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Utility Room Space for Solar Thermal Systems

    Scope
    Scope Images
    Image
    Utility room floor plan showing solar hot water tank
    Scope

    Include adequate utility room space for a solar hot water storage tank on a floor plan of the utility room when building a Renewable Energy Ready Home (RERH).  Space requirements for solar water heating and photovoltaic system components should be taken into account early in the house 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, the solar hot water storage tank is one of two major components of a solar water heating system that are installed in the utility room. Typically, a domestic hot water solar system with an 80- to 120-gallon storage tank will require approximately 9 square feet of floor space with 7 feet of total vertical clearance. The builder should designate a space no less than 3 ft x 3 ft wide by 7 ft high and locate it near the home’s hot water heater so that any pipe running between the two components can be kept to a minimum. Since the pipe run or pipe chase of the solar hot water system will terminate directly above this space, it should be free of all electrical wiring and service panels as well as windows. Labeling this area as an RERH component is recommended, as is recording its location on a plumbing riser diagram. Once installed, the solar hot water storage tank should become the primary source of hot water, whereas the home’s existing water heater should serve as a backup heating source.

    The second major component installed in the utility room is the plywood panel for mounting system components including the pumping package. This panel is described in the guide Mounting Surface for Pumps and Gauges. Additional details on all of the solar water heating system components and requirements can be found in the EPA’s Renewable Energy Ready Home (RERH) Solar Water Heating Specification, Checklist and Guide.

    How to Designate Utility Room Space for the Hot Water Tank

    1. To meet the requirements of the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home program, designate a dedicated space for the future solar hot water storage tank, 3 ft wide, 3 ft deep, and 7 ft high. Locate the space adjacent to the home’s hot water heater.
    2. Label the space by placing a 10 in. x 6 in. label or sign on the wall where the water tank will be located that reads “Renewable Energy Ready Home – Future Hot Water Storage Tank.”
    3. Record the tank location on the utility room floor plan to be provided to the homeowner. See Figure 1.
    4. Record the tank location on a plumbing riser diagram.
    5. This dedicated tank space should meet floor load requirements calculated as specified in the guide Adequate Structural Ratings for New Construction.
    Utility room plan.
    Figure 1. The utility room floor plan should include the location of the existing hot water heater, designated space for a future hot water storage tank, electrical outlet, and pump package mounting panel.

     

    Success
    Ensuring Success

    Ensure adequate utility room early in the house design process to allow for ample space for solar water heating and photovoltaic system components. 

    Confirm with local code officials early in the design process what steps are needed to ensure 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.

    Protect the electrical and mechanical components of the solar water heating system from bulk moisture, high temperatures, and direct sunlight.  The utility room should be properly ventilated and maintain average indoor temperatures. 

    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 heat exchanger will keep outdoor water pipes from bursting.

    Average daily solar radiation per month.
    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
    Right and Wrong Images
    Image
    Right – A utility room provides adequate space for the home’s mechanical systems and electronic smart home monitoring equipment.
    Right – A utility room provides adequate space for the home’s mechanical systems and electronic smart home monitoring equipment.
    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.

    The RERH Checklist requires builders to

    • Install and label a 3’ x 3’ x 7’ area in the utility room adjacent to the existing water heater for solar hot water tank.

    Note: Homes equipped with an ENERGY STAR qualified whole-home gas tankless water heater or an ENERGY STAR qualified heat pump water heater are exempt from this provision. (See the Compliance tabs for additional details and exceptions.)

    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 401.3 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, 2020). 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.

    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.

     

    2009, 2012, 20152018, and 2021 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 and 2021 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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