Solar Hot Water Heater
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There is a lot of mis-information about exactly how to build and install a solar water heater, so make sure you get good instruction. I’ve seen claims on the internet that boast about being able to build one for $5. These are junk, plain and simple. If you are going to do this project, do it right and make sure you can produce enough hot water for your entire home most of the time.
Check out the DIYHotWater guide for complete instructions on how to build and hook up a reliable solar water heater. All the required parts, wiring and hook up information is inlcuded and its very easy to follow if you have even just basic DIY project skills.
In our opinion there is no better resouce available for this project anywhere. You can download the guide here.
Check out the DIYHotWater guide for complete instructions on how to build and hook up a reliable solar water heater. All the required parts, wiring and hook up information is inlcuded and its very easy to follow if you have even just basic DIY project skills.
In our opinion there is no better resouce available for this project anywhere. You can download the guide here.
We love the solar water heater. Building a solar hot water heater is a fantastic DIY project, especially for someone who is just starting out converting to solar power.
Why? First, because it is a limited scope project, meaning that it has a very specific purpose which won’t overwhelmthe novice.
It is also easy and cheap to complete. Finally, it has a huge and immediate impact on your power bill. Most people don’t realize, but heating water usually accounts for a full third of your monthly power expense. This is second only to HVAC (air conditioning and heating).
Building a solar hot water heater gives you an excellent introduction to DIY solar conversion with a quick project that returns an immediate benefit to your bottom line in the form of a 33% reduction in your power bill. Once you get this baby up and running, you’ll probably want to move on to other projects and expand your solar power system.
You can usually build a solar hot water heater for under $100 - not bad when you consider that a system you purchase commercially will cost well over $1000. The parts are all readily available in your local hardware store or home center.
No special tools are needed. As long as you have a very basic understanding of plumbing connections, which most DIY’ers do, you’ll be on your way. The project can be completed in a weekend. Most people can start early on a Saturday and be heating water off the grid by Sunday night.
Solar hot water heaters will work well in any climate. The design technology has been around a lot of years and the units are used all over the world. However, like with any solar component, it is recommended to have a backup source for long periods of cloudy weather. This doesn’t come into play too frequently because unlike some other solar applications, once the water is heated it stays pretty hot for quite a while.
Still, everyone’s consumption and sunlight is different so it is better to have backup and not need it than wish you did at some point down the road. The good news is, you already have your backup in place. You just keep your existing water heater in place and use it when you need it.
Why? First, because it is a limited scope project, meaning that it has a very specific purpose which won’t overwhelmthe novice.
It is also easy and cheap to complete. Finally, it has a huge and immediate impact on your power bill. Most people don’t realize, but heating water usually accounts for a full third of your monthly power expense. This is second only to HVAC (air conditioning and heating).
Building a solar hot water heater gives you an excellent introduction to DIY solar conversion with a quick project that returns an immediate benefit to your bottom line in the form of a 33% reduction in your power bill. Once you get this baby up and running, you’ll probably want to move on to other projects and expand your solar power system.
You can usually build a solar hot water heater for under $100 - not bad when you consider that a system you purchase commercially will cost well over $1000. The parts are all readily available in your local hardware store or home center.
No special tools are needed. As long as you have a very basic understanding of plumbing connections, which most DIY’ers do, you’ll be on your way. The project can be completed in a weekend. Most people can start early on a Saturday and be heating water off the grid by Sunday night.
Solar hot water heaters will work well in any climate. The design technology has been around a lot of years and the units are used all over the world. However, like with any solar component, it is recommended to have a backup source for long periods of cloudy weather. This doesn’t come into play too frequently because unlike some other solar applications, once the water is heated it stays pretty hot for quite a while.
Still, everyone’s consumption and sunlight is different so it is better to have backup and not need it than wish you did at some point down the road. The good news is, you already have your backup in place. You just keep your existing water heater in place and use it when you need it.
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Solar Hot Water Heater Resources
Because the unit isn't working as hard, it will last years longer than it would when being used every day.
Once installed, your system will require very little regular maintenance and should actually last longer than a conventional gas or electric water heater.
Once installed, your system will require very little regular maintenance and should actually last longer than a conventional gas or electric water heater.