DIY Solar Water Heater: How to Save Money on Your Water Heating Bill
Heating the water in your home is a significant expense for most families. With the cost of electricity and natural gas rising, it is an expense that is getting harder to manage. By utilizing solar energy to heat your water, you can drastically reduce your monthly water heating bills. This guide will show you how to make a simple, DIY Solar Water Heater, and how you can use it to save money on your water heating bill.
Benefits of Solar Water Heating
A solar water heater can save you a lot of money on your water heating bill over time. Solar energy is free, abundant, and renewable, making it a great source of energy. Solar energy is also environmentally friendly, so it does not harm the planet like some other sources of energy. Additionally, solar water heaters can be installed without any special permits or licenses, so you can do it yourself.
Parts and Supplies Needed
The supplies you need to build your own DIY Solar Water Heater are relatively simple and inexpensive. You will need:
- Solar panel (12-18 V)
- Pipe insulation
- A copper pipe
- Teflon tape
- Crimp tool
- Copper adapters
- PEX Tubing
- Circulator pump
- Pressure Relief Valve
Building the Solar Water Heater
Now, we can start building the solar water heater. The first step is to assemble the solar panel and pipe insulation. To do this, you will need to use the Teflon tape and crimp tool to attach the copper adapters to the panels and insulation.
Once the pipe insulation and solar panel are in place, you will need to attach the PEX tubing. This tubing will be what connects the solar panel to the water tank. The PEX tubing should be routed from the solar panel to the water tank in the most efficient way possible.
Once the PEX tubing is in place, you will need to attach the circulator pump. This pump will be responsible for pushing the water from the tank through the solar panel and back into the tank. You will also need to attach the pressure relief valve to the system to help regulate the pressure of the water.
Installing the Solar Water Heater
Now that the solar water heater is built, it’s time to install it. First, you will need to mount the panel to the roof of your house. To do this, you will need to use a mounting bracket and fasten it securely to the roof.
Once the panel is mounted, you will need to connect the PEX tubing to the water tank. This will require you to drill a hole in the side of the tank and attach the PEX tubing and fittings. Once the tubing is connected, you will need to fill the tank with water and turn on the circulator pump.
Testing the Solar Water Heater
Once the solar water heater is installed and the pump is running, it’s time to test it. You should allow the pump to run for several hours to ensure that it is working properly. After a few hours, feel the PEX tubing to see if it is getting hot. If it is, then the solar water heater is working correctly.
Cautions
Before building and installing a solar water heater, it is important to take safety precautions. Be sure to read all of the instructions carefully before attempting any of the steps. Additionally, it is important to wear safety goggles and gloves when handling the parts and supplies.
Time and Expenses
Building and installing a DIY solar water heater will take approximately one day to complete. The cost of the supplies will depend on the size of the solar panel and the type of fittings used. However, in most cases, the cost should not exceed $200.
Conclusion
Heating the water in your home can be a costly expense. However, with a DIY solar water heater, you can drastically reduce your monthly water heating bill. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily build and install your own solar water heater and start saving money right away.
