Hey everyone! I'm a regular guy looking into heating water for my home with solar energy. I've done some math and while solar panels for electricity don't seem cost-effective for me, using solar to heat water looks promising. My water boiler uses about 3 kWh daily, costing me $0.25 per kWh. I initially considered using standard solar panels but realized they're designed for electricity. So, I had this idea: could using a copper plate painted black with copper tubes for circulating water be more efficient than regular panels? I was thinking of setting up a system where hot water flows from the panels back to a storage tank using a small electric pump. Would this setup work?
4 Answers
While you can buy pre-made solar hot water heaters, building your own can be both fun and cost-efficient. If you treat the water with something like glycol for anti-freezing, you can connect it safely. However, be aware of the safety aspects; hot water can be dangerous, so having a reliable pressure relief system is key. Also, keep an eye on the current copper prices; they can be quite high these days!
If you're looking for a cost-effective way to create a solar hot water system, using copper pipes is an excellent option! You can build a simple box to hold the copper tubes, soldered in series, with tempered glass on top. Make sure to paint the pipes black to maximize heat absorption. Insulating the box will help retain heat. This setup can effectively preheat your water before it reaches your main heater!
Thanks for the suggestion! I’ll definitely check that out.
Using copper for solar thermal is viable, but it's not cheap. Depending on your budget, it might be worth considering whether it’s easier to just get electric panels. They can directly heat your water without all the complexities of a thermal system. However, I get it; local regulations can complicate things significantly when it comes to solar electricity. If this route seems too complex, stick with thermal and keep it simple!
You bring up a good point! Managing local regulations could be quite a hassle if I went the electric route.
Solar thermal systems are pretty effective, but their efficiency really depends on your design and climate. For optimal results, combining insulation, a collector box, and keeping the heat from escaping is crucial. Using a simple flat setup with black plastic tubes can work, but for better results, consider tubes in a glass enclosure or even vacuum tubes with mirrors to concentrate heat. Just remember to include sensors and a pump that only runs under optimal heat conditions to prevent boiling! Also, you’ll need to ensure safe operation with a pressure relief valve.
Got it! So, maximizing it really depends on where I live and how I build it. Thanks!
And don’t forget, if it's freezing, you'll want to make sure your system can handle that too!
I appreciate the warning! I’ll definitely consider fluid safety and insulation.