SolarAttic PCS1, User Manual

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Common Questions Page 6 of 10
drained off [by liner]. Any serious accidents to the attic or ceiling area are usually covered by
homeowners insurance policies. Policies do not usually cover replacement of equipment and repairs due
to owner negligence!
Further protection can be achieved by mounting a sheet metal plenum on the coil end of the
PCS1 and connecting the other end of the plenum to flexible duct. In this scenario, the PCS1 would be
installed over the garage area and draw air from the main attic. To be effective, it must have a clear
path to draw and return the hot attic air. This technique has been used and works very well. The
company expects to have a custom plenum kit available in the future for purchase.
11. How do I plumb the PCS1 into the system?
The PCS1 is plumbed into the support system after the pump and filter. Any chemical
dispenser must be downstream of the PCS1 and should have a chemical check valve installed.
12. What does flowreversal ª do?
Flowreversalª reverses the flow of water in the pool. It takes water off of the top of the pool
and returns it to the bottom of the pool for more effective heating. In tests, the pool's heating needs
have been demonstrated to be significantly less (1/3 rd to 1/2 less).
No degradation of filtering or cleaning effectiveness occurs. In fact, the pool appears visually
the same to the pool owner in either normal or reverse flow. Flowreversalª is accomplished by the
simple 90
°
turn of a single manual valve. A proportioner valve is used in conjunction with the
flowreversal valve to effect proper skimmer action during reverse flow. See plumbing diagram.
Experience has shown that a swimming pool can simply be left in reverse flow unless the pool is
being cleaned or drained. Flowreversalª enables the pool to be efficient in its heat needs. This in turn
allows the PCS1 to provide greater capacity and heating margins in adverse environments. The PCS1
has been found to work effectively without the flowreversal valves. However, the swimming pool is
considerably more comfortable with the valves [especially large or deep pools]. Flowreversalª is a
trademark of Mark Urban of Tustin, California.
13. Can I use a heat pump in my attic?
No: Heat pumps are not designed to withstand the extreme attic temperatures. Operating a
heat pump in an attic will lead to failure of the compressor system.
14. What is the difference between the PCS1 and Heat Pumps?
In a comparative energy study, heat pumps were found to use seven to twenty-eight times the
electrical energy! With the average heat pump using 12.1 times the energy use of the PCS1. Heat
pumps use Chlorofluorocarbon chemicals [CFC'S] in the compressor heat producing cycle. These
chemicals pollute our environment by damaging the earth's protective ozone layer. The PCS1 uses no
chemicals. The PCS1 also has extended life characteristics when compared to heat pumps.
15. How does the "Coefficient Of Performance" [C.O.P.] compare with heat pumps?
A typical heat pump C.O.P. is calculated as follows: 57,000 btus output/11,977 btus input= 4.75 x
100 = 475%. For comparison, the PCS1 is calculated as follows: 60,000 btus output/1351 btus input= 44 x