financed by private capital. The system of building 0-3R was installed under the first round of demonstration projects managed by ERDA (now OOE), but it still was conducted in very much the same construction climate as the others. Performance of the systems was generally better than expected.

An attempt has been made to correlate various size systems I installed costs with popular parameters. Further, several problems encountered are openly discussed.

Citation: ASHRAE Transactions, Volume 85, Part 1, Philadelphia, PA



Product Code(s): D-PH-79-02-4