Question by joe friday’s grrl: Can I create a cheap but effective solar hot water heater for bathing using my south-facing bathroom window?
I moved into an older brick bungalow recently. We have just one bathroom, with a south-facing window (original glass) that’s about 2-1/2′ wide by 3-1/2′. The window is above the toilet, which sits right next to the soaking tub. I’ve never attempted to construct anything more complex than a small cardboard box solar cooker, and I don’t have much to spend on this project. But I’d like to try and construct a simple, insulated collector/holding tank in the window, which can extend beyond the window area itself in all directions only a couple of feet. But I do also have a wide linen closet on the other side of the toliet that has extra space for storage, if needed. I just want to heat enough water for daily bathing for a family of three. It could be as rudimentary as something I fill with water from a hose, and then have a way for it to flow down into the tub once heated. Any ideas, or is this something I need a more high-tech solution or more space for?
Best answer:
Answer by navarress
Why would u need to heat hot water?
What do you think? Answer below!
January 15th, 2012 @ 10:37 pm
That is not going to work. Maybe if it was a single person that likes short, and relatively cool showers. But as far as solar water heaters go, you need a large surface area, usually an entire south-facing roof.
January 15th, 2012 @ 10:47 pm
buy a 2 panel solar thermal system and be done with it. you get tax credits and a much more efficient system (95%). go to appalachianenergy.com. we have 60 systems ready to ship as i type.