Build Your Own Solar Water Heater

You can use the power of the sun to supplement your hot water heating requirements. It is easy to build your own solar water heater and very cheap – less than $100 is often the case to build solar water heater systems that work really well.

Ready-made solar water systems usually cost more than $1,000 so a DIY solar heater will save you a large outlay, paying for itself in a couple of months. And you will start saving every month after that!

What’s more, solar energy heating works anywhere in the world – even in the middle of winter!

It might not meet all your hot water requirements (although it often does), but it will reduce your hot water heating bills significantly. Savings of one third are usually the case.

These diy solar water heating systems are simple, effective and ‘green’. Typically, they can be made and installed as a weekend project.

Click here to build your own solar water heater

Here is how these homemade solar water heaters work.

Design

You will make a simple glazed solar collector box containing water tubes that, in turn, you will connect to the hot and cold water pipes of your existing hot water tank. A drain valve or tap also makes sense in case you need to isolate the solar water heater panel for any reason. The plumbing is easy and you will need no special skills or tools.

Position

The solar collector box will be sited and angled to face the sun at noon, and this can be on your roof or against a suitable wall. All the materials needed can be bought from the local hardware store, and you will probably find that you already have some of them in your tool-shed.

Installation

If you decide to build your own solar water heater it will not interfere with or harm your normal hot water installation in any way. In fact, by reducing the operating demands on your existing system, the solar water heating panel will help prolong the life of your boiler or immersion heater as well as save on your utility bills.

Furthermore, this is free energy that helps reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and reduces our carbon emissions, so there is a ‘green’ bonus for fitting these thermal solar water systems.

Other Uses

Apart from using a solar panel heater to supplement your domestic hot water heating, you might consider other uses as well.

Homemade solar water heaters can be used for heating swimming pools by providing a gentle, all-year-round source of free heating. How about underfloor heating systems? These typically need a constant supply of warm (as opposed to hot) water with a low flow rate, and a solar hot water diy system is ideal for this.

An extra bonus with this type of project is that you will find it great fun to do! You will see results very quickly and experience a strong feel-good factor. There is something very satisfying in making a simple homemade solar hot water device that saves you money, gives you free hot water on demand and helps save the planet at the same time.

Plans and Kits

There are many sources of advice for making solar panels hot water systems, but my own favorite plans and guide kit is produced by SimpleHeaters. You will find this help and advice invaluable and very encouraging, and there are lots of professional tips to save you time and wasted materials.The plans are good too.

I thoroughly recommend a visit to their website to see for yourself.