EcoRenovator  

Go Back   EcoRenovator > Improvements > Solar Heating
Advanced Search
 


Blog 60+ Home Energy Saving Tips Recent Posts Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12-10-09, 03:00 PM   #1
cdig
Helper EcoRenovator
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 61
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default Chest freezer as water storage tank?

I'm wondering if anyone knows what the R-value is on a chest freezer, and if anyone's ever thought of using one as a hot water storage tank for a solar heating system?

It seems to me that those old gigantic freezers would serve a new purpose as a hot water storage tank for a solar water heating system. but would they be strong enough to retain that much liquid without reinforcement? Or what about half-burying it in the ground to add some strength/insulation? thoughts?

cdig is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to cdig For This Useful Post:
pinokio (11-13-10)
Old 12-10-09, 03:13 PM   #2
Daox
Administrator
 
Daox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Germantown, WI
Posts: 5,525
Thanks: 1,162
Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts
Default

Interesting idea cdig. The first thing that would worry me is the plastic lining. Can it hold up to the water temperatures it would see? I think adding insulation would definitely be a good idea. Other than that, I don't see any problems, except possible leaks.
__________________
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.
Daox is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-11-09, 09:30 AM   #3
cdig
Helper EcoRenovator
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 61
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

yeah, I'm thinking it would be a good idea to insulate the inside with a layer of foil-backed insulation and then put in a plastic liner.
cdig is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-11-09, 09:37 AM   #4
Daox
Administrator
 
Daox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Germantown, WI
Posts: 5,525
Thanks: 1,162
Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts
Default

I'd also want to test it outdoors. If it isn't structurally strong enough to hold the water (which really weights a lot)... well, you don't want that anywhere in the 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.
Daox is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-11-09, 09:49 AM   #5
cdig
Helper EcoRenovator
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 61
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

yeah I'm thinking more and more of adding a solar shed on the side of my garage, it would house the water tank, provide storage for yard stuff, and also be a heated place to put a sandpoint pump for watering our horses.
cdig is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-11-09, 09:54 AM   #6
Daox
Administrator
 
Daox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Germantown, WI
Posts: 5,525
Thanks: 1,162
Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts
Default

I really do like the freezer. There is always someone selling those things or willing to give them away if you come and pull it out of their house. It could be a sizable cost savings in a solar hot water setup.
__________________
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.
Daox is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-10, 12:30 AM   #7
Joe
Lurking Renovator
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 21
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

That is a great idea, I was looking into a hot tub, an old beat up one with a cover and everything for $50 on craigslist.
Joe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-23-10, 02:35 PM   #8
Joe
Lurking Renovator
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 21
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

so I picked up my free non working chest freezer from craigslist sunday and hauled it home. Its 14 cf so I think thats about 100 gal. my friend has some left over epdm roofing material he is going to give me so im gonna fill it with water and see what happens.
Joe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-23-10, 02:54 PM   #9
Daox
Administrator
 
Daox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Germantown, WI
Posts: 5,525
Thanks: 1,162
Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts
Default

Nice! Be sure to snap some pictures if you can for us.
__________________
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.
Daox is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-03-10, 04:21 PM   #10
Joe
Lurking Renovator
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 21
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

So I filled it with water yesterday and let it sit, it actually held up very well, didn't even bulge. I want to add some bulkhead fittings to it so I can run the 1" pex for the exchanger coil and the 1/2" pex for the collector lines through the side but the only problem is that the wall is about 3" thick and I cant seem to find any cheap ones this long, any ideas? I dont have my camera at home yet but as soon as I get it I will take some pics.

Joe is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:15 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Ad Management by RedTyger
Inactive Reminders By Icora Web Design