Employing solar power to heat water symbolizes one of the most logical methods of generating hot water that you can find. Why use un-renewable resources when we have an over abundance of energy emitting from our own sun? It is rapidly becoming an acknowledged impression that the best way to diminish energy consumption is by building your own Solar Water Heater.

During the construction phase of this project, you would need to paint your water tank with flat stovepipe black paint. The paint will permit the tank to absorb as much of the sun's energy as it can. You will also need to assemble a straightforward plywood box around the water tank. Be sure to insulate the interior of the box with some fiberglass insulation, as this will facilitate eliminating any energy lost within the system.

At this point in time, you would install the painted water tank into the box and attach any of the necessary plumbing to the bottom of it. These are, of course, the pipes which carry the water from your house to the heater. Another set of water pipes will carry the water from the heater back to the houses water distribution system.

Here you have a simple home made solar water tank that is more then capable of providing a single person or perchance a couple with adequate quantities of water. For more information visit Indyalive.

I throw a 200 ft hose on the roof fill it with water, at the end of the day I take a hot shower!

I would think you would be better off putting the outlet near the top as the hot water will be on the top. You can use a toilet float to keep the tank full. Careful it doesn't burn you as it can get very hot.

I throw a 200 ft hose on the roof fill it with water, at the end of the day I take a hot shower!

Meandwi - he he like it!

think you are on the right tracks there mate.....

"A Chinese farmer has made his own solar-powered water heater out of beer bottles and hosepipes"

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_2360667.html

I'm having a difficult time understanding this. You paint the tank black to absorb the heat from the sun then you put the tank in an insulated box?

I'm having a difficult time understanding this. You paint the tank black to absorb the heat from the sun then you put the tank in an insulated box?

My thoughts exactly.

I have two tanks one is painted black and exposed to the sun. The other is situated somewhat higher than the painted one and enclosed and insulated.

The hot water rises from the main tank (painted one) and stored in the insulated 2nd tank for use.

I also have a backup set of photo voltiac cells for prelonged periods of bad weather or cloud cover.

I like the Chinese farmer's idea.

I'll start tomorrow...I might get as far as emptying the beer bottles at least

I like the Chinese farmer's idea.

I'll start tomorrow...I might get as far as emptying the beer bottles at least

Thats the easy part Loong.

But don't go climing ladders to install them on the same day lol.

I like the Chinese farmer's idea.

I'll start tomorrow...I might get as far as emptying the beer bottles at least

Thats the easy part Loong.

But don't go climing ladders to install them on the same day lol.

It'd take at least 2 days just to empty the bottles

Well actually more than 3 weeks and as all my empties disappear on a regular basis, I've got no chance.

On a serious note, if anybody is planning to attempt a DIY solar water heating installation.....

You have to take into consideration the expansion as the water heats up. If a sealed system, you should incorporate a pressure relief valve that will vent safely.

You should also consider some sort of thermostatic control as the water that flows initially will be the water in the pipes, maybe at a lower level and will be cooler. Then suddenly followed by scalding water. Remember that water under pressure more than atmosphere will reach temperatures far exceeding 100 degrees C ! If that superheated water under pressure is then only subjected to atmospheric pressure, it can strip the skin off of you!

Think about what happens in the cooling system of your car engine. That's a pressurised system and what happens if you try to take the radiator cap off when the engine is hot?

I wasn't expecting to come across this on a forum - great!

We live in a house that has solar heating, but... if you want to have a shower first thing in the morning, or on a rainy day, of less than 4 hours after someone else has had a shower, then it's cold.

Our tank is on the roof - in a really hard to reach part of the roof too. I have little inclination to climb up there and paint or insulate, even during the coldest showers. Is there a company here that does this kind of thing?

It's lovely to see this topic by chance. I was thinking of putting a little electric water heater (and power point) in our bathroom, but utilising the system that's already here would be better.

I also have a backup set of photo voltiac cells for prelonged periods of bad weather or cloud cover.

Photo-Voltiac cells require sunlight to produce power, what lelvel of power do you get even on a sunny day ?

Some pictures would be nice if possible.

I wasn't expecting to come across this on a forum - great!

We live in a house that has solar heating, but... if you want to have a shower first thing in the morning, or on a rainy day, of less than 4 hours after someone else has had a shower, then it's cold.

Our tank is on the roof - in a really hard to reach part of the roof too. I have little inclination to climb up there and paint or insulate, even during the coldest showers. Is there a company here that does this kind of thing?

It's lovely to see this topic by chance. I was thinking of putting a little electric water heater (and power point) in our bathroom, but utilising the system that's already here would be better.

The first problem could be that there is not sufficient storage capacity - it needs to be able to handle a reasonable draw-off at night and still maintain enough hot / warm water for next morning. Insulating the tank is more beneficial than just painting it black. I'm sure you can find someone who is capable of climbing onto the roof and cladding the tank in insulation.