Simple and cheap solar hot water idea

Daox · 09-19-08, 12:24 PM

IMO solar hot water should be used pretty much everywhere. This is a great place to start and doesn't have to be expensive. In fact, you don't even really need to go with solar commercial products. Here is a rough idea I have.

If you live in a warm climate it could be as simple as running a cold water line to a black painted tank in your yard or on the roof. You then run an outlet line from that tank to the water heater. This allows your heater to pull in preheated water from the outside tank. At the very least, the water is heated up to ambient temperatures which will be much warmer than ground water temperature. If your ground water is 60°, and the ambient temperature is 90° outside, and your water heater is set to 120° you could cut your hot water energy useage (and bill) by 50%. All you would need is a tank and some PEX tubing and fittings!

The problem arises when you have freezing conditions. Even still, you could use the previous sytem for the warm months of the year!

As a side note, the cold water could even be passed through a heat exchanger in the house before going to the tank to help cool off your house.

09-19-08, 12:24 PM	#1
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	Simple and cheap solar hot water idea IMO solar hot water should be used pretty much everywhere. This is a great place to start and doesn't have to be expensive. In fact, you don't even really need to go with solar commercial products. Here is a rough idea I have. If you live in a warm climate it could be as simple as running a cold water line to a black painted tank in your yard or on the roof. You then run an outlet line from that tank to the water heater. This allows your heater to pull in preheated water from the outside tank. At the very least, the water is heated up to ambient temperatures which will be much warmer than ground water temperature. If your ground water is 60°, and the ambient temperature is 90° outside, and your water heater is set to 120° you could cut your hot water energy useage (and bill) by 50%. All you would need is a tank and some PEX tubing and fittings! The problem arises when you have freezing conditions. Even still, you could use the previous sytem for the warm months of the year! As a side note, the cold water could even be passed through a heat exchanger in the house before going to the tank to help cool off your house. __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.