johnny Posted September 17, 2014 Report Share Posted September 17, 2014 Built a solar water heater but think I must of use the wrong type of glass as it seems to be reflecting the heat. I used an old double glazed patio door. Should I be use a single pane of glass and of a particular type or polycarbonate sheet. Many thanks John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted September 17, 2014 Report Share Posted September 17, 2014 Single pane of plain glass, no coating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted September 17, 2014 Report Share Posted September 17, 2014 Ideally not fancy new glass with any coatings (K-glass?) but really it shouldn't make a huge difference as they were designed to let heat in but stop it leaving. Have you insulated the backing and painted the pipes and inside matt black? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny Posted September 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2014 Thanks for the replies no insulation but painted black. It's loads of black pipe mounted on 19mm ply board with a patio door on the front but it has a tint on the glass. Was wondering about polycarbonate stuff you see on some roofs and greenhouses or would it be better with plain glass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted September 17, 2014 Report Share Posted September 17, 2014 (edited) Double glazing is an insulating panel with a gap filled with a nobel gas. Its designed to keep heat in and prevent solar gain..for all the good it is you would have been better off using a sheet of cardboard.! Sorry! Edited September 17, 2014 by Fisherman Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted September 17, 2014 Report Share Posted September 17, 2014 (edited) Have a look online as there are plenty of plans for DIY versions. Sure they use black aluminum sheet with the pipes clipped tight against it then this is layed over insulation and covered with glass. Circuit filled with glycol. Figgy Edited September 17, 2014 by figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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