Stephen Tope Plumbing

12/03/2025

12/21/2024

The Natural Heating System Illustrated:

**Overall Concept:**
This design employs passive solar heating to capture and use the sun's energy to warm a building during colder periods, making it ideal for regions with ample sunlight.

**Key Elements and Functionality:**

1. **Sun Exposure:**
- A large window allows sunlight to directly enter the structure.

2. **Heat Storage:**
- Behind the window, a mass of stones or a Trombe wall (made of concrete or masonry) absorbs and stores heat from the sun's rays.

3. **Air Circulation:**
- A lower opening allows cool air to enter.
- A channel or vent near the top of the wall/stone mass lets the warmed air rise and circulate inside the building.

4. **Insulation:**
- The structure is well-insulated to retain the generated heat and maintain a warm indoor environment.

**How it Works:**

1. **Daytime:**
- Sunlight enters through the window, heating the stone mass or Trombe wall.
- The heated mass warms the incoming cool air.
- Warm air rises through the channel, spreading warmth throughout the space.

2. **Nighttime:**
- The stored heat in the mass continues to warm the air, maintaining a warm interior even without direct sunlight.

**Benefits:**

- **Reduced Heating Costs:** Lower energy bills due to less reliance on traditional heating.
- **Environmental Friendliness:** Eco-friendly as it doesn’t use fossil fuels.
- **Comfort:** Maintains a consistent and comfortable indoor temperature.

**Considerations:**

- **Sunlight Availability:** Most effective in sunny regions.
- **Mass Size and Material:** Critical for efficient heat storage and distribution.

This system showcases how passive solar heating can be a sustainable, cost-effective solution for maintaining warmth in cold climates. ☀️🏠

07/30/2023

07/23/2023

12/15/2022

It's easier to contact me directly, Adam Tope (913-256-5338) for plumbing work.

06/29/2021

The customer did a fantastic job on the tile work and really the entire room is amazing. Plumbing rough in and trim out done by us.

05/28/2021

A customer was patient enough to wait a few days for parts on this old valve, she was using vice grips before. When able, service plumbers can and should repair a valve when they can; too many companies nowadays tear it all out, charge an arm and a leg and start over which is especially hard for people on fixed incomes or even during this covid. I think it turned out very well, I only replaced the trim and stems etc but it looks original again. ♥️ -Adam

01/01/2020

Happy New Year to all!

01/10/2019

The 'Pipe Parana' helped out a great deal today with a new customer. I had never used this tool before but I definitely recommend it to any professionals in the trade out there! https://www.plumbingsupply.com/pipe-fitting-removal-tool.html

03/31/2018

We're finally done with the old express van and back into an awesome new ride! Almost have transferred everything out of the old vehicle. It's been a long time being able to actually stand where you have your inventory!

12/15/2017

The completed job pictures from the work this week. This basement is now protected from backflow infiltration and a sump pump to remove ground water under the slab.

12 new photos · Album by Adam Tope