Solar How To: Constructing a Water Heating Panel Part I

The price of gasoline and home heating oil is unpredictable at best. Many people will struggle through the cold winter months, unable to pay the high costs of heating their homes. Fewer people will be able to enjoy vacations this year, as they will be left with debt from the price they paid just to be able to keep their families warm. However, there are alternative fuel sources that could help reduce the price of home heating and save the homeowner or renter money in the long run.

Solar power is an excellent example of a type of alternative power source that will virtually pay for itself. Home heating affects not only the temperature of the home, but the heating of water as well. Homeowners can save themselves money on the cost of heating their home's water supply by installing a solar water heating panel.

The initial cost of installing water heating solar panels can be pricey. Given enough time, the panels could be the only power source a home utilizes to heat its water supply. Best of all, the sun's natural energy is both bountiful and free of charge.

Since initial solar power start-up can be expensive, there are ways a homeowner or renter could offset their fiscal fears. By engaging in a do-it-yourself approach to solar power, a homeowner could build a solar water heating panel for roughly one-third the cost of a purchased panel. Materials can be easily purchased through home improvement stores or the Internet. A solar water heating panel can be constructed in just one weekend.

The average life expectancy of a do-it yourself solar water heating panel is 20 years. The homeowner or renter should inspect the solar panel occasionally for cracks in the glass or warping of the wood frame. Best of all, dirt and other light debris will not affect the ability of the glass sheeting to capture the sun's energy. This makes solar water heating panels both economical and trustworthy.

The first step in constructing a solar water heating panel is to purchase the correct materials and tools. There are no solar panel-specific tools needed to complete this project. The average homeowner will probably own all of the tools needed to construct a solar panel and have to purchase only the materials.

The tools needed to construct a solar water heating panel are: a hacksaw and wood saw, hammer and nails, drill with different size bits, screw driver and screws, paintbrush and stir stick, file and, most importantly, a tape measure.

The following materials are needed to construct a solar water heating panel: 10 millimeter annealed copper tube, 16 swg (standard wire gauge) aluminum sheet, 4 millimeter thick glass sheet, matte black spray paint, wood preservative or varnish, fiber glass wool, plywood and wood to construct the frame. These materials can be purchased at home improvement stores, through mail-order catalogs, or on the Internet. A plumbing supply shop is also a good bet for deals on copper tubing and other materials.

A homeowner or renter also needs to decide the number of panels that should be constructed for their home. A single solar water heating panel, on average, heats a 15 gallon tank. Two panels heat 30 to 35 gallons of water. Three panels would heat 35 to 50 gallons, and four panels can heat between 50 and 70 gallons of water. The average family of four requires between 35 and 50 gallons of hot water, or three panels. Materials should be purchased, and panels constructed, based on the needs of the homeowner.

Step by step video tutorials for your next solar project. Building a Solar water heater is inexpensive. Solar heater building tips at www.websolarsearch.com

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