Are you considering a DIY solar heating system for your home? Excellent. It is absolutely doable. Many people have done this successfully. And some have not been so successful. I believe that those that were not successful, were not well prepared and did not do the required, up-front research and education. I believe that if you check at least the items I have listed below, can follow instructions and ask for help if need be, you can be successful:
- Confirm that your home’s roof will receive sufficient direct sunlight. Solar heating systems require more direct sunlight than PV systems, which can produce electricity with diffuse (indirect) sun light. Check with a solar collector manufacturers and ask them to help you determine if you have sufficient sun light exposure. Or you can purchase the Solar Pathfinder ™ to check the available solar radiation at your home. That way you can test different locations, slopes and orientations. And when you are done with yours, you can help a family member, friend, or neighbor.
- Make sure that your hot water needs are minimized: A solar water heating system for homes is sized to provide about 70% of the home’s hot water needs. No need to spend more money on larger collectors than necessary. Low flow shower heads can help you reduce your hot water needs. Some changes in how long the shower are and rinsing dishes with cold water also help reduce hot water needs. New dishwasher and front-load laundry machines are other ways to reduce hot (and cold) water usage.
- Just like in other areas, it also applies to DIY solar hot water heating systems for homes: An educated consumer is a better consumer. Lots of books and videos are available for you to learn about the does and don’ts of installing a do-it yourself solar heating system kit or the individual components. Check your local community college for a short evening class on the topic. The more you know about how everything needs to be put together and why, the easier it will be to design and install the DIY solar collectors for your home and the required additional parts. For example, what types of solar collectors are best for your particular application? Learn about the difference between flat plate collectors and evacuated tube collectors, so you can ask the right questions when you are ready to buy a solar water heating system for homes kit or the collectors. Investing time and money in your education will save you headaches and lots of money during the installation and afterwards. Should you decide in the end, to forgo the do-it-yourself part and hire an installer, you will be an educated consumer who knows what s/he wants.
- Once you know the required size for your solar water heating system, shop around for the best prices. Depending on your expertise, you might buy the individual parts and put your own system together. Or you might buy a DIY solar heating kit for homes that has all the parts already selected and all you need to do is install them. Once you have the system selected and the cost is known, find out what your tax credit will be.
Now that you have worked your way through the above steps, you should be ready to build and install your own DIY solar water heating system for your home.
