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Posts Tagged ‘diy solar water heating’

Why not use the power of the sun to provide you with a domestic hot water heating system?  Building a diy solar water heating system is easy and cheap – some people manage to do it for less than 100 dollars.  Buying a ready made solar hot water heater will cost upwards of 1,000 dollars so building your own solar water heater will save you several hundred 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 is possible that solar heat might not provide all your hot water (it often does), but it will definitely save you a large chunk of your utility bill.  Expect to save at least one third.  These systems are simple, effective and very eco-friendly.  Making a solar water heater is easily a weekend project, provided you plan it properly beforehandand assemble all the necessary parts.

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.  A drain valve is usually fitted in case you need to isolate the solar water heater for any reason, such as leaving the house empty in winter.  Doing this work is very easy, and you do not have to be any kind of expert.  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.  You will be able to get all the materials needed at 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 reducing the operating demands on your existing system, the solar hot water heater will help extend the life of your boiler or immersion heater and also save on utility and maintenance costs.  Remember also that solar heating is free energy that reduces our use of non-renewable fuels and lowers the carbon footprint, so there is an 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 a constant supply of warm (as opposed to hot) water with a low flow rate. Diy solar water heating is a great way to warm your home for free.

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.

But, as always, there are pitfalls for the inexperienced when trying to make and fit a solar water heater.  It makes a lot of sense to get expert guidance and advice at the planning stage and before you start to build.  The cost will be very small, and you will get full assurance that you are doing the job properly and safely. We have  more information about this on our specialized website.

In conclusion, we know from experience that making and fitting a solar water heating system will give you immense satisfaction, a lot of fun and really significant savings, so why not give it a try?