Solar Water Heater Options

There are a number of design ideas available, and you can even find those ideas, along with details of constructing your own simple solar water heater, right online. They consist of the same basic principle with options, such as drawing water back into a tank to prevent freezing in northern cold zones.

Homemade Solar Water Heaters

A solar water heater can be something as simple as a dark-colored container that holds a couple gallons of water for a shower and is placed in the sun all day to a complex system on your roof complete with a holding tank in the house. It's really up to you and the zone you live in as to what you can do. Creative folks are constructing them with new and recycled materials and reaping the benefits of free energy from the sun.

Manufactured Solar Water Heaters

The huge advantage to these is there is little for you to do. The design and construction have already been thought out and completed. Most of them utilize glass tubes encased in an insulated box that is dark-colored to attract heat from the sun, and may include a super-insulated tank installed in the home where water is routed to wait for domestic use. Installation may or may not be provided by the dealer. If you don't know what you are doing, it's best to allow the dealer to do the installation.

The big disadvantage to these is the cost. They can go for just under $1,000 to nearly $4,000 or more depending on just how much water you want to heat. Some go on the roof while others sit at ground level.

Alternative to Manufactured Solar Water Heaters

If you like, you can simply buy the manufactured parts and plans and construct your own professional-looking solar water heater. You'll save a little money and have the satisfaction of doing it yourself, too. Check those out on eBay.com.