An Inventive DIY Drainback System

Just looking around for some interesting news regarding solar hot water heaters, and I came across this great article!

Apparently this Chinese farmer is getting hot shower water from this roof of beer bottles and plastic tubing. According to the article, "I invented this for my mother. I wanted her to shower comfortably," says Ma Yanjun, of Qiqiao village, Shanxi province.Ma's invention features 66 beer bottles attached to a board. The bottles are connected to each other [with plastic tubing] so that water flows through them.Sunlight heats the water as is passes slowly through the bottles before flowing into the bathroom as hot water, reports China Economy Network. Ma says, "It provides enough hot water for all three members of his family to have a shower every day. And more than 10 families in the village have already followed suit and installed their own versions of Ma's invention."
*Acticle originally found on Ananova.

What a great idea. However, a do-it-yourself solar water heater is very difficult to do right. A professionally manufactured and installed system will cost more than a few re-used beer bottles and some tubing, but in the long run, they’re less expensive than electric or gas water heaters. And you'll still have peace of mind, because you'll have a warranty!

DSIRE... A Great Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy

Check out this very useful site that's a great comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. DSIRE was established in 1995 and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. It's an ongoing project of the North Carolina Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council.

You ought to take a minute or two and check out the solar incentives in your state for installing a solar hot water system... they're practically giving these things away. Some states with the highest incentives are Louisiana, California, and Washington. Get on board with solar!!

DIY Solar Heating

There are a million and one thoughtful ways to reduce energy consumption in your home by means of solar energy. Although installing a solar water heater is one of the most effective and efficient, you can also cut costs and reduce emissions by utilizing passive solar design.
And to match the million and one great ideas, there's a million and two great web sites out there to get you started. Here's just one that's pretty helpful in establishing the basics of passive solar energy, from DoItYourself.com:

Using the sun to heat your home through passive solar design can be both environmentally friendly and cost effective. In many cases, you can cut your heating costs by more than 50% compared to the cost of heating the same house that does not include passive solar design.

Passive solar design techniques include placing larger, insulated windows on south-facing walls and locating thermal mass, such as a concrete slab floor or a heat-absorbing wall, close to the windows. However, a passive solar house requires careful design, best done by an architect for new construction or major remodeling.

Solar Tips

■Keep all south-facing glass clean.

■Make sure that objects do not block the sunlight shining on concrete slab floors or heat-absorbing walls.

■Consider using insulating curtains to reduce excessive heat loss from large windows at night.

Read more: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/solar#ixzz0kSSmi5oC