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In the summer months, no backyard is complete without a shower, so why not have a solar heated shower?  It can be anything from a simple piece of flexible water hose to a proper shower stall with a drain, perhaps some decking for comfortable toweling, and screening for privacy.  

We will consider a simple solar heated shower design which will fit neatly into an average backyard, possibly close to a swimming pool or hot tub, both of which could use the same hot water as the shower.

First and foremost, you must ensure there is good drainage for your shower.  Some local authorities will let you use a simple French drain or run-off into a convenient flower bed.  Others might demand a more elaborate system that drains into the main sewer or septic tank.  You will have to observe whatever rules are in force for your neighborhood.  

The design of your outdoor solar shower will depend on other criteria as well:

Screening.  Do you need to avoid being overlooked? If so you will need a simple cubicle structure, no more than 4 foot square, sited away from upstairs windows (yours and your neighbors!).

Water Supply.  You will experience a small drop in water pressure if your shower is a long way from your mains supply. If you find this is the case, you can increase the shower flow by mounting an old hot water cylinder or tank above the shower.

Sun.  The solar heating system (pipe, tank or both) will need to get adequate exposure to sun for most of the day.  Enough hot water for the next shower should be available in about 15 minutes or so, but it will need much longer if there is shade over the solar heating system for a significant part of the day.

Usage.  How do you intend to use the solar heated shower? After a swim, perhaps?  To cool off after a sunbathe?  Your shower design will depend very much on how you want to use it.

Litter.  The shower pan can be a great magnet for every fallen leaf.  Try to cover this with a wooden lid or similar device when not in use, and placing the shower well away from trees if possible is also sensible.

An outdoor solar shower will be between 9 and 16 square feet in size for comfort, and mounted on decking about a foot above ground level, to allow the installation of a simple galvanized steel drainage box under the shower to take soiled water away to the soakaway or other drainage system you have provided.

The decking can be extended for 4 or 5 feet at the shower entrance, to allow comfortable drying off without getting feet dirty.  Pressure-treated softwood 4×4 posts can be used at each corner of the shower stall, and the side screens can be made from ply, cedar shingles or any kind of paneling that takes your fancy.  

You will find the solar heating system very easy to make. A shower head attached to a length of ½ inch flexible pipe coiled on the roof of the shower and then to the main cold water tap is often sufficient. A more formal arrangement will still involve coils of water pipe mounted in a tray above the shower and exposed to the sun. You can increase the capacity by including an old water tank or cylinder but, if you do this, you will probably need to mount it higher than the shower head – not always an aesthetically pleasing method unless you can somehow conceal it.

In very hot weather you might need to include a mixer system, for allowing hot and cold water to merge before you burn yourself in the shower!

If you would like expert advice we have a strongly recommended guide to help you select and build the right outdoor solar shower for you.  There are plans, diagrams and clear, step-by-step instructions to guide you through the whole process.

Tags: build a solar shower, diy solar shower, garden improvements, home and garden improvements, Home Landscaping, Home Renovation, outdoor solar shower, solar heated shower

This entry was posted on Sunday, November 8th, 2009 at 5:11 am and is filed under Home & Garden Improvements, Home Landscaping, Home Renovation. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.