How To Build a Solar Hot Water Heater

Using the sun to heat domestic hot water is the most practical application of solar energy at the present time. Also, this system has been widely popular among the people during winter seasons. While a lot of improvements are made to the designs and a reduction in the cost of solar photovoltaic cells are making other solar systems very practical as well, heating water for your home is the easiest and least expensive way to get involved in a solar energy solution for your home.

Now, many things have been made easier. By learning the relatively easy method of building your own DIY solar water heater , you can make this expense unbelievably minimal and learn a lot about the application of these systems at the same time.

The solar hot water heater of today is as equally effective as water heaters powered by more conventional power sources, namely: gas and electric. A solar hot water panel can heat your home’s water to temperatures of up as much as 140° F.

There are two types of solar hot water heaters – passive and active. Both collect radiant heat from the sun into a solar hot water panel, and both can serve much of any household’s hot water needs, while at the same time, both can cut back considerably on energy costs.

Benefits of Solar hot water heater:

1. Performs well for 15 to 20 years.
2. Requires far less maintenance than its more conventional counterparts.
3. Heat up your home’s water temperatures to as much as 140° F
4. Works best during winter seasons
5. Eco friendly

For those who are dedicated to building or buying a dedicated solar electricity system for their homes, constructing a solar heating system makes perfect sense as a first step. If you can heat your water with the power of the sun, you will have less need for a large and cumbersome electrical system and can get the size and scale of your photovoltaic panels right from the very beginning.

There is a fantastic ratio of savings for the initial money spent on a solar heating system, and for only a few hundred dollars on materials and a small investment on a good instructional guide, you can be enjoying the benefits of a solar hot water heater for years to come.