| It is a very attractive idea to use the power of the sun | | | | In fact, by reducing the operating demands on your |
| to supplement a domestic hot water heating system. | | | | existing system, the solar hot water heater will help |
| Making a solar panel water heater is easy and very | | | | prolong the life of your boiler or immersion heater as |
| cheap - less than $100 is quite possible. Commercial | | | | well as save on utility bills. And remember, this is free |
| solar water heaters usually cost more than $1,000 so | | | | energy that helps reduce our dependence on fossil |
| a DIY solar water heating system will save you | | | | fuels and reduces our carbon emissions, so there is an |
| hundreds of dollars, paying for itself in about a month. | | | | environmental bonus for fitting a solar water heater. |
| And you will be making significant savings every month | | | | And it could have other uses as well. Solar hot water |
| after that! | | | | systems can be used for heating swimming pools by |
| Solar water heating works anywhere in the world - | | | | providing a gentle, all-year-round source of free |
| even in the middle of winter! It might not meet all your | | | | heating. How about underfloor heating? This is a |
| hot water requirements (although it often does), but it | | | | popular type of central heating these days and |
| will make a large hole in your utility bills. Savings of one | | | | typically operates on a constant supply of warm (as |
| third are usually the case. These systems are simple, | | | | opposed to hot) water with a low flow rate. A solar |
| effective, eco-friendly and, typically, can be made and | | | | water heating system is ideal. |
| installed as a weekend project. | | | | There is something very satisfying about making a |
| The system consists of a simple glazed solar collector | | | | simple device that saves you money, gives you free |
| box containing water tubes that, in turn, are connected | | | | hot water on demand and helps save the planet at the |
| to the hot and cold water pipes of an existing hot | | | | same time. |
| water cylinder. A drain valve is usually added in case | | | | Even though these systems are simple, it is easy to |
| you need to isolate the solar water heater for any | | | | make mistakes during installation if you are not |
| reason, such as going away on vacation during the | | | | experienced enough. It is really sensible, therefore, to |
| winter. The plumbing is easy and no special skills or | | | | invest in an expert to give you professional guidance |
| tools are needed. The solar collector box will be sited | | | | and help. The outlay will be very small, and you will get |
| and angled to face the sun at noon, and this can be on | | | | full assurance that you have done the job properly and |
| a roof or against a suitable wall. All necessary | | | | safely. We have provided more advice and |
| materials can be bought from the local hardware store, | | | | recommendations on our website, which you are |
| although you will probably find you already have some | | | | welcome to visit. |
| of them in your tool shed. | | | | Making and installing your own solar water heater is a |
| Making and fitting such a system will not interfere with | | | | satisfying and fun project that will give you years of |
| or harm your existing hot water installation in any way. | | | | savings, so why not give it a go? |