How to Make Your Own Solar Heater

A solar heater can reduce or totally eliminate the need for "grid" power use, and can turn the natural light of the sun into hot water for use in the home. By running the home's water supply through a series of pipes that are heated by direct sunlight, the water is heated. The hot water can be stored in a common cylinder water heater. Using simple materials, or even recycled materials, the average backyard engineer can create a solar heater in about an hour.

Things You'll Need

• Copper pipe
• Copper pipe 90-degree adapters
• Pipe cutters
• Black paint
• Plywood
• 2-by-4-inch lumber
• Plexiglass sheet
• Plastic thermal film

Instructions

1. Build the heater box. This box will be attached to the home plumbing system and can be mounted to any location with direct sunlight exposure. A plywood bottom is turned into a shallow box with the 2-by-4s nailed to its edge, then lined with plastic thermal film. Drill two holes at opposite corners to allow spaces for the pipe to enter and exit.

2. Install copper pipe to the inside of the box. From one corner hole, run pipe to the opposite edge; then put 90-degree pipe adapters on the end so that it turns the pipe 180 degrees. Run more pipe to the opposite edge, and repeat the 180-degree turn. Continue to run pipe until the box is full, in a "radiator" pattern, and exits from the second hole.

3. Paint the interior of the box and all copper pipe black. Apply several coats, which should turn the whole inside of the box a totally black color. Allow to dry.

4. Seal the box with a sheet of plexiglass. The plexiglass can be drilled and screwed, or simply glued to the top of the box. This will trap the heat in the box and warm the pipes more quickly.

5. Mount the box in direct sunlight. Most users mount this box on the roof of a house, as the flat surface and extreme sun can warm water quickly.

6. Connect the box to the home's plumbing system. Either pipe can be used for entry and exit, but using the top hole as the entry and the bottom hole as the exit will allow gravity to help pump the water.

Tips & Warnings

• Use several boxes to increase the amount of hot water available.

• Use caution when working with the plumbing system, and be sure the water main is turned off.

References

• Make a Solar Water Heater for Less Than $5