We got our electric bill last month, $569.00, and it really made me start tinking about how we use our energy. Its not that we cant afford it, its that we dont want to, nor do we want to needlessly waste our resources. Hay, im the guy that you see walking into 7-11 and stops to pick up a penny in the parking lot. I just hate to see things go to waste. Im not a junk collector though but I have dived a few dumpsters I must admit.
Any how, we began to look at how were using our energy and started to make some changes. First thing we did was adjust our air conditioner settings. We went from a cool 69-70 most of the time to a comfortable 82 during the day and 74 at night. We got a couple of fans to help. The sad thing about that was that when we were keeping it at 69-70 during the day, we either weren’t home or were outside most of the time. What a waste!
Next, when Im not in a room, I turn off the light. Makes sense to me. And you know, the really cool thing about that is every time I turn off a light I get that same energized feeling I get when I stop to pick up a penny in the parking lot. Im making money here. How cool is that!
Now my wheels are really turning. With all that sun out here in southern Mississippi, why not take advantage of it. Lets go Solar I say. I do some research and start where Im at. Do what I can do. I got an old water heater that was just going to waste and striped it down. Gave it some prep and paint. Built a box for it. Insulated it and put reflective material in the box to intensify the sun. Put a glass top on it and hooked her up to the house. No, I didn’t name her, not yet anyway. Pictures are more fun sometimes than a bunch of words so here you go. Oh, one more thing; did you know that the average family spends almost $700 dollars on hot water a year. Thats 70,000 pennies!! Our energy rate here right now is 11 cents per KWH. Ok lets take a look.
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- allways wondered what was in one of those
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- got her sand blasted
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- got her sand blasted
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- all painted up and no where to go – yet!
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- built a box ~ woo hoo
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- Nice box
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- Mirror mirror in the box whoes the hotest of them all?
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- yeah Babe
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- it says $700 average per year to operate. $4.78 is just the first hour of use
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- dug a ditch and hooked er up
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- Now were talking!!
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- Aint she pretty
Keep comin back. Were not done with this project just yet. We are going to run another colector up on the roof of our house. It’s going to be made out of copper tubbing and will have a solar powered pump that circulates the water in the tank to get it even hotter. Right now the water that comes out is about 140°F. We need the circulator because we are going to add a couple more tanks and use the hot water to heat our grow room with radient heat this winter. Yeah!
One more thing – the total cost of this project was only $113.00
Go Green – Stay Green!
August 8, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Looks Great!! Solar hot water is pretty easy to do at home and as you pointed out it will save lots on your electric bills. This is a really good example of how to “Go Green” on a budget. Best of luck with your new water heater.