In the event of a major power outage, most people will eventually experience a complete loss of hot water – apart from what they can heat themselves using pots and pans.

That is unless they have the ability to switch to a solar powered hot water heater or already use a solar powered hot water generator.

The Things You Will Need To Gather Up Before You Start:

Piping

Water heater

Water heater conversion component (optional)

Solar hot water collector

Pump

Differential sensor

Temperature and pressure relief valves (2)

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Instructions To Follow:

Determine if your water heater has a second spout on the top or not. If it does, that will be the new hot water input. If it does not, you’ll need to buy a water heater conversion component and attach it to the cold input line at the bottom of the heater.

Install the solar water heater on your roof, or other space with good sun.

Connect the solar heater to the water heater. Do this by rerouting the cold supply, through a pump, to the input on the lower side of the solar heater, and then connecting the hot water output from the top of the solar heater to the new input on the water heater.

Install temperature and pressure relief valves at the top of the solar heater and the output of the water heater.

Remember, the output from your old heater will remain the same spout. However, if you get freezing temps where you live, you will need to fill your solar heater with antifreeze and also connect it to a heat exchanger.

A solar powered hot water heater is an easy and inexpensive way to ensure you have hot water for cleaning and sanitizing throughout the year and in the event of a power outage.

Whether you choose to use it as an auxiliary alternative or as part of your everyday hot water system, you can learn more about this awesome and innovative idea by visiting eHow.

Featured Image via Owen and Aki/Flickr