07-14-2008, 06:54 AM
BTW, Polypropylene is approved for potable water and resists UV degredation very well.
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Homemade solar hot water
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07-14-2008, 08:53 AM
I am bringing this comment over from a different thread. Apologies to those who have already read it.
I know people in Eden Rock with solar water heaters whose biggest problem with their system, even in the winter, is getting the water cool enough. Likewise, when we lived in Oregon many people we knew had solar water preheater systems supplemented by demand gas heaters. Even on the foggiest, coldest, darkest days (Oregon in November is pretty damn foggy, cold and dark) their gas heater rarely kicked in. Well insulated storage of the hot water and a good thermostatically controlled mixing system are the key. The Copper Cricket was a great solar hot water heater which is unfortunately no longer on the market. There is a non profit called Aprovecho who developed a super efficient wood cooking system which is easily made with materials readily available in developing countries. They distribute the technology through workshops where they teach people how to build the stoves themselves, the trainees then take that knowledge back to their villages. Many of the beneficiaries are women who used to spend most of their days walking ever longer distances to find wood. Carol
Carol
Every time you feel yourself getting pulled into other people's nonsense, repeat these words: Not my circus, not my monkeys. Polish Proverb
07-14-2008, 12:08 PM
Punamom,
To go back to the origin of the thread, sometimes the most simple thing will give quick relief, and add to a long-term solution. Lots of simple things amount to big impacts, and prepare us for when things get really tough. We have great solar water, but still pay very close attention to its use, especially in cloudy weather. It's not just Helco, but it's also (long-term) water usage. I don't have the statistics at hand (Damon, where are you??), but I bet if you convert those 5 baths to 5 showers, you'll save lots. Not as much fun for kids who love splashing in tubs full of warm water, though. Get low-flow shower heads, enforce the 3-minute rule (get a timer), and you'll get savings. My guess is that one tub of water would deal with several 3-minute showers. still do the solar thing (whatever design works best for you), but you can also look to reasonable modifications of your habits to make significant impacts. Jane
07-14-2008, 05:13 PM
quote: Sorry, don't know much about the topic to be honest with you so I don't really know if there are statistics. There are so many variables between showers and baths. I myself have been known to take long soothing showers and sometimes I wonder if that long shower is more water then a bath. On the other hand, I'm more likely to take the short 5-6 minute shower just to get myself clean and out the door for something. I have read somewhere in the past...and it's obvious if you think about it... that showers are definitely a water saver. I really think we should all be happy here in Puna that we have plenty of Water period. We as people are picky and choose to use water wastefully when many other locations are not as lucky due to the rainfall quantities and the infrastructure of the area. What really irks me... is when I'm the last in the shower and it runs cold on me right in the middle of the shower! [:o)] ------- Rally For the Plan
07-14-2008, 05:23 PM
Just went outside to look at our water heater system. Dang it's cold.
My casual thought to this, is that if people were to take showers mid-day when it's warmer outside... it would take less energy to reheat that water tank. My wife and I still battle to this day over when we should take showers! I like to take a shower in the morning to wake up and refresh myself... she likes to take them before bed to get herself cleaned up. Before I moved back home... we worked two completely different fields of work. I did office work in an a/c office where I felt the need to be clean before going into work. She works for the Dept. of Agriculture and is often getting dirty out in the fields with the farmers. Thus, we had two different shower routines. Anyone have any thoughts on when the best time to take a shower is? Of course this is just a personal opinion for everyone... but there must be some sort of scientific data out there that would tell you when the best time to take a shower is. ------- Rally For the Plan
07-14-2008, 06:02 PM
quote: Saturday [?][?][?] David Ninole Resident
Ninole Resident
07-15-2008, 02:18 AM
qtill
A 12 volt system would require way to many amps to run from a solar panel. 2000-3000 watts. A 220 system uses 30 amp. A 12 volt system would require over 5000 amps ( big big wire ). You need to use the SUN. I have one of the old old satellite dishs, you know 10-16 foot round. Any way they have holes all around them and I am going to run the black plastic pipe around from the center around in circles and hold it in place with the plastic pull ties. I think I can put 200 feet in easy. Point it at the sun at 12:00 and see what happens. I am going to fill a 300 gal. water tank for a hot tub. maybe a outside shower. Use a small pump to move the water. |
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