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SOLAR HEATING SYSTEM CONSTRUCTION LOG
PROGRESS
REPORT:
October
14: Installing the Aquastar propane backup water heater
The
Aquastar
is a heat-on-demand unit that senses the temperature of
the water coming
from the 80 gallon solar heated water tank and
fires up it's
propane burners in proportion to the amount of heat
needed to get
the water output temperature to a preset level (140F). This
water is then
circulated into the radiant floor. Ideally the
Aquastar
only runs at
night or when the outside temperatures on sunny
days drops below
freezing. I am using model
AQ125-BLP-S
that is
rated for propane
service in a recirculating solar installation.
I installed the
unit (minus case) and the power vent unit today.
This required
cutting an 8" X 8" hole in the side of the barn for the
exhaust vent.
It was interesting that I ended up with a perfect
8" square by
3" thick section of spray in foam insulation - a
perfect demo
piece!
The power vent
is an exhaust blower that turns on when it
senses gas pressure
in the Aquastar manifold (i.e.. burner lit).
It is only needed
when you are concerned about negative draft,
or you don't
have room for a tall vent pipe.
Yesterday I finished
plumbing in the heat exchanger manifold.
My utility room
is looking more and more like a submarine
inside with all
this complex plumbing on the walls. It certainly
feels like I
have plumbed an entire submarine at this point!