The Trouble with Electric Water Heaters
Working in my yard the other day, I happened to notice that my power meter was about to cross the 2,000 mark. That’s two thousand kilowatt hours – or roughly $200 of electricity. It’s the amount it takes to drive a Tesla Model S from Los Angeles to New York and back, or dry 570 loads of laundry in an electric clothes dryer, or run a modern laptop computer continuously for 11 years.
Yet, I installed that power meter back in November 2013, and I’m writing this over 15 months later. Somehow, even accounting for all the power used to build this house and live in it since then – with all my welders, power saws, wife, kid, computers, audio systems, lights, and appliances – we’ve averaged about 80% less than the average household.
The secret? It starts with understanding where all that electricity goes. And one of the biggest culprits? The old-fashioned electric water heater.
As Mr. Money Mustache puts it, “If you’re stuck with an electric water heater, your electricity bill will exceed mine just in the process of taking showers and doing dishes.” That’s because those electric water heaters are essentially just giant kettles, constantly burning kilowatts to keep a huge tank of water piping hot 24/7.
In my case, that old electric water heater was costing me around $40 per month, or $480 per year, just to operate. And let’s not forget the wasted energy spent heating the air around the tank, making my home’s heating system work harder. It was time for a change.
A DIY Solar Water Heater to the Rescue
Faced with this electricity-guzzling behemoth, I knew I had to find a better solution. And that’s when I stumbled upon the idea of a DIY solar water heater. This ingenious setup uses the power of the sun to heat your water, dramatically reducing your reliance on grid electricity.
The basic premise is simple: Instead of using an electric or gas-powered water heater, you install a series of solar thermal collectors on your roof. These collectors absorb the sun’s heat and transfer it to the water flowing through them, heating it up before it reaches your home’s hot water tank.
Now, I know what you might be thinking – solar water heaters sound expensive and complicated, right? Well, let me tell you, that’s not necessarily the case. With a little elbow grease and some basic DIY skills, you can build a highly effective solar water heater for a fraction of the cost of a professional installation.
Homemade Heating: The DIY Solar Water Heater
The key to a successful DIY solar water heater lies in the design and construction. At its core, you’ll need three main components:
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Solar Thermal Collectors: These are the panels that absorb the sun’s heat and transfer it to the water. They can be made from simple materials like copper pipes, aluminum sheets, and insulation.
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Storage Tank: This is where the heated water is stored for later use. You can repurpose an old water heater tank or build your own insulated container.
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Circulation System: To move the water between the collectors and the storage tank, you’ll need a small pump and some plumbing.
The DIY Solar Forum has a great thread that walks you through the step-by-step process of building a simple solar water heater. The basic steps involve:
- Constructing the solar collectors using copper pipes and aluminum sheets.
- Insulating the collectors and storage tank to minimize heat loss.
- Plumbing the system together with a small circulation pump.
- Adding a backup heating element to the storage tank for cloudy days.
The great thing about this DIY approach is that you can customize the system to fit your specific needs and budget. Want to go all-out with a complex, high-efficiency setup? No problem. Or maybe you just want a basic system to supplement your existing water heater? That works too.
Crunching the Numbers
Now, you’re probably wondering, “But how much does all this cost, and how much can I really save?” Let’s take a look at the numbers.
| Component | Cost |
|---|---|
| Solar Thermal Collectors (materials) | $200 – $500 |
| Storage Tank (repurposed or new) | $50 – $300 |
| Circulation Pump and Plumbing | $50 – $200 |
| Insulation and Miscellaneous | $50 – $150 |
| Total DIY Cost | $350 – $1,150 |
Compare that to the cost of a professionally installed solar water heater system, which can range from $5,000 to $10,000 or more. By doing it yourself, you’re looking at savings of 65% to 90% off the total cost.
But the real savings come in the long run. According to Green Building Advisor, a typical DIY solar water heater can provide 50% to 80% of a household’s hot water needs, potentially saving you $200 to $500 per year on your electric or gas bills.
That means your DIY system could pay for itself in as little as 1-3 years, after which you’ll be enjoying free hot water for the rest of its 20+ year lifespan. Not bad, eh?
Overcoming the Challenges
Of course, no DIY project is without its challenges. Building a solar water heater does require some plumbing and electrical know-how, as well as a bit of trial and error. But with a little perseverance and the right resources, you can absolutely pull it off.
One of the biggest hurdles I faced was figuring out the optimal sizing and configuration for my system. How many solar collectors do I need? What’s the best way to integrate it with my existing water heater? Luckily, the team at Solar A Systems was able to provide some invaluable guidance, helping me design a setup that perfectly matched my home’s hot water needs.
Another challenge was dealing with the occasional cloudy day or extended period of poor weather. To overcome this, I installed a small backup heating element in the storage tank, which kicks in automatically when the sun isn’t doing its job. This ensures I always have hot water on tap, no matter the weather.
The Joys of DIY Solar
As with any DIY project, there’s a real sense of accomplishment that comes from building your own solar water heater. But the best part? Watching my electric bill plummet month after month.
What used to be a $40 charge has now dwindled to just $10 or $15. And that’s not even the full story – by eliminating the need to heat water with electricity, I’ve also seen a significant drop in my overall energy consumption. It’s a double-whammy of savings that just keeps on giving.
Of course, the environmental benefits are also immensely satisfying. As Mr. Money Mustache says, “If everybody ran their house and business like this, we could shut down most of our coal power plants and 38% of the nation’s CO2 emissions almost overnight.”
So if you’re looking to slash your energy costs and do your part for the planet, I highly recommend considering a DIY solar water heater. It’s a project that pays dividends for years to come, both financially and environmentally. And who knows – you might even discover a newfound love for plumbing and solar power in the process. Happy building!
