| Solar power is one of the cheapest forms of energy | | | | half. If you have the basic building skills and a place to |
| available. It's not harmful to the environment and it's | | | | work you are on your way to "Green" living and |
| obviously in abundance. So, what do we do with all this | | | | saving loads of money in the process. |
| cheap solar power? We use it to our advantage and | | | | When you're done, you'll have DIY solar power, and |
| harness some of that "Free" energy. In order to save | | | | your energy bills will be slashed by at least 30%, if not |
| on energy costs, there is an inexpensive way to make | | | | more. There are two different types-open loop and |
| hot water without using electricity or gas. It takes a bit | | | | closed loop. In an open loop system, the home's |
| of construction, but it's not very difficult to make your | | | | conventional hot water heater is aided by a |
| own do-it-yourself water heater! You probably have | | | | solar-powered collector positioned outside. The water |
| most of the parts needed to make it just lying around | | | | is already warm, so the water heater doesn't have to |
| in a garage or in the deep recesses of a basement. | | | | work as hard to heat it. In the closed loop system, an |
| Put those parts to good use! | | | | antifreeze-like fluid is transferred from the outside |
| The first step is to build your own solar panels. It may | | | | collector to a storage tank positioned near the indoor |
| seem like a daunting task, but it's not that hard. A solar | | | | water heater, and this fluid never comes in contact |
| panel can be built with an old refrigerator radiator as | | | | with the home's water supply. |
| the heating mechanism, old scrap wood as the base, | | | | Solar power for the home is always a good idea. Not |
| and an old glass pane serves as the window to let the | | | | only is it environmentally friendly, but the income tax |
| sunshine in. Cover the back with aluminum foil for | | | | credit received for installing a solar powered water |
| reflection purposes, seal the foil with tape, and leave a | | | | heater pays dividends later on as well. The initial cost is |
| notch at either end of the panel for a cold water entry | | | | a bit higher, but it pays for itself in lower utility bills in the |
| and a hot water exit. As long as a continuous supply | | | | long term. Solar power is just too practical to say no |
| of cold water is fed into the panel, you'll get hot water | | | | to, unless you don't mind handing over your cash to the |
| at the base of the panel. | | | | electric and gas companies every month! |
| If that is a bit too basic for your liking there is a way to | | | | So you agree that solar is the way but it seems a bit |
| build your own professional looking and working solar | | | | overwhelming, the task to build your own solar hot |
| panels. By utilizing the experience of others you only | | | | water system. With the proper amount of qualified |
| have to follow simple instructions to produce the | | | | online help you can do whatever challenges you |
| desired effect. Cost are well below having it | | | | technically. Building your own solar hot water collectors |
| professionally installed and your "payback" time is cut in | | | | can be both fun and rewarding. |