DIY hot water systems are not new, people in the United States have been using homemade water heating kits for over 100 years. Thirty percent of all hot water needs of the residents of pasadena in 1897 was produced by using homemade solar water heaters! If our ancestors could harness the power of the sun over a hundred years ago, then we should be now!
However the discovery of massive supplies of gas and oil in the United States meant that creating energy from the sun was sidelined in favor of fossil fuel heating methods. The trend in the use of homemade solar hot water kits has increased as the world looks to lower carbon emissions.
Latest statistics show that there are over 500,000 such water heating devices used in California. Many of these are used in houses and swimming pools. Using a DIY Solar Panels for swimming pools and showers is a great way to lower pollution caused by fossil fuels and also to lower your electricity bill. A bonus is that your carbon footprint is less.
Homemade solar panels used to heat hot water will typically contain pipework, a insulation box and covering panel. The sun’s heat is transferred through the glass which magnifies its intensity and makes the water in the pipes hot. Just imagine the sun as the power source for your hot water tank. However unlike when you flip the electricity switch, the sun heats up your hot water for free!
Most of the equipment that you will require can be bought at your local DIY shop. I use Radioshack for example. I can now build my own panels and cells for under $200. But remember energy from the sun is free so you will recoup these costs over time. More importantly you will not be paying thousands of dollars to a professional when you can build your own for a fraction of the price! The cost of the components is far outweighed by what you will be saving long term in electricity and heating costs around your home.
So what are you waiting for? You could be using these simple DIY solar panel systems to heat your home or swimming pool. Making a do it yourself solar hot water panel is actually easier than you would think. There are stacks of guides and plans available on the internet.
Tags: diy solar, diy solar hot water, diy solar kits, diy solar panel