DIY Solar Water Heater- Cool Move!

DIY Solar Hot Water Heater- You Can Do This!

First, a solar water heater is much more affordable and operates more efficiently than most other solar systems. And it is this fact that makes the consideration of a DIY solar water heater project a smart decision for you. Like any solar energy system, the amount of the benefit you derive will be based on the amount of sunlight you get during the year. If you live in a region where more than 60% of your days are rainy then you should probably pass on this system. However, if you live in an area where most of the days are sunny for around 8 or more months of the year then you should definitely be considering a solar water heater system.

So What Are Your Choices When Choosing a Solar Water Heater System?

This one is simple- active and passive hot water systems are your choices. Here is a comparison of the two:

The passive system acts as a conduit from the solar energy to the water source. Passive uses the normal house plumbing and gravity to transfer the water between the hot water faucets and the solar collector. There are no pumps in the passive system that moves the water along. When considering a solar water heater, a passive system is easier to set up and requires much lower maintenance. It is important to note that a passive system should probably not be used in cold climates. If you do you can run the risk of freezing pipes.

The active hot water system involves a running process all the time. This does matter when you live in a cold climate. There are two types of active systems, a direct or an indirect system. With the direct system you have a process where the water is heated in a collector and then this heated water is transferred through the pipes with the use of pumps. On the other hand, the indirect system uses a certain non toxic liquid that contains coolant that transfers heat to the water and then it is stored to be used for demand at a later time.

So Do I Really Save if I Have a Solar Water Heater?

One important quetion is how much does a DIY Solar Hot Water Heater save?It truly depends on a few things. First, the type of heating fuel you buy for water heating. So if you are heating your water with either electricity or natural gas and say you have a family of four then most definitely you could be saving. A solar hot water heater will save you on monthly operating costs and are constructed to last a long time. It is not out of line to estimate that your hot water bill is approximately 25% yearly of your electricity costs. For example, if you are paying $4000 yearly for your electricity you can allocate $1000 for the hot water. Therefore, if you change to a solar hot water heater you should have a minimum savings of about $700 a year. This is definitely much less monthly than you would have to pay for a gas or electric hot water heater. The need to worry about the maintenance of the solar water heater system is minimal and the source of energy, the sun, is free. If you were planning to reside in your home for a short period of time, say a few years,  then it may not be directly cost beneficial for you. However, it would be a selling feature for a potential buyer.

Finding Help With Your DIY Solar Hot Water Heater Project.

Now that you have decided to move forward with your DIY solar water heater project it would be a great idea to get some valuable instruction. You don’t want to end up frustrated and lost for such a important project. You should get a good installation manual that is going to show you step by step procedures with illustrations. So do some research and find a good book that is going to put you at ease. It can be your new best friend for tackling this project. Good luck with your project and be proud of yourself for taking this on!

To take advantage of more information about installing a DIY Solar Water Heater and other free quality information and eBook giveaways visit e DIY Home Projects.