Products Overview

Main Products:

Solar Attitudes
There exists a lack of belief in the effectiveness of solar energy in northern climates, together with a lack of knowledge about the performance ability of solar heating systems. However, a recent independent survey, commissioned by the Department of Tra de and Industry in England, did confirm Thermomax's superior performance.

Systems installed since the early 1980s were performing efficiently and are saving their users a substantial percentage of their domestic hot water bill.

The strong commitment to clean and safe energy led to the development of the Thermomax Solar Energy System, a major technological breakthrough for solar water heating - a professional system that actually works, even in Winter!

Environment
Many people already appreciate the need to reduce fossil fuel emissions - particularly carbon dioxide. In north America every kilowatt hour of electricity produces about 2.2 lbs. of CO2. In most areas only $100 worth of electricity puts well over one ton of CO2 into the atmosphere!

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Even natural gas (methane) will produce over seven tones of CO2 annually from an average house, and because methane is such a powerful greenhouse gas, tiny leaks in the system pollute a great deal. Put another way, a domestic Thermomax system annually prevents the equivalent pollution of one car!

Payback
A solar heating system like this can pay for itself many times over in its 20+ years of lifetime, depending on fuel cost increases and adaptability towards using solar energy. What else can you buy that even begins to pay for itself?

When looked at as a return on investment, a quality Thermomax solar system is actually a far better investment than most pension plans. The return on investment on a Thermomax system is generally over 5% and it can be as high as 14%.  As utility prices rise the return on investment will rise, increasing the original value. More importantly, you own the system, therefore it can never be a bad investment! You can even take it with you if you move!

System Design and Installation
Standard designs for Domestic Hot Water systems are available. These vary depending on your location and whether the area is liable to freezing. They can either use a Differential Controller and an AC pump, or be stand alone "Off Grid" systems. Ask us about custom designs for integrating solar with woodstoves, hot tubs, pools, radiant heating etc.

A Thermomax solar heating system is easy to install and a complete DHW installation can he completed within a day or two. In fact, the collector is so light and modular that it can be installed by just one person!

A specially prepared system pack is available for DIY installers. The Thermomax installation manual is available in the "Downloads" section. A 'help-line' service is also available to all Thermomax customers.

Approvals
Thermomax solar systems have been tested and certified by independent testing authorities in the United States, Britain, Germany, Switzerland, Australia and Sweden.

What Do I Do Next?
Contact us to find the location of your nearest Thermomax dealer.

Do this now and join the growing family of satisfied customers enjoying the benefits of owning a Thermomax solar energy system - The finest system in the world.

Collector Description

A Thermomax Solar Collector consists of manifolds and tubes. The manifolds come in two sizes that will accept up to either 20 or 30 tubes. Collectors can be used individually or connected together for larger systems.

Manifolds are supplied with roof fixing hardware (stainless steel) for standard shingles (M), Mexican tile (K) and flat roof or ground mount (F).

Mazdon Solar Collectors

The Mazdon Evacuated Solar Collector is different from any other. It cannot boil, freeze or corrode. It is lightweight, attractive, maintenance free and even pays for itself. It performs well in all weather, operates automatically and is totally safe.

 The collector has a rigid marine grade stainless steel frame with optional fittings for tiled or flat roof. Installation is straightforward for both new building and retrofits. Integration with an existing heating system is simple, and a domestic hot water system can take less than two days to install.

There are many features that set this collector apart. One is the "heat-pipe" which is a super efficient heat conductor. This provides a diode function and the important safety protection against overheating. This is unique to Thermomax manufactured collectors.

Other features enhance the performance of a Mazdon collector in two unique ways. First, the collector efficiency remains high in diffused light (cloudy conditions). On an annual basis over 70% of the available energy from the sky is converted into heat regardless of the intensity of light.

Independent tests and investigations have shown that the energy output of a Thermomax collector is two to three times that of an equal size "flat-plate" panel on an annual basis.

The second feature, and perhaps the least understood, is the effect of suspending the selectively coated absorber plate in a vacuum (rather like a Thermos flask). This prevents any heat loss from the absorber plate (which converts the energy to heat) to the outside.

Simply put, this collector can add heat to your hot water tank even on a cold and windy day! The vacuum also safeguards the collector against the effects of humidity and condensation.


Installation with a single high efficiency hot water cylinder with twin coils is desirable, to reduce system heat losses. A moderate sized Thermomax system can supply 60-70% of your annual hot water requirements, with the remainder supplied by a either a gas or electricity backup. These characteristics combine to make a Thermomax installation a truly all weather, year round system. Click here for system animations.

Click here for the Mazdon Solar Collectors Specifications Table

Solamax Solar Collectors

The new Solamax system is a direct flow solar collector. It is a simpler concept than the 'heat-pipe' collector, yet has a performance efficiency considered to be exceptional. Applications include domestic and commercial hot water supply, swimming pool heating and industrial process heat.

The Solamax systems consists of a copper manifold and stainless steel support with solar collectors tubes. Heat transfer from the collector plate to the insulated manifold heat exchanger is via a specially designed copper heat transfer tube, through which solar circuit fluid is circulated. The design of this tube incorporates a patented dividing strip configuration, which separates the flow and the return of circuit fluid through the solar collector tubes. The collector plate and the heat transfer tube are vacuum-sealed inside a glass tube. This provides exceptional insulation, whilst assuring perfect protection against adverse weathering influences such as humidity and pollution. High quality insulation in the manifold ensures minimal heat loss. Each system is secured to the roof by means of stainless steel fixing brackets. In the case of a flat roof, a stainless steel frame is available to fit the collector to an optimum angle.

The special construction of this collector enables it to be fixed in any way best suited and required; on a slope, upright against a wall or horizontal on a flat roof. The clever design allows for individual solar tubes to be rotated slightly (+/- 30°) to optimize solar collection.

Two sizes of collectors are available in arrays of 20 and 30 tubes. Tubes can be adjusted to face the optimum orientation for maximum solar radiation absorption.

Complete kits for Domestic Hot Water installation will be available from mid April 2003 utilizing a retrofit heat exchanger that can install in a new or existing tank. A small glycol tank, the pump and controller will be incorporated into a single module and 50 feet of piping and insulation supplied as well. This will be a “plug and play” system! Click here for system animations.

Special Features of The Solamax System

• The direct flow concept permits installation either horizontally or vertically, (see technical manual for clarification) or at any required angle.

• High performance, even in adverse weather conditions due to vacuum insulation.

• Ease of installation - each tube can be installed individually.

• Minimum maintenance requirement.

• High durability and reliability, due to the high quality of the materials used in the manufacturing process.

• Cost-effective vacuum tube collector.

Click here for the Solamax Solar Collectors Specifications Table

Tanks

Made exclusively for Thermomax Industries Ltd. by Advanced Metalpres Inc., these powder coated, stainless steel SuperTanks are ideal for use with Thermomax vacuum tube solar collectors, which are capable of adding heat to a tank that is already hot, even during cold or cloudy weather conditions.

Retro-Fit Heat Exchanger

Wand Antifreeze to Potable Water Heat Exchanger
This heat exchanger can be fitted into any new or existing hot water tanks. This opens up solar hot water to many homes where it might be impractical to change out the existing tank.

The Standard 1.2m (48 inch) long Wand has about 0.18 m2 (2 square feet) of heat transfer area inside the hot water tank. The Wand has a small diameter center tube, which delivers the hot collector fluid to the bottom of the Wand, near the bottom of the hot water tank. This tube is enclosed in second tube (the first wall) and the hot fluid flow up the annular space between the inlet tube and second tube. A third tube (second wall) is spiral collapsed on the second tube, making mechanical contact for heat transfer over about 60% of the wall and leaving an air space. The third tube is vented on top of the wand, so any fluid between the second and third tubes is vented to atmosphere. This assembly is inserted in the hot water tank by being screwed into the hot water outlet port.

The wand is designed to meet the requirements of the AWWA Class DWP (double wall with leak protection). Class DWP “Provides two distinct walls which separate the transfer medium from the potable water and a path to atmosphere. Failure of either wall is indicated by visual leakage of the transfer medium or potable water and indicates a failure of the heat exchanger”. The DWP type provides a higher degree of protection than the SW (Single Wall with no leak detection) or DW (Double wall with no leak detection).

The solar Wand is designed so a single failure of any fluid barrier will not cause a cross connection or permit back siphoning of heat transfer fluid into the potable water system. Any barrier, which fails, shall allow the discharge of exchanger fluid and / or potable water to the atmosphere at a location visible to the operator or owner.

Freeze Tolerance
Propylene Glycol-Water 50/50 -32^oC (-26^oF)
Propylene Glycol-Water 60/40 -48^oC (-54^oF)

Toxicity
The recommended heat exchanger fluid Propylene Glycol-Water is non-flammable and non-toxic. Propylene Glycol is an American Water Works Association (AWAA) Class II fluid. This means that it has a Gosselin toxicity rating below 1. Class II material are considered non-potable and may be objectionable, but not dangerous to health. The normal system contains between ½ to 1 gallon of fluid. It does not need to be changed over the life of the system. Proper disposal is required. Propylene Glycol-Water mixtures are recycled by service stations and auto stores. Consult your local retailer of auto antifreeze for proper disposal in your area. Leakage or small spills can be absorbed with “kitty litter” and put in the trash.

Contamination
The Wand heat exchanger meets the American Water Works Association, Cross Contamination Control’s highest level of protection. The Wand is an anti-siphoning device. The space between the two heat exchanger wall, potable water and heat transfer fluid is at atmospheric pressure. The potable water is usually above 50 PSIG and hence will leak out of the tank. The heat transfer loop is unpressurized, however, the pump may be capable of producing the pressure of about 25 PSIG so fluid would leak out to atmosphere.

Installation Packages

The Solamax Installation Package has been designed to speed up installation of the direct flow Solamax collectors and provide a simple, safe and reliable way to install these collectors.

This system has a non-pressurised closed loop with a reservoir to hold the propylene glycol. The kit is connected to the Solamax collector, using pipe as small as 3/8"OD, and also to the heat exchange in the tank. A pump circulates the glycol through the collector and heat exchanger transfering the heat from the collector. A solar controller switches on the pump when it is hot at the collector.

When installation is complete, fill the reservoir with glycol and turn on the controller. The pump will purge the system of air and the system is complete. In the event of the pump going off through the day, the glycol will expand from the collector through the heat exchanger and into the reservoir. When the pump starts, the system will re-purge and return to normal operation.

 Accessories

• Low Power Pump
  The emphasis is on passive heat transfer, minimizing controls and pumps, but where these are necessary using very low power pumps suitable for "off grid" installations. Those "on grid" can enjoy the security of battery backup.
  

• About Instantaneous Gas Heaters