EcoRenovator - View Single Post - Designing & building a solar hot water tank

Solaris · 07-07-11, 02:22 PM

Have you considered using a freezer as the container?

Used freezers are a great (free) metal box with a nice white finished look, have decent insulation to start, and a hinged sealing lid.

The freezer can be enhanced by lining the inside with 1" rigid foam, and a one-piece EDPM liner, glued up above the water line, and a floating pool-blanket to reduce air convection loss.

Size can easily be in the 150-200 gallon range, which is fine for solar preheat. If your floor is cement, you could stack two, and have passive thermo-syphon heat the top tank.

There are liquid transport "totes" that hold 500 gallons, have a metal cage frame with a platic liner, and can be picked up cheap.

07-07-11, 02:22 PM	#26
Solaris Uber Effecient Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Have you considered using a freezer as the container? Used freezers are a great (free) metal box with a nice white finished look, have decent insulation to start, and a hinged sealing lid. The freezer can be enhanced by lining the inside with 1" rigid foam, and a one-piece EDPM liner, glued up above the water line, and a floating pool-blanket to reduce air convection loss. Size can easily be in the 150-200 gallon range, which is fine for solar preheat. If your floor is cement, you could stack two, and have passive thermo-syphon heat the top tank. There are liquid transport "totes" that hold 500 gallons, have a metal cage frame with a platic liner, and can be picked up cheap. __________________ Solaris To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.