How To Build A DIY Evacuated Tube Solar Water Heater

Want to learn how to make a DIY evacuated tube solar water heater? You’ll not only save electricity with a solar water heater but also reduce your carbon footprint as solar energy is carbon neutral.

Solar water heaters have been around for hundreds of years and the first patent for a commercial solar water heater was issued in 1891.

Learning how to build a solar water heater is not difficult given that there are lots of solar water heater plans available online. The key is to find a DIY solar water heater kit that works for you.

Solar water heating is a process that involves the conversion of sunlight into heat, which is then used to heat water using a solar thermal collector. Solar hot water systems are capable of produce clean, non-polluting, renewable energy.

A single hot water system can offset the equivalent of approximately 40% of the CO2 emissions of a modern passenger car. That means a solar water heater is safe for the environment, safe for plants, safe for animals and safe for all of us.

If you’re looking for a way to make your own solar water heater so you can reduce your energy bills, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, you’ll learn about solar hot water heating systems for homes and learn how to build your own residential solar water heater using a DIY solar hot water heater system.

Solar Hot Water Diagram
Image by Energy2014 – Own work, CC BY 3.0

What is an Evacuated Tube Solar Water Heater?

The evacuated tube solar water heater (also called a vacuum tube solar water heater or batch solar water heater) is the most popular solar collector in the world because it performs well even in cloudy and cold conditions.

The evacuated tube solar water heater outperforms other collectors under less than ideal conditions, giving you more consistent year-round heat.

Evacuated tube collectors (ETC) are a way to reduce heat loss. The water piped into a batch solar water heater is surrounded by two concentric tubes of glass separated by a vacuum. This lets in heat from the sun to heat the pipe, but limits heat loss, thereby increasing its efficiency.

The vacuum life in this solar-powered hot water heater can vary from 5 years to 15 years depending on the collector.

The only downside is that the evacuated tube solar water heater is made out of annealed glass, which is susceptible to hail.

But, as far as solar hot water systems go, this passive solar water heater is one of the best solar water heaters in terms of design.

Because of their tubular shape, an evacuated tube solar water heater can gather energy from the sun all day long at low angles and is more useful than other solar collectors during winter when the sun is low in the sky.

An evacuated tube solar water heater can operate at a range of temperatures from medium to high and can be used for solar hot waters, solar pool heaters, air-conditioning and solar cookers.

Evacuated tube collector
Image by Mmz.alonso – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

DIY Solar Water Heater

A solar water heater poses no threat to the operation of your existing water heater. In fact, installing a solar water heating system can prolong the life of your conventional water heater.

In this video, you’ll learn all the solar water heater information you need to build, install and use your own evacuated tube solar water heater and reduce your electricity bill.

When used in addition to your existing water heater, a solar water heater tank reduces the need to artificially heat water. By following the step-by-step instructions in this video, you’ll be able to build and install your own DIY evacuated tube solar water heater.

All the raw materials for your DIY solar water heating kit cost less than $70 and are easy to find at your local hardware store. Making a solar water heater has never been this easy with these detailed solar hot water heater plans.

Of course, you can always get an evacuated tube solar water heater for sale online, but for some people, this solar hot water system cost can be prohibitive.

When you follow the step-by-step instructions in this DIY Solar Water Heater video, you’ll be able to build your own homemade solar collector and install your solar water heating system for home use.

So, if you’re looking for a way to reduce your energy bills and create your very own solar hot water heater, watch the DIY Solar Water Heater video above.

Evacuated tube diagram
Public Domain Image

In an age where man-made climate change is becoming a reality, solar energy systems can save you money and reduce your carbon footprint.

There are many solar hot water heaters for sale online, but building your own solar hot water system is the perfect project for your off-grid home.

Why buy a solar water heater when you can make your own solar-powered water heater and forget about solar water heater prices and costs.

The DIY Solar Water Heater video above will show you how to assemble your solar hot water system and set up your very own evacuated tube solar water heater.

DIY Solar Water Heater

2 thoughts on “How To Build A DIY Evacuated Tube Solar Water Heater”

  1. Is there an updated link to this book by Tom Hayden? All the links in this article circle back to this article and a google search for the book does not turn up anything of use.

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