Learn about solar water heaters, ... Solar thermal systems are fairly simple, but they have pipes and pumps (for active systems), which can fail and take the whole system offline.

Question: With energy shortages and rolling blackouts, I need to do my part and save a few bucks, too. I want to make a simple, low-cost solar water heater. What is the simplest design to build?

Water heating typically accounts for about 20 percent of a family's annual utility bills and a simple solar water heater can contribute up to half of your hot water needs.

Dear Jim: We have teenage daughters who take long showers. Our water heating costs are sky-high. We are on a tight budget, but want to use some solar water heating. Is there a system we can make ou… ...

For about $60 worth of materials, you can make your own water heater, installed on your roof. This project deals with heating a spa, but with some tweaks near the end of the process, you could use ...

A solar water heater can reduce your water heating bills by around 50% to 80%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).Plus, a high-quality solar heater can last for around 20 years ...

This simple solar water heater provides both domestic hot water and space heating. You can adjust the size and design to meet the needs of your home. You’ll find nearly all the materials at your ...

As the panels are effectively still simple solid state with some tubes on the back the one moving part likely to fail is the pump ... or should I spend $1500 on buying a new solar water heater, ...

Today’s topic is heat pump water heaters, a technology that, while simple, offers significant efficiency benefits. Unlike ...

Switch to solar with a system built for you. About 20% of a home’s energy use goes toward water heating, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. If you’re looking to save on energy for ...

In the early 198os, my dad installed a solar thermal panel on our roof in Florida. For a 5-year-old, the big black square looked like a portal into the future. The device, essentially a glass box ...