DIY solar water heater: how to make and install at home

The reasons why you should make a solar water heater with your own hands: care for the environment and save electricity. it can be used not only in the country, but also at home in the summer. In the article, we have collected several options for heaters, choose “your own” and start implementing the idea.

The principle of operation and the device of a solar heater

The sun shines all year round, besides, no one takes money for this energy. How can you turn it to your advantage? Build a solar powered boiler. The efficiency of its work depends on the region: the more rays penetrate the earth, the better the device heats up. If we take factory devices, then their power is suitable even for heating.

How are industrial solar heaters arranged? They consist of:

• A collector is a container through which heated water flows.
• Tubes made of quartz glass with hoses inside (they contain a working fluid – a substance that turns into steam). It is quartz that transmits UV rays for optimal water heating even in cloudy weather. The tubes are vacuum, so they perfectly retain heat.
• Pump or other devices for creating pressure. Some non-pressure models work on the principle of convection.
• pipeline.
• storage tank.

How factory vacuum units work:

• Inside the tubes is the working fluid. Under the influence of sunlight, it turns into steam and rises, thus heating the water tank.
• If the water heater is storage, then with the help of a coil it is connected to a boiler in a house or apartment.

Flat heater design:

• It consists of a rectangular body, the rear wall of which is covered with heat-insulating material.
• A copper coil is attached to the body. It connects to the tank.
• Water circulates under the action of convection or a pump.
• The plate is painted black and protected by glass from above.

This option is cheaper than vacuum, but its efficiency is also lower, especially in cloudy weather.

Varieties of solar heaters

In addition to the above, there are simpler devices. They are divided into two types depending on the water supply:

• Active. Water circulates through the system using a pump, valve, collector. There are open and closed types. The latter contain antifreeze inside, which does not allow water to freeze even in minus.

• Passive. They have low productivity and operate in a non-pressure way.

Also, solar water heaters (SV) are instantaneous and storage. A homemade boiler can be used for a summer shower, for a pool, for a bath and other needs.

How to do your own work

As we already wrote, it is possible to make SV from different materials and in different ways.

From the refrigerator condenser

It is a ready-made absorber – steam absorber. However, the heat exchanger can also be made from the following materials:

• copper pipes;
• hoses;
• polymer, aluminum pipes;
• plastic bottles.

Let’s take a look at the capacitor. To make a battery you will need:

• Wooden planks or bars. You need to make a case in which the capacitor will fit.
• Glass.
• Reflective material (foil).
• Rubber lining, larger than the serpentine.
• Pipeline.
• Sealant.
• Thermal insulation.

Remove the grill from the back of the old refrigerator. It should be well cleaned and washed, since there was refrigerant inside. Make a frame from wooden bars. The lining will be rubber. Lay thermal insulation and a sheet of reflective material on top. Seal all cracks carefully.

Now install the capacitor and secure it in place. Above is a sheet of glass. You can fix the structure with tape. Organize holes for water supply. Self-tapping screws or screws can be screwed on top and bottom of the glass, since the heater will be installed with an inclination.

Connect water and test the product.

Pipe heater

This simple scheme allows you to quickly heat water. Due to the ease of connection, the installation area can be of any size. They can be used for heating and household needs.

What you need:

• Pipes made of polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, metal-plastic.
• Beam for the frame (dimensions depending on the installation area).
• Plywood sheet.
• Corners.
• Adapter.
• Tee.
• intake and check valve.
• Drain cock.
• Metal sheet.
• Aluminum profiles.
• Board.
• Glass.
• Sand.
• Waterproofing.
• Base.

Instructions:

• Decide on the installation location – it should be the sunniest.
• Compact the soil with sand and soil. As a basis, you can use paving slabs.
• Using timber and corners, assemble the frame. Reinforce the back with a beam, fixing it longitudinally to the base. Attach plywood to the front. Finish the body by attaching boards with holes for the glass.
• Install glass on the case.
• Fasten metal sheets on top. Paint the surfaces black.
• Arrange the fixtures for the pipes and install them at a distance of 40 mm from each other. Assemble the structure using corners and fittings.
• Make two holes for the water supply, install the tees and connect. Check the system for leaks.

All-season construction

This method is the most technically difficult. However, it allows you to operate the heater both in summer and in winter. As a heat carrier, tubes with a discharged medium are used.

Fluid must circulate from top to bottom:

• Build a metal frame of the required area. You can immediately fix it on the roof with anchor bolts.
• Connect the water line and install the temperature sensor.
• Mount the heater: wrap the copper pipe with an aluminum sheet. Insert the structure into the glass tube. From below, install a cup for fixing and anther.
• Install the metal part of the pipe into the brass condenser.
• Organize the mounting block and connect electricity to it. Install an air vent near the temperature sensor.
• Set the desired parameters and test the design.

From a hose

This is the easiest and most economical way to organize a solar boiler, according to user reviews. Take a pyramid-shaped frame as a basis, or make it from pipes by welding. Lay the hose in circles on the frame. To keep it, put plastic clamps or clips. The fluid must move in such a system under pressure. Cover the top with cling film.

Advantages of the CB installation:

• Efficient operation at full load.
• Full readiness for operation.
• Fast payback on material costs.
• Energy saving.

You can use the classic technique for making a boiler – black plastic barrels. You can install them over the shower or in another convenient place.

Specialist recommendations:

• It is necessary to accurately calculate the load on the product, which should be equal to daily consumption.
• If you are making a device from tanks, provide additional thermal insulation.
• The pipes that lead to the tank should not be too long so that the water enters the tank faster and does not have time to cool.

The manufacture of a solar heater once again confirms that there is energy in the world that you do not have to pay for. Save on fuel and save the environment.