Caution should be used when building any solar thermal system as the temperature of the water can easily exceed 200 degrees fahrenheit, you can recieve sever burns with in seconds at 140 degrees. That being said, a heavy duty black plastic bag filled with water hung above the shower in full sunlight can provide warm water quickly and very inexpensively. You can checkout some camping equipment sites to purchase.

Happy Showering!

Dan Martyn

Thanks Dan for responding. I have thought of the "bag" technique, but was interested in a permanent design for my patio. Thanks for the warning about the water temp - here in FL the water inside a hose lying on the deck is scalding.

One thought I had was to install a large diameter PVC pipe vertically with a hose connection on the bottom and a showerhead at the top. Wondering if the water pressure would force the hot water (with needed mixing) up towards the shower head. Any thoughts??

Rosesr4me,

PVC piping has temperature ratings which are printed on the piping and 180 degrees would soften the plastic piping. When water is heated it expands. As you can not control the maximum water temp the PVC piping would eventually burst open spraying hot water. If you were thinking on attaching to a wall hydrant/hose bibb, these are required to have a vacuum breaker which would open due to backpressure and drain the pipe/tank. You would have to build a "Substancial" system for any amount of safety. If the system is connected to the water supply, a Temperature and Pressure relief valve should be installed. Standard steel piping and fittings with ratings to 125 psi minimum should be used. an antiscald shower valve or mixing valve should be used with a cold water line included. You may want to run your project past the local plumbing inspections department too.

Hope that helps,

Dan Martyn

Thanks Dan for responding. Obviously there is much more to the design than I initially thought.

Thanks for the tips .....maybe a solar bag would be the way to go.... :)