Do I really need a pump for a solar water heater?

May 5, 2011 | Filed under: Self Reliance | Posted by: Laquon Marshall

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XelaTeco does installations of evacuated tube solar hot water heaters.

Question by matt: Do I really need a pump for a solar water heater?
I plan on building a PVC solar water heater to connect with the water heater up stairs. The solar heater will sit lower than it. Would I still need a pump?

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2 Responses to Do I really need a pump for a solar water heater?

If the solar collector is lower than the water storage tank, and if you design the piping correctly, then no pump is needed.

campbelp2002
May 5, 2011 at 2:07 pm
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Check out some of the instructions on Build it Solar for a thermosyphon solar water heater. As long as the tank is higher than the collector, you won’t need a pump. http://builditsolar.com/Projects/WaterHeating/water_heating.htm#Thermosyphon

Also check out their section on $ 1k solar water heating systems.

Amy
May 5, 2011 at 2:41 pm
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