Looking for solar hot water

[oink]

Sounds like it!

Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.

[OpenD]

First, anyone who has a rainwater catchment system should get the CTAHR Manual, free online or pickup a free hardcopy at their Hilo office.

http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/RM-12.pdf

A LOT of the word-of-mouth info on catchment systems is wrong, but this manual has the straight scoop. The author is one of the foremost experts in the world, and she lives in Hilo.

For example, 10 micron or 5 micron filters remove small dirt particles, but not disease causing microorganisms. Taking showers in water filtered only to this level can expose you to infection through microscopic skin cuts. Water needs to be filtered to absolute 1 micron level and treated with chlorine or UV to be safe. And there are .5 micron ceramic filters available now which claim to make drinking water safe with further sterilization, which have been successfully used in disaster relief efforts. I'll see if I can dig up a reference.

Rainwater is not distilled water, no. As a matter of fact, depending on vog activity it can contain dissolved sulfur and be as acid as tomato juice. Therefore it needs to be buffered to neutralize its pH. It does seem to leach out minerals from the body according to local physicians, who say they see a lot of mineral deficiencies among Hawai'i residents who use catchment water. One of my neighbors just had to go on mineral supplements for that very reason.

Get the manual or download it. It's full of good information.

[dmbwest]

Back to Solar hot water ... Paint it black and plumb on sunny side. Build 'greenhouse' around it if want even more hot and pau. Really don't have to peel shell unless wanting beyond hot IMO.

Viola', free hot water.

This is what we have done and only have to turn it on / fire it up for multiple guests.

aloha,
pog