How to Insulate a Solar Water Heater
Insulating a water heater is a great way to help the environment and save money. it is especially important with solar water heaters, as the heating speed is very slow, and any heat lost would take hours of daylight to regain. Insulative wrap is specially flexible insulation that can be applied to rounded objects, like a water heater. Duct tape can be used to secure the wrap to the water heater tank. The water will then stay hotter longer. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Measure the water tank on your solar water heater. Take the circumference and the height of the tank. Measure the top diameter of the tank, since that is where most of the heat is lost.
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Purchase enough insulative wrap to cover your water heat plus 10 percent for overlap on the seams. If the seams do not overlap, heat can leak out through the narrow slits. Some hardware stores will cut the wrap to your specifications for a nominal fee.
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Wrap the side of the solar water heater tank. Place the wrap against the side then tape it so that it stays fixed to the side. Push the wrap around the side until it is completely covered and overlaps onto the seam. Tape the seam down perpendicularly to keep it in place. Then tape over the seam to keep the air in.
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Cut holes in the top disk of insulative wrap for the pipes that connect at the top. Cut lines connecting the holes to the side of the disk so you can slide the disk onto the heater without having to dissemble the top of the tank. Slide on the disk then tape it to the top. Tape the rim of the disk to the insulative wrap on the side of the heater.
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References
- Photo Credit sun image by Bube from Fotolia.com
