DIY Homemade Batch Solar Hot Water Heater

A video describing a batch solar hot water heater I built. The water heater is currently supplying the house as a preheater to the domestic hot water heater. Max water temp observed: 165F.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Solar
• Hot
• Water
• Heater
• IPhone
• Batch
• Green
• Renewable
• Free
• DIY
• Sun
• Bread
• Box
• Thermosyphon

[bscfrnd1]

Where did you get the tank was it from a old water heater?

[KyleBostic]

@bscfrnd1 Yes it is from an old electric water heater.

[KyleBostic]

UPDATE! The solar water heater has been in use a month with no issues. Even though 160 degree water is being made, scalding has not been a issue due to even mixing with the contents of the domestic water heater. Showers have had consistently even heat. It is difficult to track energy savings because of the summer temps increasing AC use. I estimate $15-$20 a month in savings. You need one of these!!

[KyleBostic]

UPDATE! The solar water heater has been in use a month with no issues. Even though 160 degree water is being made, scalding has not been a issue due to even mixing with the contents of the domestic water heater. Showers have had consistently even heat. It is difficult to track energy savings because of the summer temps increasing AC use. I estimate $15-$20 a month in savings. You need one of these!!

[TheOkcHandyman]

Great video!

[chuck1010101]

Kyle: Great video. This is EXACTLY the type batch (breadbox) water heater (or pre heater in the Winter time maybe) and your explanations etc were easy to follow. I have a 25 gallon tank that i FINALLY found, and I'm now ready to start building and see if mine works half as good as yours does. Thanks, Chuck

[VWRabbitdiesel]

Excellent work, Thanks for showing the video.

VW

[cdltpx]

@KyleBostic You are way ahead of many including me I have not built one yet. Your water hitting the tank @ 150 will save you tons of money over time.

You might place some reflectors on there to increase solar gain a friend has a solar water heater that melts pvc pipe he has to use copper. I donot know what temps will melt the pvc hot water piping but that one he has will do it. A lady online built hers from an old hotwater heater and a frigerator and has a wonderful batch water heater.

[KyleBostic]

@cdltpx The size of the box in this case was determined by the size of the sliding glass door used on top.

[KyleBostic]

@cdltpx Thanks. Actually I did slope the sides of the box with the intention of installing mirrors to promote solar gain. However, with the temperature of the box topping 200, the amount of gain from the hot box alone accounts for much of the heating. Think greenhouse. This is promoted with black sides. I considered the fact that a reflective material might actually bounce out some of the solar radiation if the angle was not right. My thoughts exactly on the lightbulb.