| One of the biggest uses of gas, oil and electricity is the | | | | connecting units |
| heating of water in our home, swimming pools, schools, | | | | The Start of Construction |
| offices, hospitals, and many others. Using a solar | | | | The first step is to build your hot box. This is a wood |
| powered hot water heater system is a very efficient | | | | box covered with glass or in our case, a segment of |
| and simple way to grab energy from the sun and use | | | | the storm windows to catch the heat from the sun. |
| it. | | | | Then use the copper collector sheet and water pipes |
| Knowing on how to build a solar water heater and | | | | to build a manifold inside the finished box. In here, the |
| making your own can be a great and inexpensive | | | | collected solar heat will warm the water. |
| alternative to those commercial solar water heaters | | | | Now connect the storage tank which is positioned |
| which costs upwards of $2,000. You can find all the | | | | above the collector box and manifold outlets. This will |
| equipments and materials you need for a lot less than | | | | transfer the warm water up into the storage tank and |
| what those commercial ones cost. Then having to | | | | sends the cooler water down to be warmed in the |
| DIY(do it yourself), you're well on your way to the first | | | | collector. Also check for leaks before you begin |
| of many free environmental friendly hot showers. | | | | regular use. In case you find water escaping from any |
| The instructions below were based on a must have | | | | area, empty the hot water system completely before |
| guide for everyone planning to have their home | | | | resolding that leaking point. |
| environment friendly by using solar and wind power. | | | | Finally, you can then apply black paint to the collector |
| For the supplies, you will need: | | | | sheet and manifold and protect any visible wood with |
| 1. lumber | | | | oil-based coating. Put the homemade solar powered |
| 2. pegboard masonite | | | | water heater at a 45 degree angle and connect the |
| 3. plastic foam insulation | | | | water tank, and you are now ready to go. |
| 4. sampling of copper items | | | | Now you know on how to build a solar water heater |
| 5. Used aluminum storm windows can be used in place | | | | system, and this will lead to savings of about of about |
| of expensive glass panels | | | | two-thirds on previous hot water heating bills and is |
| 6. old water heater will work for your storage tank | | | | environmentally friendly. |
| 7. nails, relief valve, black plastic pipe, and fittings for | | | | |