Small Panel Tests -- CPVC Collectors

Blalh -- blah

 

Heading..

 

 

 

Cost

This is a materials cost comparison between the CPVC and the copper collectors.   As much as possible, the prices are from the Home Depot website.

  CPVC at 2.5 inch riser spacing on 0.012 aluminum Flashing Copper tubes at 6.5 inch spacing with 0.018 aluminum grooved fins
Item Unit Cost Total Cost Unit Cost Total Cost
Risers  (half inch) $0.39 per ft  (19 @ 10ft) $74.28 $1.24 per ft (70 ft) $86.80
Tee's (half inch) $1.49 per bag of 10 (38 tot) $5.70 $8.29 per bag of 10 (14 tot) $11.62
Alum absorber plate/fins $0.79 per sf (40 sf) $32 $0.70 per ft  (70 ft) $49
silicone caulk $3 per tube (6 tubes) $18 $3 per tube (2 tubes) $6
Back insulation -- polyiso $1.00 per sf (40 sf) $40 $1.00 per sf (40 sf) $40
High temperature paint $4 per can (1 can) $4 $4 per can (1 can) $4
SunTuf glazing $1.35 per sf ( 40sf) $54 $1.35 per sf (40sf) $54
Glazing closeouts 1 pkg $5 1 pkg $5
Glazing supports 0.5 inch EMT $2 0.5 inch EMT $2
Frame lumber $0.57 per ft 2 by 6 (28 ft) $16 $0.57 per ft 2 by 6 (28 ft) $16
Paint, fasteners, misc   $25   $25
         
Total   $276   $299

 

<did not include the 3 inch strips behind the copper>

The CPVC collector with the risers spaced at 6.5 inches using Tom's fins would come in about $65 less than the copper collector, and would actually be the cheapest of the three at about $234.

Maybe I'm not seeing the whole picture, but to me there is a very good case for going with copper.  The dollars per BTU are competitive or better than then CPVC, the resistance to damage from high stagnation temperature events is much better, and the long term durability seems likely to be better.