Comments on: My First Solar Water Heater — A 2-Year Review

By: Bob_Wallace

Bob_Wallace — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 16:13:00 +0000

I suppose one could build a solar heater using harmful materials, but I’m not sure what those would be. Even some lead solder (which no plumber would ever use) on copper pipes shouldn’t be a problem with water which isn’t being drunk.

I suppose that if one was using solar heated water for cooking then they might want to have their water checked.

There are millions and millions of solar water heaters in use around the world. Were there any problems we should know about them by now.

By: Raheel Nizam

Raheel Nizam — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 11:06:00 +0000

I there anyone Know, that solar Heater is no harmful for human health ?

By: Rod

Rod — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 17:32:00 +0000

This is an excelent project. Hope that you can manage to get your solar heater working properly, as it will help you to reduce energy bills.

Regards

Rod

http://allaboutthepipes.com/

By: Solardiamond

Solardiamond — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 17:00:00 +0000

I do understand. If I can be of more help, please let me know.
Jim Lindsey

By: cmu

cmu — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 16:05:00 +0000

‘I see no reason to belittle him taking the time to say, “solar water heaters are good,’
This is a post in a supposedly serious website on technical & sustainable issues, and it contains absolutely NO information. It should be ridiculed. Many commentors (including you) have more details than the original, for which thanks.

By: Solardiamond

Solardiamond — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 15:11:00 +0000

Personally I see no reason to belittle him taking the time to say, “solar water heaters are good,” It seems he has a batch heater that holds the heated water on the roof. Unless some provisions have been made to avoid freezing, this would not be ideal in cold climates.
Having installed over 300 SWH’s, I can advise you to purchase a drain back system that uses water as the heat transfer agent. When heat is not available in the collectors, the approximate 6 gallons of, your heat transfer agent, water, safely “drains back” into the tank itself. I prefer using the coil of copper tubing, in the bottom of your water heater, not only as the heat exchanger but as the container of the “transfer” water. This requires only one pump on the entire system.
The main thing to remember is tilting your collectors one-quarter of an inch, that the water will drain back to a safe place.
BTW: PV is the true future of solar; yet, thermal solar, heat to heat transfer, is extremely efficient.
Jim Lindsey http://www.solarplexusco.com

By: S.Nkm

S.Nkm — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 15:25:00 +0000

Your comment’s more informative than this post.

By: SirSparks

SirSparks — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 11:22:00 +0000

I have a very small system I installed myself also 2 years ago. It has just three 2ft x 2ft panels and a 16 gallon storage tank which is plenty for 2 showers a day when mixed with col water (my latitude 28 degrees; Tampa Fl) On a normal day a temperature controller will shut down the circulation to the tank or the temperature would get too high.
I do have a 1 Kw (PV/battery powered) direct flow temperature booster which will raise the temperature a few degrees IF required but I virtually never use it.
I am very happy with mine.

By: Neil Blanchard

Neil Blanchard — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 01:55:00 +0000

I should note that there are similar solar heat systems that also use vacuum tubes around the collectors; but that do not have the water tank enclosed in the header. This is a self-contained system, apparently, but as far as I know, the more common type uses a hot water tank/heater in the basement, or inside the building.

These systems are very efficient, because of the vacuum insulation, and they are in use in many places and by lots and lots of people. China, in particular has thousands of them, and they do indeed pay for themselves quickly.

By: brink

brink — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 00:06:00 +0000

what is your point, payback period should have sufficed on this one. no problems obviously.

By: Steeple

Steeple — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 22:47:00 +0000

Just got back for a tr to Greece and Turkey. These things were everywhere. Nice.

By: Andrew Gebert

Andrew Gebert — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 22:33:00 +0000

Another detail, sir: Your latitude, please.

By: cmu

cmu — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 22:02:00 +0000

I must be dense. You say ‘share my experience with it’ after 2 years, and all I see is a simplistic description of a SWH, and an equally simplistic economic “analysis.”

Where are any details of purchase (brand), actual technology (does it use a pump?) installation issues, size (can I put one on my garage roof,) licencing issues (did your DOB blanch?), maintenance schedule, subsidies available, etc, etc.?

Is there a whole another section missing? My 14-yr old could’ve written this, without ever installing a SWH.