TH> If you are looking for a real world, and cheep, project. Think
  > about a passive solar hot water heater. I made mine from three
  > used hot water heaters, stripped of their insulation, painted
  > ultra-black, and put in a box. I used plastic glazing, which
  > saves about $160 in glass.
FW> Sounds like a great idea!
 
TH> It makes more than enough hot water for our 3,300sq/ft house nine
  > months of the year = over 140-gals, 120 deg+ per day.
FW> Hello Tim,
Hi;
You know, I unsubscribed from this echo over a month ago, and decided
to resubscribe today. And, hell, hear you are! 
Good to hear from you again.
FW> I assume your box is in the order of about 6' x 6'?
The face or aperture is about 5' by 8' (40sq/ft)
FW> Did you mount the box on top of your house horizontally? Or did
  > you cock it a bit toward the sun?
My house has a clearstory wall - you know, the kind that has an upper
dech of windows to well illuminate the inside. The box is irregular to
mount and look nice under the roof 3' overhang. It faces straight on
towards the winter sun and up a few degrees.
This winter hot water production fell off about mid-november and came
back about mid-march. While it is scorching hot back east, it's rather
coolish here in northern california, so I'm seeing only enough hot
(very warm, actually) for about two baths and running the dishwasher
once.
I turned off the gas hot water heater, so when we get periods of rain,
we just live without hot water. What I like to do is control the gas
heater from inside to minimize the inconvenience.
FW> I will appreciate informaton!
Anything you want to know, just ask.
FW> Thanks,
FW> Floyd . . .
... GO-PAT-GO!
 
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