High Performing Buildings - Spring 2008 - (Page 56) The boiler plant operates in full condensing mode with 96% efficiency. thermal system eliminates the need for fossil fuels by heating water for sinks, showers and the dishwasher. Two preheat tanks store hot water during night hours and on cloudy/rainy days. Cold water is preheated by a 160 ft2 rooftop closed-loop solar hot water system from approximately 50°F to 150°F– 160°F and regulated by a safety/tempering valve to 120°F. A solar thermal system was selected to heat the domestic water because it is more efficient than a solar photovoltaic system in providing hot water. However, because 31 Tannery Project is grid-tied and produces surplus electricity that can be shared, an electric, rather than gas, water heater was chosen as the backup system for cloudy days and night use. 56 HIGH PERFORMING BUILDINGS Spring 2008 A solar thermal system heats water for sinks, showers and a dishwasher, eliminating the need for fossil fuels.
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