Solar Water Heater
The Solar Water Heater of today is as equally effective as water heaters powered by more
conventional power sources, namely: gas and electric. A solar hot water panel
can heat your home's water to temperatures of up as much as 140° F.
There are two kinds of solar water heater - passive and active. Both collect radiant heat from the sun into a solar hot water panel, and both can serve much of any household's hot water needs, while at the same time, both can cut back considerably on energy costs.
Active
solar hot water devices - Active
solar water heaters employ a pump to distribute water or heat transfer fluid
amid the collector and cistern.
Passive solar water heaters - Water tanks serve as storage and collectors. Water delivery is contingent with gravity flow.
Where Do I Learn How to Build Solar Water Heater ?
Many sources on the Internet which allow you to download manuals or videos that show you a step-by-step process on exactly how to build your very own solar powered water heater that actually works. Personally I would recommend getting video tutorials instead as this is the best foolproof method in showing one exactly, in a visual manner, how to build a solar water heater device. You can also learn with a manual as this whole process is quite simple but a video makes the learning more interactive, fun and less time-consuming to review and learn how to build a solar powered water heater. So you are starting to see the steps involved on how to build a solar powered water heater are much simpler and less time consuming than you might have thought.
Before purchasing any equipment you first need to know if you will be using it mainly for home or camping. Solar water heaters are available as "real-time" solar heaters that allow you to use your solar energy on the fly or solar water heaters that are located on your roof. But the best thing about all of this is that this whole process is very easy and straightforward to put together and implement so that you can start saving money today.
Choosing the Right Place
The best
place to keep your solar water heater is in your back yard since this will
allow you to have easy access when you need to. If you are in the northern hemisphere
you should angle it facing south since this will ensure that it gets the
benefit of more sunlight. Naturally you need to place it where it will not be
subject to much, if any, shade or obstructions. Another good tip for saving
costs is to place it as near to your gas or electric water heater as you can
because that will mean that you will use less plumbing. It will also make the
project a lot simpler for you.
Building
Your DIY Solar Water Heater
By
sticking to the following simple steps you will find that building a solar
water heater is really easy.
Step 1:
Find an old recycled hot water heater tank and then strip away the insulation
so that all that remains is the tank itself.
Step 2:
You need to spray paint the exterior of the tank. Black is best since it
absorbs more heat.
Step 3:
Next, construct an enclosure for the tank out of plywood using 2x4s so that it
is big enough to house the water tank. The top of the box needs to be angled
and sloping toward the front at a 45 degree angle. To ensure that the wood
lasts longer you should pressure treat it first.
Step 4:
Once you have completed the above you will then need to seal all the corners
with silicone caulking which serves to keep the heat from escaping.
Step 5:
Using a reflective foil faced insulation line the enclose on the inside so that
the sunlight is reflected onto the water tank. It also serves to prevent heat
loss.
Step 6:
You should install two 6" galvanized fittings if the inlet holes are
empty.
Step 7:
Next you will need to make holes using a drill on the side of the enclosure.
Make sure that they are big enough to ensure that they fit the inlet hole
fitting.
Step 8:
When you then place the water tank into the enclosure you've made make sure
that the inlet hole fittings are aligned with the holes you drilled. Using your
silicone caulk you can then seal up the holes.
Step 9:
Use weather stripping along the edges of the enclosure.
Step 10:
Use plexi-glass by cutting it to the same size as the top of the enclosure and
then fit it into place forming a seal with the weather stripping.
Step 11:
In order to ensure that the plexi-glass is secure you can use flashing for this
purpose.
Plumbing
Your DIY Solar Water Heater
This
Batch style solar water heating system functions in such a way as to pre-heat
the water and then feeding it to your gas or electric water heater. You will
not need to operate you main water heater unless you have to because the water
entering it is already heated.
You will
need a check valve to branch the water intake line at the water heater and then
route it to your solar water heater. It will then enter the water tank through
the inlet hole where it is then warmed. It exits through the other inlet hole
as heated water. From this point the water line should be routed back to the
water heater and this is where it enters either your gas or electric water
heater as already heated.
The
valves we mentioned at the start of this article are necessary for installing
the in-line with piping on either side so that the system will not only run
correctly but also be protected. You will require the following valves: an
isolation valve, a check valve, and a drain valve. The latter needs to be
installed at the point of entry and at an air vent, vacuum breaker, pressure
relief valve, etc. so make sure you have a valve at the out-put.
DIY Solar Water Heater Benefits
What are
the benefits of a DIY solar water heater? The stated goal of this article is to
both help you reduce the size of your ecological footprint, as well as help you
to save money. In keeping with the goal of saving money, you should be aware
that there are "do it yourself", or DIY solar water heater kits that
will not only reduce your monthly power bill, they are cheaper to install.
While professionally
installed solar systems to heat your water may cost upwards of $700, you can
build your own solar water heater for less than $100. If you have looked at
installing solar panels before, be aware that building a DIY solar water heater
is far more simple. Solar water heaters are by
comparison far easier to assemble. All the parts you need are
available at your local hardware store. Using solar power to heat your water has only beneficial effects on the environment, and your wallet.
Build Your Own Solar Water Heater
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Solar Water Heater