|
| We're looking into cutting electricity costs for our 1 story 1700 SF house in Southern California. I did a web search and there are a MULTITUDE of sites claiming you can build your own system for under $200 and save from 30% to 80% off your electric bill. You just need to purchase their "super easy detailed step-by-step" plans for around $40.00.
Is a plan from one of these sites a good purchase?
We were originally thinking of just a solar pool heater and/or hot water heater but the plans say you can furnish your entire household with solar...still under $200.00. Your advice is greatly appreciated. |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
| You can certainly make a DIY solar water heater for your pool for $200 - give or take. It will be simple (and ugly) but you can do it. They will tell you to put together some pipes in a zigzag pattern and put them in a black box with a glass front. Like hot air, hot water rises, so if you put one end of the piping lower than the other, water will circulate and will be heated. They probably will recommend getting a solar powered pump to speed things along. The box will get hot and it will heat water, but you won't have much control over the process. I would not try to make a DIY cheapo heater for your potable water though. If you need a diagram, you probably don't have the plumbing skills you need to be messing with your house. Even if you did, modern solar water heaters aren't just the simple tube designs. They have sensors and pumps and heat exchangers etc that keep the system operating properly. |
|
| Thank you, Bill. There are several sites that say it is easy and simple. My husband is an electrician and I just like to "know" things - not do the actual work.:) I appreciate your detailed response and wish you well! |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Renewable Energy Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.