Learn How To Build Your Own Solar Hot Water System

A way of reducing our household expenses, get free energy and save the enviroment without spending alot of money, may seem unreal. But it can be achieved by building your own solar hot water system at home. This fun project is not easy but if it’s successfully made, its benefits are endless.

The materials needed for this project are as following:

Cut pieces or sheets of Plexiglas (to build your box), solder (to join pipes), plumber’s tape (to make sure there are no leaks), personal safety equipment such as glasses meant for safety, gloves (while handling solder), L brackets, screws, drill, drill bits, pipes (material is usually copper), tank (usually metal) containing two drilled holes.

Building the solar hot water system

Once all the materials have been collected and your work place has been arranged, you can start building this marvelous device by following the given steps:

• The most important step is to first make sure your main water line is disconnected and your faucets are turned on to drain out all the lines.

• Only once the first step is completed, proceed to step 2 which involves locating a convenient and sunny spot to ‘make hay when the sun shines’. Most home owners opt for the roof. You should make sure no tall trees will obstruct the shining light since this can have a detrimental effect on the efficiency of your solar water heater.

• Construct your box using Plexiglas. L shaped brackets can come in handy while making the box.

• Next, attach L brackets to your water tank and attach this to the roof. You should attach screw fittings to the holes (that you had drilled previously in the tank). One is advised to use plumber’s tape for sealing the holes.

• This step involves using solder, so caution and safety must be practiced, especially if this is the first time you’re handling solder. Essentially, one should use the solder to attach a pipe to the screw fitting underneath the tank in addition to another pipe (usually a bit larger) to the screw fitting at the top of the tank.

• The pipes mentioned in step 5 should be able to have access to the box. Hence, holes must be drilled into the box.

• There are several soldering steps involved and depend on your house. Basically, you should join these pipes together until you reach your water heater in the house. To make them as unobtrusive as possible, place them near the wall.

• The line through which cold water flows is connected to the hole is located underneath your tank. This should be joined with the water heater. However, another cold water pipe at the moment is connected to your heater. Therefore, cut this line, and make another connection that links the pipe from the tank with the heater.

• A final check could involve ensuring there are no leaks and everything is sealed well. 

Follow these steps, build your own solar hot water system and take good use of the sunny days and embrace the added benefits.