| The sun has warmed and provided the earth with | | | | economical when used to replace expensive |
| energy for over a billion years. Energy from the | | | | heating methods such as oil, electricity and |
| sun is basically solar radiation hitting the earth. By | | | | gas.The cost of a homemade hot water system |
| harnessing the power of these rays with a DIY | | | | will vary. But I recommend that you budget for |
| sun panel or water heater it is possible to | | | | around $8 per square foot of collector area. The |
| generate energy in the form of electricity and hot | | | | overall costs will ultimately depend on the size of |
| water. | | | | your roof. |
| There are two types of solar power water | | | | Heating your home during winter using DIY solar |
| heating systems. These are liquid or air contained | | | | panels will significantly decrease you reliance on |
| in solar collectors (a collector is basically a system | | | | the national grid. The added advantage of using |
| in which a fluid is heated by sunlight) which are | | | | homemade sun energy is that the amount of |
| heated directly by the sun. | | | | pollution created by your home decreases as well. |
| Both DIY water heating systems work by | | | | There are plenty of solar hot water system |
| collecting and absorbing the heat radiation created | | | | guides and plans available. Some good and some |
| by the sun. The heat of the sun is transferred | | | | really awful. Make sure the website you order |
| directly to the solar power storage system. | | | | from is reputable before giving your credit card |
| DIY solar hot water systems are very | | | | details. |