Abstract: A typical automatic hot water tank installation has a self-contained source of heat for the water and is provided with external hot water from a solar collector, air conditioning condenser, or other suitable source. An external hot water handling assembly replaces the conventional drain valve at the bottom of the tank and includes a pair of concentric tubes. The outer one of the tubes is connected through the tank drain connection and has its open end proximate the tank wall. The inner tube extends into the tank inwardly from the outer tube and its opening is approximately midway across the tank and is directly upwardly to provide an inlet for discharge of the external hot water upwardly into a lower portion of the tank, and away from the cold water leaving the tank through the outer tube. Spacing apart of the hot water inlet and cold water outlet substantially retards passage of the hot water directly to the cold water proximate the outlet.

Abstract: A solar collector adapted to be conveniently installed on a roof or similar structure includes a casing having a continuous bottom flange adapted to be secured to the roof and providing flashing for suitable roofing material. A continuous side wall extends upwardly from the flange and a continuous shoulder along the side wall and extends outwardly from a lower portion of the side wall to an upper portion thereof. A solar collector heat pan includes a generally flat heat plate having an upper face carrying typical tubing for a liquid to be heated by solar energy, the pan further having a continuous depending flange positioned on the casing shoulder with the plate substantially flush with the top edge of the casing. A light transmitting cover overlies the heat pan and has a continuous depending flange extending above the heat plate so that solar energy may engage the heat plate during relatively early and late daylight hours.