Build a Solar Hot Water System
Did you know that the sun can give you almost free hot water? A diy solar water heating system is easy and very cheap – less than 100 dollars is often quoted. Commercial solar water heaters can cost over 1,000 dollars so making a solar water heater yourself will save you hundreds of dollars, paying for itself in just a few months. And think of the savings every month after that!
Solar water heating works anywhere in the world – even in the middle of winter! It might not provide all your hot water (although it often does), but it will definitely make a large dent in your utility bills. At least one third is quite common. These solar heating systems are efficient, simple and environmentally green. Making a solar water heater is easily a weekend project, provided you get properly organized firstand get all the parts assembled.
The system consists of a simple glazed solar collector box containing water tubes that, in turn, are connected to the hot and cold water pipes of your existing hot water tank. Normally a drain valve is fitted should you need to empty the system for some reason, such as leaving the house empty in winter. You will find the assembly easy and will not need any special skills or tools. Position the collector box so that it faces the mid-day sun, mounting it on the roof if you wish, or attached to a wall, but ideally close to your hot water tank to minimize heat losses through the pipes. All necessary materials will be available from your local hardware store, although you will probably find you already have some of them in your shed.
Making and fitting such a system will not interfere with or harm your existing hot water installation. In fact, by lowering the use of the existing heaters, the solar [hot water|water] heater will help [prolong|extend] the [service|life] of your boiler or immersion heater as well as save on utility bills. A further advantage is that solar heat is a renewable resource, so there is an [environmental bonus|eco-bonus|green bonus] for installing a solar hot water system as well.
You can use it for other things as well. Solar hot water systems can be used for heating swimming pools by providing a gentle, all-year-round source of free heating. Are you thinking about underfloor heating, or do you already have such a central heating system? This typically [operates on|uses] a constant supply of [warm (as opposed to hot) |warm (not hot)] water with a low flow rate. Homemade solar water heaters are an ideal way of getting free heat in your house.
There is something very satisfying about making a simple device that saves you money, gives you free hot water on demand and helps save the planet at the same time.
However, even though a solar water heating system is simple, it is easy to make mistakes during installation if you are not experienced enough. It is really sensible, therefore, to invest in expert professional guidance and help when planning and building your solar hot water system. This is a small but vital investment that costs surprisingly little but will ensure you do everything safely and properly. You will find out more about this on our specialized website.
In summary, we can assure you that making and installing your own solar water heater is a satisfying and fun project that will give you years of savings, so why not give it a go?