How to Build a Solar Hot Water Heater System

Solar hot water systems are available commercially as well.

Solar hot water heaters are easy to construct and even easier to use. The materials required are normally available from a variety of free sources and can provide years of maintenance-free hot water. This article will provide the basics of making a solar hot water heater that is fit for supplying a shower or small bathroom.

Things You'll Need

• Heat exchanger from old freezer or refrigerator Brass fittings for water pipes Brass water pipes 3-foot x 4-foot sheet of plate glass 3-foot x 4-foot of rubber mat 1-inch x 1-inch pine lumber Caulking and caulking gun Wood screws Insulated storage tank from old hot water heater

Instructions

1. Use the pine lumber to build a 3-foot x 4-foot rectangular frame. Lay the black mat on the back of the frame and use the screws to securely mount it to the wooden frame. Turn the frame over and use the caulking gun to seal all of the edges of the frame and the black mat. This will keep the heat inside the heat box.

2. Lay the heat exchanger inside the wooden frame and drill two small holes in the side of the frame to put the inlet and outlet tubes of the heat exchanger through. Use the caulking to seal around the holes. Lay the sheet of glass on top of the frame and securely mount it to the wood with the caulking.

3. Mount the heat box in a slanted position, pointed toward the sun (a roof is an appropriate place). Run the water pipe from the water supply to the inlet of the heat exchanger and connect them with the appropriate brass fittings. Run a pipe from the outlet of the heat exchanger to the insulated storage tank, which is then tied into the water supply for the shower/bathroom that will be using the water. Turn the water supply on and allow the water to run through the heat exchanger and into the insulated storage tank.

Tips & Warnings

• These solar hot water heaters are really only large enough to supply one bathroom or shower at a time, so plan your water use wisely.

• The water coming out of the heat exchanger can be quite warm (up to 110 degrees), so be careful to mix cooler water with the hot water when in use.

Resources

• This is a link to another type of hot water heater of different design