Build a Solar Hot Water System
Did you know that the sun can give you almost free hot water? You can make and fit diy solar water heating easily and cheaply, perhaps for under 100 dollars depending on the materials you have available. Commercial solar water heaters can cost over 1,000 dollars so making and fitting your own solar hot water system will save you hundreds of dollars, repaying its cost in one or two months. Then your hot water will be free!
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. Savings of one third are quite usual. Solar water heaters are simple devices, very efficient and environmentally friendly. It is quite possible to make and fit one of these systems over a weekend, provided you plan the job in advanceand assemble all the necessary parts.
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. 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 most likely you will have some or all of these materials already.
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 water heater will help extend the life of your boiler or immersion heater as well as save on utility bills. 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.
It also has other uses. Solar hot water systems can help heat a swimming pool with constant, gentle heat all year. Are you thinking about underfloor heating, or do you already have such a central heating system? This typically uses a constant supply of warm (as opposed to hot) water with a low flow rate. Homemade solar water heaters are an ideal way of getting free heat in your house.
It is amazing how satisfying it is to build a simple system that provides constant hot water without hurting our planet.
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. If you want more ideas and recommendations, please visit 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?