Mindzle

Posts Tagged ‘off grid solar’

Do you want to heat your pool with solar panels? You can!  Solar panels for heating water are not as expensive as you might believe. For around 0 and about a weekends worth of time, you could even create them yourself. The biggest advantage is that once you have paid for the cost of installation, you won’t have anymore fuel expense.

Try Building Solar Energy on The Pool First!

Before you decide to use solar panels for your pool, there are some key points to take into account. First, will your solar panel system be exposed to ample sunlight during the day? These types of solar panels are passive systems. They normally consist of plastic, water-filled coils encased in shatter-resistant glass. As water fills the coils, it gets heated by the sun, then pumped into the pool.

If your property is covered with tall trees that cover your house and yard, it may not get ample sunlight for a passive pool heater. However, a clear south- or west-facing rooftop would be an ideal location for solar panels to get full access to sunlight.

Building Solar Power is Much More Simple

Next, how much difference is there between the outside air and the temperature you want your pool to be? For example, if you’re wanting to heat your outdoor pool in Michigan to 78 degrees in freezing weather, you’ll want to stick with a pool cover and a heavy-duty gas heater. On the other hand, if you want to heat your outdoor pool in Florida to 80 degrees in 50-degree weather, then a solar heating system would be ideal.

Even though you have your new solar heater installed and working, you’ll want to use a solar cover or blanket for times when the outside air is below your pool’s water temperature. Whenever you see steam rising from the pool, it’s best to use the pool cover to keep the heat in. That way, the heat will stay in the water and not disperse into the air.

Watch This Short Clip and Learn The Simplicity of Building Solar Panel Cells

Here’s a word of caution if you’re just becoming familiar with solar heating systems. Some people think they may be able to save even more money by using their pool’s solar heater to heat water for their house. Sorry, but the two systems don’t mix well. Your pool water is going to contain chlorine and muriatic acid. It’s okay to swim in it and even swallow some, but it would be unwise to combine it with your home’s water system. Installing a solar water heating system for your home is an entirely separate project.

Now you may not be going for a true off grid solar experience. You know the one where there are no line coming into or going out of the house. This includes sewer, electricity, and cable along with anything else you can think. While it is very possible it may not be very doable depending where you live. However partial off the grid living is easier to do and is still very helpful to the environment.

Deciding to go partially or fully off of the grid does not mean that you will lose any or even some of the basics that you love so much. For example you wont have to go without bathing, or clean clothes. Depending where you are might mean that you CAN go hunting to feed yourself but you will be no means have to. Remember off the grid does not mean living in a cave it is just more eco friendly and self sustaining. That is about it.

When I talk about the off grid solar power, specifically in this article, I want you to think of the electric grid that powers the USA and of course your own home. When you go off the grid you will still be connected to the power grid you will just be using less power, maybe a lot less, than you currently consume. How would you do this? With alternative energy sources of course!

Solar and wind are some of the easiest do it yourself alternative energy sources that are inexpensive and can help reduce the cost of being on the grid. Using solar panels and wind turbines is the easiest route, currently, to harness this free energy. Sometimes just a small addition can run your refrigerator or your whole house depending on the size of your project.

You do not have to turn yourself into a caveman in order for you to go off the grid, it is as easy as some simple DYI projects and reducing your energy needs and cost that way.