4 ms·

Winterizing the lines, leaks, and the added weight are the downsides to this. If you are in a climate where you don't need to winterize, you are probably in a

Winterizing the lines, leaks, and the added weight are the downsides to this. If you are in a climate where you don't need to winterize, you are probably in a climate where you can get away with a heat pump on your water heater/pool/AC. In fact, they make AC adapters that dump excess heat into the pool. I really want this to work, but heatpumps just make a lot more sense with a lot less cost.

btbuildem 3y ago
From what I've seen, solar preheaters in the northern climes tend to use antifreeze instead of water, and have an exchanger in the loop. This way they can withstand below-freezing temps overnight, and be functional in the sunshine of the day. The additional benefit here being that you potable water isn't travelling through materials that are potentially degrading in the sun.
- f-securus 3y ago
  I think you would only do it for the hot water input which isn’t potable after it runs through a traditional hot water heater?
  - idiotsecant 3y ago
    Why isn't hot water potable?
    - e2e8 3y ago
      According to the EPA: "Hot water dissolves lead more quickly than cold water and is therefore more likely to contain greater amounts of lead. Never use water from the hot water tap for drinking, cooking, or making baby formula." The applicability of this advice is probably quite variable. [0] https://www.epa.gov/lead/why-cant-i-use-hot-water-tap-drinking-cooking-or-making-baby-formula https://www.epa.gov/lead/why-cant-i-use-hot-water-tap-drinki...
      - eric-hu 3y ago
        In addition to this, tank water heater systems include a sacrificial anode rod. Water heater tanks include different metals in contact with the water, which creates a galvanic cell. Over time this corrodes the least noble metal. The rod is added in the design to corrode before pipes do. The rod is usually magnesium, aluminum or aluminum-zinc. It slowly but steadily leeches out the rod metal into the hot water supply.
      - fbdab103 3y ago
        Serious question: do we still install lead pipes anywhere? If no, when would be the threshold year where installation started to drop off for various reasons? I have heard that pex plumbing has taken over, but I have no idea if that is only for residential, but commercial use is something else entirely.

btbuildem 3y ago

From what I've seen, solar preheaters in the northern climes tend to use antifreeze instead of water, and have an exchanger in the loop. This way they can withstand below-freezing temps overnight, and be functional in the sunshine of the day. The additional benefit here being that you potable water isn't travelling through materials that are potentially degrading in the sun.

f-securus 3y ago
I think you would only do it for the hot water input which isn’t potable after it runs through a traditional hot water heater?
- idiotsecant 3y ago
  Why isn't hot water potable?
  - e2e8 3y ago
    According to the EPA: "Hot water dissolves lead more quickly than cold water and is therefore more likely to contain greater amounts of lead. Never use water from the hot water tap for drinking, cooking, or making baby formula." The applicability of this advice is probably quite variable. [0] https://www.epa.gov/lead/why-cant-i-use-hot-water-tap-drinking-cooking-or-making-baby-formula https://www.epa.gov/lead/why-cant-i-use-hot-water-tap-drinki...
    - eric-hu 3y ago
      In addition to this, tank water heater systems include a sacrificial anode rod. Water heater tanks include different metals in contact with the water, which creates a galvanic cell. Over time this corrodes the least noble metal. The rod is added in the design to corrode before pipes do. The rod is usually magnesium, aluminum or aluminum-zinc. It slowly but steadily leeches out the rod metal into the hot water supply.
    - fbdab103 3y ago
      Serious question: do we still install lead pipes anywhere? If no, when would be the threshold year where installation started to drop off for various reasons? I have heard that pex plumbing has taken over, but I have no idea if that is only for residential, but commercial use is something else entirely.