ICS Solar Water Heating
an Integral Collector Storage system

An ICS solar water heating system is a clever way to combine the functions of heating water and water storage into one integral system.

In a nut shell, the tank is eliminated and the collector heats and stores the water.

The Integral Collector Storage Construction

The batch solar collector is simple, an inlet pipe comes from the cold water main supply and the outlet is connected to the hot water pipe (almost always through the conventional hot water heater). When hot water is drawn from the water heater by opening a hot water faucet, "new" hot water is supplied from the batch solar collector. Cold water flows in and refill the Integral Collector Storage

The integral collector storage solar water heating system consists of a series of long thick winded tubes mounted in a sealed rectangular box. The tubes are painted dark to absorb the sun radiation. A top glass plate prevents the infrared heat radiation to escape the box (greenhouse effect)
The water capacity is typically 30 to 50 gallons.

Where and to Whom does the integral system fit?

This simple integral collector storage solar water heating system is typically used as:

• a solar pre-heater to an existing electric or gas water heater
• Or used as a primary water heater in sunny regions for a small family unit
.

Ths simple solar water heating system can be used only in regions where the temperature is always above freezing (32 degrees) point

The system main advantages are lowest cost, simple construction, simple installation and low maintainance effort