Maybe
installing solar cells or a wind generator is
more than your budget can handle right now. There is something you can
do to
reduce your power bill. It is low tech, fairly easy to hook up, and
won’t cost
you an arm and a leg. You can install a solar hot water heater.
One
of the most simple solar hot water heaters to
install is one made out of black plastic pipe. You will want to fan the
coils
out a bit to allow sunlight into all the coils but it will still be a
fairly
compact assembly. Different diameter hose will naturally hold more or
less
water. A hundred feet of half inch hose will contain approximately 2
gallons of
water whereas a hundred feet of three-quarter inch hose will hold
around four
and a half gallons. So if you would like to heat about 10 gallons at a
time
then two hundred feet of three-quarter inch hose
would do the trick.
Last
time I checked 100 feet of three-quarter inch
hose at your local Home Depot or Lowe’s would set you back around $50
and 100
feet of half inch hose would cost about $30. You can then add in about
$5 for
each of the end couplings to join everything together.
There are some
videos below to get your creative juices flowing. If you are somebody
that prefers to work with plans that somebody else has fined tuned then
there is a link to DIY
Hot Water here and at the end of the videos. This is a little
unit that you should be able to assemble in a few evenings and for less
than $100.
*Note: If soldering copper pipe with leadless solder use a MAPP gas torch which is hotter.
Making A Solar Hot Water Heater With Black Plastic Tubing
Suggestions For Hot Water Heater
Materials
Fairly Detailed Solar Hot Water Set-Up Out Of Puerta Rico
This is a fairly detailed explanation of assembling
a solar water heater from half-inch copper tubing, wood, zinc plating, and flat
black paint. Remember that if you are soldering copper joints with leadless
solder you will have an easier time if you use a MAPP gas torch.
Solar Water Heater Made From Old Water Heater Painted Black
This just shows you can make a solar water heater out of almost anything.
Plans For Solar Hot Water Heater
If You Prefer Detailed Plans.
Click on the Solar Hot Water Heater Image to the left for
instructions on how to build your own solar hot water heater in a
couple of evenings for around $100 and then start cutting your power
bill by about 30%.
*This article contains paid affiliate links to products
that I have personally purchased, used, and evaluated. The small commission
that I receive should you decide to buy allows me to evaluate other products
that might be of interest to you.
*This article contains paid affiliate links to products
that I have personally purchased, used, and evaluated. The small commission
that I receive should you decide to buy allows me to evaluate other products
that might be of interest to you.
