How to Install a Solar-Powered Water Heater | This Old House

Harnessing the sun's power with This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and plumbing and heating contractor Bob Dudley. (See below for a shopping list and tools.)

Richard and a local HVAC contractor helped a homeowner reduce his energy costs by installing a solar thermal water heating system. The system includes two solar collectors that are mounted on the roof. Antifreeze is pumped between the roof collectors and a heat exchanger coil inside the water storage tank. The tank also has a gas-fired burner that will heat the water when there is not enough sunlight.

Tools List for Installing a Solar-Powered Water Heater:
Tubing cutter
Roofing spade
Reciprocating saw
Adjustable wrench
Crescent wrench
Pliers
Impact driver
Propane torch

Shopping List:
Solar collector system
Roof shingles
Copper pipe and assorted fittings
Lead-free solder and flux
Emery cloth
Teflon tape

About Ask This Old House TV:
Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers—and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.

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How to Install a Solar-Powered Water Heater | This Old House

[supremelawfirm]

Richard, you always make these projects look SOOOO EZ!! Nice job!

[chowspecial]

Don't forget regardless of your insulation, the fact that this isn't directly heating your roof saves on AC

[davidhatetrain]

ethylene glycol is anti freeze propylene glycol is a plant based lubricant that can be eaten but poses no health threats it also works as a water absorption tool

[paytonlee]

What is the name of the sensor used to monitor the roof temperature in the collector?

[murrys]

The worse part about this video is the reactions of most people going "well it takes years to recoup, so why bother". And that is a huge problem. The more people that convert, the more the costs go down, the more money/gas/electricity is saved, and the better it gets for everyone. A solution doesn't have to solve something right now, and payback also doesn't have to happen right away. Stop planning for the tip of your nose and think about the generations after you.

[rayw]

What about the torn up roof and missing shingles between units?

[ggletsplay]

This is cool but man I am not a fan of cutting holes in any roof.

[ehhhsteve]

This would be great … if I could find anyone to install this in Baltimore!

[marco]

It appears that company doesn't do solar hot water systems any longer, any other recommendations?

[tjam]

Where is this house located? I love the look of the mountains in the background. Utah? Colorado?

[mikebald]

I'm failing to see why they could have used the old gas water heater again for this project instead of replacing it. Given that the old gas water heater should have been thermostatically controlled it should have worked well too. Neat install though and good idea; I've read about these systems in HomePower magazine.

[BlairSteffen]

Can I get a refernce for a company here in Portland Maine who does this? I have a system that needs upgrading

[hmmmisthatright]

How do you know what way the solar panel should face?

[enkryptd]

how much does a system like that cost?

[krazedkathooman]

That is wacked. But I already have a solar system (came with the house) and the tank finally quit. Now I see it is totally piped in wrong. Both to and from collector piped into the bottom of tank. So what was a simple tank swap is now a major repiping. Sigh. I love diy I love diy I love diy.

[CadillacM]

yea just cut holes is the roof, by the time you install this in your home, you need a new roof, and don't forget about all the plumbing too. if it's not broken don't fix it.

[ziggyc]

He knows bunchy guy in Orange overalls

[san]

i assume around 20.000$.including roof replacement  and labor n materials 

[Stevenowski]

I'll stick with my tankless water heater. I never run out of hot water. MORE importantly, my wife never runs out of hot water! 😉

[eastriverequinehospital]

Let's all start doing some basic math and do a quick calculation to reveal that the breakeven point on a project like this is probably 10 to 11 years. And, that's if this unit does not need any maintenance.