ADDING CHEAP SOLAR POWER TO YOUR HOME

(Page 3 of 3)

June/July 1994
 
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The batch heater needs to be drained at the first sign of a severe frost and refilled in the spring when all danger of frost has passed. This heater little maintenance — every two years add a fresh coat of paint and check the sacrificial rod that is placed in the tank to reduce corrosion.

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A batch heater is an excellent choice for a water-heating system. It's inexpensive and takes a moderate amount of experience with carpentry and plumbing to build. It will pay for itself very quickly, especially if it is combined with the hot water conservation measures. The batch heater is flexible — if you have a sunny wall, you can build a freestanding version.

Some commercial solar water heaters are based on this design. By using advanced materials, they do not freeze in the winter and can be used year round.

Construction of a batch heater, including $50 for energy conservation measures on your existing hot water system, will cost between $500 and $ 1,000. A batch heater can cut your hot water bill by half when it operates, or up to 1200 kWh per year.

Variations

The batch heater can be oriented in a north-south direction or it can also stretch in an east-west direction. Purchased versions of this design use several layers of glazing and operate year round

Advantages

This hot-water system is the cheapest and simplest to build. For the cost it puts out a good amount of hot water. Disadvantages The total hot water production is lower than some other systems because the batch heater is not used all year.

What It Costs to Run Electrical Appliances

Unless indicated, costs are measured per hour. Estimated electricity rated 14.7¢ per kwh

Adapted from The Fuel Savers (Morning Sun Press, 1992) by Bruce N. Anderson. Copyright © 1992 by Bruce N. Anderson

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