Gary wrote:
Robert Gammon wrote:
Gary wrote:

Robert Gammon wrote:

...

As interesting as Nick's ideas are, I don't think that you want to
build a home brew solar hot water heater.


Why not?


Not in a house that you are in for only a couple of years, i.e. rent
or lease. Installing a commercial system, one that you can show hte
owner example sof and literature for is more likely to gain
acceptance OUTSIDE YOUR HOME COUNTRY.

So build it here on a home you own and so long as local building
codes allow, so long as homeowner deed restrictions will permit such
a device , and MANY now require details plans to be submitted in
writing before proceeding - we have to get shingle color approved,
exterior pain colors approved and the solar hot water system had to
be approved by the HOA BEFORE work began, then go ahead.
Just don't dream of doing this in a foreign country WITHOUT getting
the homeowner's approval AND consult with local real Estate
professionals to get their advice on the homebrew plan.

Could be a thing that gets you evicted over there, so be very very
careful if you intend to do homebrew in France (or Germany, or Italy,
or Spain, Or England.......)

Hi Robert,
I guess that makes sense if he is renting, or will not be there for
long -- not
sure it thats the case or not?
Places vary a lot on approvals and covenants -- sounds like you live
in a very
picky place. Where I am, the covenants are not very restrictive, and
no permit
is required.
Anyway, was just wondering why you thought it would not be a good idea.

Most overseas assignments like this tend to be for two years or less due
to Visa requirements (displacement of citizen workers and all that). He
did not make it clear in posting I saw in alt.home.repair as quoted by
Nick whether this was to be a relatively short term assignment, as most
of these are, or if he is, in effect, emigrating to France, intended to
set up is long term household there, and to eventually renounce US
citizenship to become a French citizen.

I think that DIY solar water heaters can be a good way to go. The
cost of
commercial systems is high -- I think a lot due to low volume
production. You
can save a substantial amount of money building your own. I think
that the
simple payback on some systems could be as low as a couple years --
less if
energy rates keep going up. Not to mention the greenhouse gas benefits.


DIY solar hot water, hmm

I see a 3-4 person system with 80 gallon heat exchanger tank (so
antifreeze soltuion flows thru the collector for only $2500 plus
installation. Yes, that is more than a gas powered hot water tank,
but will pay for itself quickly. This feeds into a standard hot water tank.