Do It Yourself (DIY) Projects For Homeowners
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Projects that are featured here are picked especially for do it yourselfers who are interested in small or starter projects for getting their feet wet in the pursuit of alternative energy sources like solar power or wind power or bio-fuels.
FEATURED PROJECT: Solar Water Heater
A solar water heater is the perfect starter project because it does not take years to recoup the costs. It is also a small project that can introduce the homeonwer to the benefits of solar energy. Rebates and tax breaks takes the sting out of the high cost. The federal credit is open to everyone. State and utility rebates, however, vary. A Passive Solar Hot Water System is affordable for warm climates and runs about $1,500. An Active Solar Hot Water System reduces heat loss and runs about $3,600. An Indirect Solar Hot Water System is the most efficient but also most expensive and run around a whopping $10,000!
On average, if you install a solar water heater, your water heating bills should drop 50%–80%. Also, because the sun is free, you're protected from future fuel shortages and price hikes.
Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credits
The recently passed Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-343) included, extended and/or amended many consumer tax incentives originally introduced in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT).
Consumers who install solar electric systems can receive a 30% tax credit for systems placed in service from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2016; the previous tax credit cap of $2,000 no longer applies. In addition, consumers who install small wind systems can receive a tax credit up to $4,000. Geothermal heat pumps also qualify for tax credits up to $2,000.
Solar Water Heater Backgrounder
Although solar hot-water systems vary widely in design and complexity, they share some basics. The sun heats the water or another liquid capable of transferring heat, in a solar collector. Specialized materials called selective coatings (black chrome, black nickel, and aluminum oxide combined with nickel or titanium nitride oxide) are made to absorb available solar radiation. Once the water is hot, it is moved either to a storage tank or is piped directly to where it's needed without the water cooling down too much or freezing.
In general, systems are either active or passive, meaning they operate with or without electric pumps. They also can be direct (open loop) or indirect (closed loop), which means the collectors heat the water that's used in the house or, alternatively, heat a nonfreezing transfer medium that in turn heats potable water in a heat exchanger. In virtually all cases, solar-heated water is routed through a conventional water heater, where it gets a temperature boost before being distributed to its point of use.
See Solar Water Heater Basics for more information.
Build It Yourself Solar Water Heater Construction Guides
There are currently two very comprehensive how-to guides on the market with detailed step-by-step instructions on how to build your own solar water heater for about $200. You can also purchase pre-built systems online starting at $1,500.
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DIY Hot Water
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DIY Solar Water Heater
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Get started on your solar water heater for just $37 - an incredible offer when you consider how much you are going to save off your power bill monthly! The hot water system itself will cost about $200 and you will make this investment back in no time. Compare that to a $1,500 + prefabricated system!
The DIY Hot Water guide is a 70 page manual in PDF format that is going to help you build a professional solar hot water system that will reduce your power bill and help the environment.
Visit DIY Hot Water...
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With this guide, you can easily build your own solar water heater and save up to 33% off your electric bill every month while helping the environment.
Their easy step by step guide will show you several different plans to build your very own solar water heater system. These plans are easy enough for anyone to follow and will give you the option of how you would like to set up and install your water heater. You can build an entire system for less than $200.
This DIY Solar Water Heater guide includes over 90 pages of detailed instructions that are very easy to follow. There are several different plans for building your own solar water heater.
Visit DIY Solar Water Heater...
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Pre-Built Solar Water Heaters
Heliodyne Warm Climate Packaged System
The Heliodyne Warm Climate packaged system is an excellent choice for regions where freezing or water quality is not a major concern. In this open loop design, water is circulated directly from the solar collectors to the storage tank. Our warm climate packages are built efficiently and economically, offering you an affordable alternative when it comes to solar water heating.
Heliodyne products are built with the finest materials for high heat-transfer rates, increased efficiency, durability, and extended lifetime energy production. In fact, there are thousands of Heliodyne systems still running smoothly that were installed in the late 1970’s – a true testament to their quality and lifespan. Also contributing to the overall quality of Heliodyne complete packages is the simplicity and ease of installation.
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