video Cheap and Easy Passive Solar Water Heater for your Home. ($300)
Heat your water for free with a solar water heater. This $300 DIY solar water heater system even includes an electric backup water heater for cloudy days. It heats water to 135F (55C) on sunny days in a 80 gallon (310 liter) tank - and there are no moving parts - it relies in a thermosyphon to circulate the water.
http://www.myfixlog.com/fix.php?fid=1
This heater uses PVC instead of copper. PVC has a much lower thermal conductivity than PVC does, however there are a few ways to over come this weakness.
One way to I increased the efficiency was to use old florescent light bulbs as sleeves over the PVC pipe to act as a double glazing. This helps insulate the PVC and increases the efficiency of the heater. I also insulated the PVC connections to help shield them from the intense heat of sunlight.
The other way I increased efficient was increasing the surface area. Since PVC is cheap it did not cost much to run more pipes that would be exposed to the sun.
I also installed an automatic electric backup heater for $30. It is a bucket heater that turns on at 80 degrees and off at 110. Click on the link above to see more about that.
http://www.myfixlog.com/fix.php?fid=1
This heater uses PVC instead of copper. PVC has a much lower thermal conductivity than PVC does, however there are a few ways to over come this weakness.
One way to I increased the efficiency was to use old florescent light bulbs as sleeves over the PVC pipe to act as a double glazing. This helps insulate the PVC and increases the efficiency of the heater. I also insulated the PVC connections to help shield them from the intense heat of sunlight.
The other way I increased efficient was increasing the surface area. Since PVC is cheap it did not cost much to run more pipes that would be exposed to the sun.
I also installed an automatic electric backup heater for $30. It is a bucket heater that turns on at 80 degrees and off at 110. Click on the link above to see more about that.
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I would cover the tubes with a black tarp and let the UV destroy that, instead of the pipes. then all is good.
I am concerned with what you did with the "dust" you removed from those fluorescent bulbs.
That dust contains Mercury.
You do not want to breath it when you clean out the bulbs, AND you want to dispose of it PROPERLY.
This may make it more difficult, but you, the water you drink, and the air you breathe will thank you for it.
the "dust" in the glass tubes is toxic as it has mercury in it. you and the readers should know that if they don't already.