water heating

Using an Electric Heater as a Dump Load

April 12, 2013
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A common question I get asked is “Can I use a standard 120/240 AC heating element or hot water heater element as a DC dump load for my wind turbine/water turbine/solar system?” (Wondering what a dump load is? Click here) (More advanced diversion load info for solar, wind and water power) The answer is yes […]

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How to Choose a Gas Tankless Water Heater

March 13, 2013
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A tankless gas hot water heater might be a good choice for your off the grid home. If you are not familiar with the tankless hot water heater they are a box shaped unit that heats water instantaneously as water passes through it rather than heating water slowly and storing it in a large tank. […]

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Hot Water Heating Systems

March 11, 2013

Domestic hot water will account for about 30% of your home’s energy footprint. Only a few decades ago there were very limited options for the off grid home’s water heating system. Back then the only options were a gas hot water heater, some form of wood boiler or the often high maintenance solar hot water […]

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Ivan Labs El SID DC Circulating Pumps

March 4, 2013
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The Ivan Labs El SID circulating pumps have been the best choice for solar hot water and radiant heat for at least the past few decades. For solar hot water they are used to pump water from the solar collector(s) to the heat exchanger (or storage tank) and sometimes a second pump to pump from […]

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Using Your Wood Stove to Heat Water

March 1, 2013

One of the most overlooked functions of a wood stove is heating water. A few decades ago many wood stoves (especially cook stoves) used what was a called a hot water front in conjunction with a tank (range boiler) beside/behind the wood stove to produce endless hot water. The hot water front (which is nothing […]

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