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Drainback Solar Systems A drainback system for domestic hot water will run from $10,000 to $12,000
installed. The system needs to be sized for the family served with the appropriate size of storage tank and panels
used in the system. The price given is just an estimate only because site conditions, size of storage needed and access to
mechanical room will determine the actual expenses to install. Added weight on roof system will need
to be checked by an structural engineer with any added framing included in the cost of installation.
This system has 2- 4' x 6'-6" panels mounted at 45 degrees. The pipe
insulation is 1 inch thick armaflex on the exterior with 2 inch fiberglass pipe insulation on the interior. The drainback
tank is an 8 gallon tank using a 50 gallon electric water heater as the storage. The water lines are 3/4 inch copper
to the panels with 1/2 inch to the storage tank. The water heater is turned off and acts as a tempering tank
for a high efficiency gas water heater. Clothes are washed on sunny days when the solar heat is available which will
save additional gas.
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