Guerrilla-Solar Hot Water heater

[GothicSeraph]

So I have an extra Hot water tank, live in Florida, and its summer. My next house project is a Guerrilla-Solar Hot Water heater because I live in the country and hate permits.

The Plan is to paint the tank Black & lay a concrete base for it outside, run the cold water line to the outdoor tank, from there run a line to the interior tank and boom 2 40 gallon tanks + Cut down my daytime electric use.

At night it is not a waste of energy because the sun is heating that area anyways.

[Infinityshock]

What is a hot water tank...and what is it made out of? Is it a second water heater?

[GothicSeraph]

What is a hot water tank...and what is it made out of? Is it a second water heater?

Its a large water storage tank thats insulated, it was left over parts from a passive solar heating system. Pretty sure its aluminum.

[SupremeGentleman]

Does the tank run an electric element?

[GothicSeraph]

Does the tank run an electric element?

No heating element inside. It is designed for storage only.

[Infinityshock]

If its the design type im thinking of...its designed to hold heat in...meaning it wont work so well in heating water from the outside

[GothicSeraph]

If its the design type im thinking of...its designed to hold heat in...meaning it wont work so well in heating water from the outside

I'll look for the specs to scan in, but the idea of the design I'm using is to bring the ground water up to 100, and only use the electricity to bring it up to 105-110.

[Infinityshock]

It would work better if the heating surface were increased...as in a black hose feeding the tank.  The way the tank is probably set up will prevent direct sunlight from heating the water efficiently,  both because of the small surface area and the insulation keeping the heat out

[SupremeGentleman]

What sort of climate are you in?

[GothicSeraph]

What sort of climate are you in?

South West Florida.... Hot Humid for good portion of the year.

My ground water is already @ like 75 degrees.

[Vulture]

Here's a different idea that should heat up to 140F iirc:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Jm-c9B2_ew

[GothicSeraph]

Here's a different idea that should heat up to 140F iirc:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Jm-c9B2_ew

This is a cool idea, but I already have the tank and piping, just waiting for a day when I can pour a small slab and punch the walls for the piping etc.

[mojo4567]

If its the design type im thinking of...its designed to hold heat in...meaning it wont work so well in heating water from the outside

yah i think this is what will stop this idea. you can always go steal solar panels and make a "solar" hot water heater.