DIY Solar Water Heater Plans
If you live in Hawaii and are building a new home, you are required to have a solar water heater. Imagine that -- no building permit is given unless your plans include reducing your carbon footprint. However, if you live elsewhere, it is not necessary to wait for a law to get you started on gathering free energy from the sun. You can build your own passive solar water heater. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Electric water heater tank(s), new or salvaged
- Flat black paint
- Plywood
- Sturdy nylon straps
- Window glass or rigid clear plastic
- Plumbing fittings
- Pipe
- Caulk
- Urethane foam with aluminum jacket
Instructions
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1
Paint the heater tank(s) with the black paint.
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Use plywood to build a box large enough to hold the heater tank(s) when they're resting horizontally. Leave the top and south facing side of box open.
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3
Position your box in a sunny, south-facing location that is close to your home.
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Use straps to secure the heater tank(s) to the bed of the plywood box.
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If you have more than one tank, plumb them to one another.
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Connect your home's cold water source to the bottom of the first (or single) heater tank. Using your home's pressurized water system eliminates the need for a pump.
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Connect the top of the last (or single) heater tank to your home's existing water heater, taking care to bleed the water out of the heater tank.
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Cover the top and south facing side of box with two layers of glass or rigid plastic, leaving an airspace between them for additional insulation. Caulk the edges.
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Wrap insulation (urethane foam) around any exposed pipes that connect your solar heater to your home.
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Tips & Warnings
Test water heaters for leakage before bringing them home. Don't use a tank that you are unsure of.
Long, thin water heaters are the most efficient.
Position your solar heater so it gets maximum exposure to the sun.
Get enough water heaters to supply 30 gallons of water for each person in your household.
Expect lower morning water temperatures, since your heater tanks will have cooled overnight.
To increase solar collectivity, tilt the plywood box toward the sun.
Consider installing a tempering valve near the backup water heater.
If you live in a cold climate, you will need to drain your solar batch heater during the winter months.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit The sun image by Denis Kadacki from Fotolia.com
