$1000 DIY Solar Water Heater

[Dover]

This system can save $300+ per year in energy costs and reduce CO2 emissions by 2 tons. Full and free construction plans provided below -- it will cost about $1000 in materials.


As of late April 2009 we have lived with this system for 8 months. It has been trouble free and provided a solar fraction of 94% over the cold Montana winter. Aside from the failure of an off the shelf controller, it has required no maintenance. The drain back system has seen temperatures down to -30F with not even a hint of a problem.

I believe that the system has been and will continue to be the functional and thermal equivalent of commercial systems that seem to be going for around $7000+ these days.

Overview:
http://www.builditsolar.com/Experimental/PEXColDHW/Overview.htm

Detailed Instructions:
http://www.builditsolar.com/Experimental/PEXColDHW/RoadMap.htm



Also check out this video:
PARABOLIC TROUGH REFLECTOR SOLAR WATER HEATER GREEN POWER

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXXOwfZA2Rk

[marybourg]

1. Taking advantage of federal, state (AZ) and power company rebates

my commercial 80 gal hot H2O heater with resistance backup only cost me $800.

[Dover]

2. :thumbsup: What brand did you purchase? How long has it been operating?

:thumbsup:

Any problems so far? Would you recommend it over traditional heaters?

That site has loads of interesting DIY projects. I always feel like I
learn so much about the mechanics and maintenance of something when I build it myself.