How to Make a $5 Solar Powered Water Heater From Junk Fridge
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By on February 17th, 2009 |
I mentioned in an article last summer that most of Israelis have solar water heaters on their rooftops, and thus they save a lot of energy during the summer. In fact, the idea of heating the water in a boiler is not new, I had more than a dozen times showers in my grandparents’ backyard, during some hot summer days in my childhood.
One simple way of making hot water has been perfected by a blogger on , and it relies on a simple and easy to find piece of junk: an old refrigerator!
Other components are: wood, for making a frame, glass (not plexiglass), hoses, a rubber door mat, a reflexive aluminum foil, scotch tape and glue, or silicon. Eventually, you’re going to need some screws.
Because it’s black, the refrigerator radiator heats faster than other materials. This also happens because of its tightness. The inventors who made this “instant” water heater want to make another one, that transports the water by thermoconvection and recycle it, until it reaches the desired temperature.
The entire project costs less than $5 and can save you of a lot of electricity, reflected on your bill.
It’s easy to do. You may go to their site or watch the gallery below, because it’s self-explanatory:
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Related stories you may find interesting:
 A Soda Can Powered Solar Garage Heater |
 Solar Powered Inflatable Heater |
 Israel – the World Leader in Solar Powered Water Heating |
 Stephen White’s Solar Powered Air Conditioning System |
Feb 18th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
I believe, that a big barrel with a water on the sun (on the roof) – after the hot day – can make more hot water then this
Feb 18th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
First of all, you need efficiency in heating the water. What greater efficiency can you have than that of a thin, black pipe? The hot water in the barrel gets hot after a few hours (I know that from experience), but this kind of setup heats it almost instantly. For example, leave a hose (not a black one) in the sun for 2 minutes. I guarantee you won’t want to bathe in that hot water from it!
Sep 10th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
please do not use refrigerator parts: when you cut the tubing the refrigerant (freon) will be released into our atmosphere causing global warming…
Dec 3rd, 2009 at 5:32 pm
the sun causes global warming………not freon…..