I have been reading as much as I can find on hot water systems and I have a crazy idea and need input from those with experience. I am in the process of building a custom box so I have a lot of flexibility as far as what I can do.
I would like a system like others have that uses an Espar or similar heater to heat hot water for showering etc and can preheat the engine.
Here is where I go off track. Can I use the hot water from the Espar to do a radiant floor heating setup like those used in homes. I have seen radiant floor heating and it is so much better than a furnace that heats air. No noise, even distribution etc. Has anyone ever seen this done in an RV?
My second crazy notion is to also use solar to heat the water. The idea is to do it just like at home. A panel on the roof captures the suns heat and transfers it into the water or antifreeze. A small pump circulates the liquid between the collector and the storage tank. I was thinking using coolant would be best since that is already in the Espar system. The coolant would circulate through the hot water tank and heat the water.
With this setup you could have lots of heat and hot water as long as you have sunshine. As a backup you have the Espar heater to augment as required. Of course in addition to the Espar you have the engine to heat the coolant.
All input welcome.
I would like a system like others have that uses an Espar or similar heater to heat hot water for showering etc and can preheat the engine.
Here is where I go off track. Can I use the hot water from the Espar to do a radiant floor heating setup like those used in homes. I have seen radiant floor heating and it is so much better than a furnace that heats air. No noise, even distribution etc. Has anyone ever seen this done in an RV?
My second crazy notion is to also use solar to heat the water. The idea is to do it just like at home. A panel on the roof captures the suns heat and transfers it into the water or antifreeze. A small pump circulates the liquid between the collector and the storage tank. I was thinking using coolant would be best since that is already in the Espar system. The coolant would circulate through the hot water tank and heat the water.
With this setup you could have lots of heat and hot water as long as you have sunshine. As a backup you have the Espar heater to augment as required. Of course in addition to the Espar you have the engine to heat the coolant.
All input welcome.