Did you know that the sun can give you almost free hot water?  A diy solar water heating system is easy and very cheap – less than 100 dollars is often quoted.  Commercial solar water heaters can cost over 1,000 dollars so making and fitting your own solar hot water system will save you hundreds of dollars, paying for itself in just a few months.  Then your hot water will be free!

Solar heating works anywhere and at any time of the year – even wintertime!  It might not heat all your hot water (it often does, however) but it will definitely make a huge difference in your heating costs.  Expect to save at least one third.  Solar water heaters are simple devices, very efficient and environmentally friendly.  Making a solar water heater is easily a weekend project, provided you get properly organized firstand get all the parts assembled.

Solar hot water systems comprise a simple glazed collector box fitted with a chain of water pipes, which connect to the domestic hot and cold water pipes at or near your hot water tank.  Normally a drain valve is fitted should you need to empty the system for some reason, such as leaving the house empty in winter.  You will find the assembly easy and will not need any special skills or tools.  Position the collector box so that it faces the mid-day sun, mounting it on the roof if you wish, or attached to a wall, but ideally close to your hot water tank to minimize heat losses through the pipes.  All necessary materials will be available from your local hardware store, although you will probably find you already have some of them in your shed.

You will not damage your existing hot water system when making and fitting a solar water heater.  In fact, by lowering the use of the existing heaters, the solar [hot water|water] heater will help [prolong|extend] the [service|life] of your boiler or immersion heater and also save on utility and maintenance costs.  A further advantage is that solar heat is a renewable resource, so there is an [environmental bonus|eco-bonus|green bonus] for fitting a solar water heater as well.

You can use it for other things as well.  Solar hot water systems can help heat a swimming pool with constant, gentle heat all year.  Do you have, or are you planning on fitting, underfloor central heating?  This typically [operates on|uses] a constant supply of [warm (as opposed to hot) |warm (not hot)] water with a low flow rate. Diy solar water heating is a great way to warm your home for very little cost.

There is something very satisfying about making a simple device that saves you money, gives you free hot water on demand and helps save the planet at the same time.

These solar water heating systems are simple and fitting them is straightforward, but it is very easy to make mistakes that will be hard to rectify later.  It is really sensible, therefore, to invest in expert professional guidance and help when planning and building your solar hot water system.  This is a small but vital investment that costs surprisingly little but will ensure you do everything safely and efficiently. We have  more information about this on our specialized website.

In conclusion, we know from experience that making and fitting a solar water heating system will give you immense satisfaction, a lot of fun and really significant savings, so why not give it a try?

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