Tech House Solar Collectors

About this technology

Overview

Chamberlain Manufacturing Company with Langley Research Center's assistance built the Tech House. The Tech House's principal energy saving comes from using the sun's rays to heat the home and provide domestic hot water. Sunlight is captured by 19 solar collectors on the roof. These south-facing collectors are angled at 58 degrees for best exposure to Virginia's winter sun. Solar panels capture sun's rays to heat water in pipes that run through solar collectors. Heated water is then stored in a large, well insulated underground tank. Heat exchanger extracts heat from water and blows it through ducts to warm the house. This advanced technology offers savings to the family in utility costs and energy conservation.