solar heat tubes

solar heat tubes

Making DIY solar heating panels can be pretty simple, as long as you prepare the materials you need for the project. Anyone with average handyman skills should be able to easily complete the task, and special tools are not required.

All you need, in terms of equipment, are:

• a wood saw
• a hacksaw
• a drill
• a screwdriver
• a hammer
• screws
• nails
• a file
• a paintbrush
• a tape measure

Materials you need to procure include the following:

• a 10mm annealed copper tube
• a 16swg aluminum sheet
• glass fiber wool
• a marine-ply sheet
• 4mm glass
• timber for the frame

The copper tubes will be used to bring the water through the collector area. Copper has high thermal conductivity which makes it perfect for the job. It's available in most plumbers' shops, and comes in 20m, 25m, and 30m coils.

Once you've assembled the copper tubing, you'll need to attach it to the blackened absorber plate. It will collect the heat of the sun and transfer it to the copper tubing. It is recommended to use aluminum as an absorber plate because it is cheaper than copper sheets and it is more readily available in most locations.

The absorber plate will be encased in a wooden frame. It is made out of hardwood with a marine-ply backing sheet. If you want the frame to last longer, a preservative coating should be applied to it. This will add a couple of years of service.

The last part of the DIY solar heating panel is the transparent cover. This will prevent heat loss especially during cool weather. Glass is preferable because of its high light-transmission value. If you can't afford a float glass, acrylic sheeting is a suitable substitute. The bad side of using acrylic sheeting is that it is prone to scratching and discoloration.

The efficiency of DIY solar heating panels might not be as good as the efficiency of commercially available ones, but they can get good results. And think of the savings you'll get when you make one. A DIY solar heating panel costs a third the price of a commercial one. Not only that but you'll be cutting down your energy bill as well if you use it. If constructed right, the panel has a life expectancy of twenty years. There are no moving parts involved, and no maintenance should be required the panel.

Constructing DIY solar heating panels is not complicated and is one of the easier DIY solar power projects. This is one project that you should definitely try if you are interested in setting up DIY solar power equipment or systems. You can use the panel to heat your pool, or to supply your home with hot water.

Anna Williams helps others understand solar power, how it works, and how they can use it in their day-to-day lives to create a cleaner environment, save money, and have access to electricity no matter where they are.

Visit Anna's website, Solar Power Products & Information, to learn more about solar energy and how it can help you.

To learn more about Do-it-Yourself solar power projects you can try at home, visit her blog on DIY Solar Power.

Solar heating - evacuated tube installation