Why not use the power of the sun to provide you with a domestic hot water heating system? A diy solar water heating system is easy and very cheap – less than 100 dollars is often quoted. Ready made solar water heaters usually 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. Then your hot water will be free!
The sun will heat your water anywhere in the world – even in the winter! It might not heat all your hot water (it often does, however) but it will definitely make a huge difference in your heating costs. Expect to save at least one third. 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 assemble all the necessary parts.
Solar hot water systems comprise a simple glazed collector box fitted with a chain of water pipes, which connect to the domestic hot and cold water pipes at or near your 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. 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 lowering the use of the existing heaters, the solar hot water heater will help prolong the life of your boiler or immersion heater and also save on utility and maintenance costs. Also, this is free energy that helps reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and reduces our carbon emissions, 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 help heat a swimming pool with constant, gentle heat all year. Do you have, or are you planning on fitting, underfloor central heating? This typically uses a constant supply of warm (not hot) water with a low flow rate. Diy solar water heating is a great way of warming your house 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. This is a small but vital investment that costs very little but will ensure you do everything safely and properly. We have more information 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?
