My neighbor John Rogers (the building contractor) and I took some time to plan the plumbing strategy.  We decided that the plumbing penetration through the exterior wall could go right behind the collector inlet.  When we measured inside, we found that the hole would come through right at the top corner of the dining room wall - perfect!  The hole in the floor needs to come out along the wall a bit to line up with the drywall downstairs.

My wife approved this concept, so long as I box in the plumbing in wood to match the window frames.  A simple job for me as an experienced woodcrafter.

Down in the basement the hole penetrates behind a joist above the electrical panel.  By opening up the gap above the drywall a bit we can pull the umbilical up without too much trouble.  Then the umbilical can be attached to the joists along the exposed ceiling about 12 feet to the water heater closet.

We decided not to try running holes through the joists for the umbilical, since it would stress the copper pipe too much and probably damage the insulation too much to pull it through all those holes.  It can be strapped up with U brackets, and boxed in if we ever finish the ceiling in the basement.

Looking at the location of the 40 gallon water heater John observed that it looked small.  It suddenly occurred to me that it might be much more efficient to install another 40 gallon tank (electric water heater) to the right of the propane heater and use the Solar Wand to pre-heat cold water entering this tank that would then feed the water heater.  The higher Delta-T between the cold water and the collector would dramatically improve the Wand's efficiency!  A new tank would only cost about $200 or so and be very simple to install.  I emailed Barry Butler asking his thoughts on this idea.

I took a drive down to Lowe's  and Sears to look at water heaters.  I learned that 40 gallon units do sell for just under $200, and Lowe's also have a 50 gal. unit for about $250, both are 20" wide which will just fit in the closet.  I have emailed Barry Butler at Butler Sun Solutions to see if he concurs with this plan before I go and buy a tank.  It sure would simplify the plumbing layout and make for a neat system.

John also observed that I was lucky to have my (blue) well pressure tank in my heated basement where it pre-heats the incoming water somewhat.  This had never occurred to me before, apparently many such tanks here in Maine are in the unheated basement where temperatures approach freezing in the winter.

CHANGE OF PLAN!

Barry emailed me back and agreed that the extra tank will be a good idea.  He sent me a new diagram (at left) and reminded me that the tempering valve will be on the existing hot water heater to prevent scalding.

So I'm off to Lowe's today to pick up a 50 gallon tank.  It will be much easier to pre-install the wand and all plumbing before sliding the tank into place in the closet.  Then I can just re-plumb the feed lines once it is in place.  This will make for a very neat installation.