subject: Build a Solar Hot Water System Yourself by:Kieran Gracie [print this page] Build a Solar Hot Water System Build a Solar Hot Water System
Solar power is a wonderful way to get free hot water in your home? You can make a solar water heater easily and cheaply, perhaps for under $100 depending on the materials you have available. Buying a ready made solar hot water heater will cost upwards of $1,000 so building your own solar water heater will save you several hundred dollars, paying for itself in just a few months. After that your hot water will cost you nothing!
Solar heating works anywhere and at any time of the year - even wintertime! It might not heat all your hot water (it often does, however) but it will certainly make a huge difference in your heating costs. Expect to save at least one third. Solar water heaters are simple devices, very efficient and environmentally friendly. Making a solar water heater is easily a weekend project, provided you plan the job in advanceand get all the parts assembled.
A typical solar water heater system simply includes a collector box with integral water pipes that are connected to the existing domestic hot and cold water pipes near your hot water cylinder. 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.
Installing a solar water heater will not harm your existing domestic hot water system. In fact, by lowering the use of the existing heaters, the solar hot water heater will help prolong the 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 green bonus for installing a solar hot water system as well.
And it could have other uses. 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 uses a constant supply of warm (not hot) water with a low flow rate. Solar hot water is a great way to heat your home for very little cost. You can find out more at www.buildthingsdirect.com.
It is amazing how satisfying it is to build a simple system that provides constant hot water without hurting our planet.
However, even though these systems are simple, it is easy to make mistakes during installation if you are not experienced enough. It makes a lot of sense to get expert guidance and advice at the planning stage and before you start to build. This is a small but vital investment that costs surprisingly little but will ensure you do everything safely and efficiently. If you want more ideas and recommendations, please visit buildthingsdirect.com for further details. 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?
About the author
Kieran Gracie has developed a website, www.buildthingsdirect.com, dedicated to providing information, advice and help for exciting and easy-to-do projects in your garden or backyard. These include sheds, chicken coops, log cabins, solar panels, solar water heaters and wind turbines.
