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Architectural Drawings for Solar Thermal Systems

    Scope
    Scope Images
    Image
    Plumbing riser detail
    Scope

    Provide an architectural drawing and riser diagram for the homeowner showing the planned location for future solar hot water and photovoltaic system components. Space requirements and layout for solar water heating and photovoltaic system components should be taken into account early in the design process. 

    See the Compliance Tab for related codes and standards requirements, and criteria to meet national programs such as DOE’s Zero Energy Ready Home programENERGY STAR Single-Family New Homes, and Indoor airPLUS.

    Description
    Description

    A renewable energy-ready home (RERH) is one that is built with the wiring and plumbing conduit and other components in place to facilitate the future installation of solar photovoltaic panels and/or solar water heating panels. Some energy-efficiency programs, like the U.S. Department of Energy’s DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Program, require homes to be renewable-energy ready.

    When constructing a home to be renewable energy ready, develop architectural drawings and plumbing riser diagrams that summarize the installed system equipment (pipe chase, etc.). The drawings should accurately represent the installed elements of the system during the final inspection of the house; these drawings should be included in the homeowner education packet.

    To meet the requirements of the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home program, the builder should provide a basic architectural drawing to the homeowner summarizing where the equipment is located within the house (see Figure 1). The builder should also provide the homeowner with a plumbing riser detail of the solar water heating system components. This diagram should have sufficient detail to clearly identify:

    • Pipe chase size and type
    • Length of chase from the designated roof/attic termination point to the utility room
    • Designated location and allotted space size of future hot water tank
    • Designated location and allotted space size of pump package mounting panel.

    How to Create an Architectural Drawing for Solar Hot Water:

    1. Create a plumbing riser diagram like the one shown in Figure 1 that includes all of the following components of the solar hot water system:
      • Proposed location and square footage for the solar hot water panel array on the roof (preferably directly above the utility room)
      • Pipe chase from attic to utility room with size, type, and location clearly indicated.
      • Utility room space that contains
        • 3’ x 3’ x 7’ extra space for a solar hot water heater
        • a 3’ x 2’ plywood panel mounted on the wall adjacent to the solar hot water tank location for balance of system components
        • a solar bypass valve on the cold inlet to the existing water heater
        • access to the plumbing and wiring chase that extends to the proposed solar thermal panel array on the roof. 
    Provide the home owner with an architectural drawing showing the location of existing and future solar water heating system components.
    Figure 1. Provide the home owner with an architectural drawing showing the location of existing and future solar water heating system components (Source: Courtesy of EPA). 

     

    Success
    Ensuring Success

    Ensure adequate utility room size and location for solar water heating and photovoltaic system components early in the house design process. 

    Confirm with local code officials early in the design process what steps are needed to guarantee that installation of solar water heating panels will meet with local codes, homeowner's association covenants, and historic district regulations. See the article on building codes and regulations related to solar water heating systems at Energy.gov for additional information.

    Climate
    Climate

    The DOE Zero Energy Ready Home PV-Ready Checklist (Revision 07)  is required only under the following condition related to climate (See the Compliance Tab  for other exceptions):

    • Location, based on zip code, has at least 5 kWh/m2/day average daily solar radiation based on annual solar insolation using the PVWatts online tool. See map below. 

    In climates where freezing temperatures are likely to occur, a closed-loop anti-freeze system with a heat exchanger will keep outdoor water pipes from freezing and bursting.

    Map of average daily solar radiation.
    Figure 1. Map of average daily solar radiation per month (Source: Best Practices Series, Volume 6, High Performance Home Technologies: Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic Systems 2007). 

     

    Training
    Presentations
    Compliance

    Compliance

    The Compliance tab contains both program and code information. Code language is excerpted and summarized below. For exact code language, refer to the applicable code, which may require purchase from the publisher. While we continually update our database, links may have changed since posting. Please contact our webmaster if you find broken links.

    DOE Zero Energy Ready Home (Revision 07)

    Exhibit 1 Mandatory Requirements.
    Exhibit 1, Item 1) Certified under the ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes Program or the ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction Program.
    Exhibit 1, Item 7) Provisions of the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home PV-Ready Checklist are Completed.

    DOE recommends but does not require solar thermal water systems. See the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Solar Hot Water-Ready Checklist (Encouraged)

     

    2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, and 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)

    Section R401.3 A permanent certificate shall be posted on or near the electrical distribution panel that lists types and efficiencies of water heating, heating, and cooling equipment, as well as insulation R values, and window U and SHGC factors.

    Retrofit:  2009, 2012, 2015, 2018,  and 2021 IECC

    Section R101.4.3 (in 2009 and 2012). Additions, alterations, renovations, or repairs shall conform to the provisions of this code, without requiring the unaltered portions of the existing building to comply with this code. (See code for additional requirements and exceptions.)

    Chapter 5 (in 2015, 2018, 2021). The provisions of this chapter shall control the alteration, repair, addition, and change of occupancy of existing buildings and structures.

     

    2009, 2012, 20152018, and 2021 International Residential Code (IRC)

    M2301 Solar Energy Systems (Solar Thermal Energy Systems in 2015 and 2018 IRC)  - See requirements for solar water heating systems.
    Section N1101.3 (Section N1107.1.1 in 2015 and 2018 IRC). Additions, alterations, renovations, or repairs shall conform to the provisions of this code, without requiring the unaltered portions of the existing building to comply with this code. (See code for additional requirements and exceptions.)

    Retrofit:  2009, 2012, 2015, 2018,  and 2021 IRC

    Section R102.7.1 Additions, alterations, or repairs. Additions, alterations, renovations, or repairs shall conform to the provisions of this code, without requiring the unaltered portions of the existing building to comply with the requirements of this code, unless otherwise stated. (See code for additional requirements and exceptions.)

    Appendix J regulates the repair, renovation, alteration, and reconstruction of existing buildings and is intended to encourage their continued safe use.

     

    200920122015, and 2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC)

    Follow the requirements for solar water heating systems found in the IMC, Chapter 14, Solar Systems (Solar Thermal Systems in 2018 IMC).

    More

    More Info.

    Access to some references may require purchase from the publisher. While we continually update our database, links may have changed since posting. Please contact our webmaster if you find broken links.

    Case Studies
    References and Resources*
    Author(s)
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    Organization(s)
    EPA
    Publication Date
    Description
    Specifications to assist builders in designing and constructing homes equipped with a set of features that make the installation of solar energy systems after the completion of the home’s construction easier and less expensive.
    Author(s)
    FSEC
    Organization(s)
    FSEC
    Publication Date
    Description
    Website with information for consumers about solar thermal systems for homes.
    Author(s)
    Aldrich Robb
    Organization(s)
    Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
    CARB,
    Steven Winter Associates,
    SWA
    Publication Date
    Description
    Brochure on specifications for solar thermal systems.
    *For non-dated media, such as websites, the date listed is the date accessed.
    Contributors to this Guide

    The following authors and organizations contributed to the content in this Guide.

    Sales
    Building Science Measures
    Building Science-to-Sales Translator

    Solar DHW Ready Home =

    Image(s)
    Technical Description

    Solar hot water systems use energy from the sun to heat water for use in the home. The easiest time to prepare a home for the installation of these systems is during design and construction. A solar hot water-ready home does this by providing plumbing lines from the attic to the hot water heater, chases for wiring, documentation that the roof is designed to support the extra weight of the solar thermal panels, adequate roof space for the solar collector array that is not shaded, and adequate space in the utility room for an additional solar hot water tank, pumps, and controls. 


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