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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 withs
by 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 agoI 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 agoWhy isn't hot water potable?
- e2e8 3y agoAccording 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 agoIn 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 agoSerious 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.