FREE HOT WATER | Building a Solar Batch Water Heater

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In this episode, we continue building our solar batch water heater. Once complete, this tank will give us free hot water, courtesy of the sun!

[@bluehart2559]

It really is amazing what two people can do together when they have a genuine respect for one another and laugh and love so easily. You both have a really great attitude on life and your overall treatment of yourselves and one another. Home is where the heart is, and your home is overflowing with heart. Hold on to and cherish that as it will get you through all things.

[@priscillabohn4621]

I was in the Army running 4 miles every day while pregnant. staying active is the perfect thing to do while pregnant. you go girl. house and water heater is looking great

[@marlon9191]

I really enjoy your videos and love the music could you give a list of the music you use

[@JPacerox1]

You go girl 💪

[@murray2225]

Just read the warnings on those paints and stains.

[@THintz-jc4sl]

Priscilla bohn does anyone have an address for this couple in Life Uncontained?

[@bethcatt7919]

I had a miss shaped hat when I was kid,I remove it With wire

[@valchloekudzaishe]

I love how you are so down to earth and the way you work to together is soo wonderful

[@jessenorman195]

Agreed!!! Life goals 💯

[@rogerrapp2170]

Behind Every Brilliant Man, There is a Very Beautiful Lady and Without Bear The Toolmate, The Show Would not Be The Same . Congratulations Guys, You Guys Will Be Great Parents, What a Beautiful Family, Enjoy Life ! 😊❤

[@mikeretiredplumber1381]

System installation looks great, you put a lot of for thought into it. Also it appears Bear has gotten more protective of Mommy to be. Wishing you both all the happiness in the world. ❤️

[@valeriesmith9639]

That's why Bear was crying and worried when she was preparing the downspouts up on the roof. Love you Bear!

[@lenovo762]

I noticed that too...dogs have a sixth sense about pregnancy.

[@s.pursell8901]

I wish you much luck and happiness raising your baby. I can't seem to justify watching this channel any longer. I've never recieve any type of reply from you two ever. And I've been here a VERY long time. Good luck and I'm gonna miss ya. Toodles

[@GeneWaddle]

😂

[@SLAVIKTELY]

This episode should be called "How to Pimp my Solar Batch Water Heater" WOW it came out very very nice. Love the detail work you two put into it. Do it once and DO IT ABSOLUTELY RIGHT with STYLE!!!!

[@JimPeachley]

The paint on the batch tank is quite shiny, which will reflect a lot of sunlight. You might consider giving it a coat of hi-temp flat black. Also, with the dramatic amount of rain collection you're getting, make sure the end of the overflow from the storage tanks is sufficiently far from the tanks to prevent what could turn out to be some serious erosion. Good work, you two.

[@tswrench]

If you were to paint the corrugated metal panels (back and sides) flat black, you'd have a more efficient passive solar collector that would help maintain the ambient temp inside the box and not reflect light outside of the box. I'm guessing that you're going to put a sheet of lexan or acrylic on top to seal the box. The black water tank along with black sides and back panels lining the interior, could provide you with a dual purpose passive solar collector that not only heats the water, but could also be setup to pump heated air into the house. A simple setup involving a thermostat and a couple of fans (intake and exhaust) would help to passively heat your home when needed.

[@KEIFabrication]

Hey Guys! I have been following your progress for a year or so, and I am excited to see how far you have come! I teach Architectural Design to high school students, and in mid September I asked them to design a tiny home using shipping containers. Now that they have mostly completed their designs, I have been sharing your videos that focus on exterior and interior design and layout. I especially appreciated your walk through of the floor plan after the framing was mostly completed on the inside. It was a great opportunity to show my students how a small home can have the look of a spacious home with the several design elements you have incorporated. The open floor plan and raised center roof and windows really pulled that off nicely. Many of my students chose to use more than one container, decks and porches, pocket doors, and the open floor plan. Your videos provided an excellent opportunity to show students many design characteristics of shipping container home design from the ground up. Everything from the concrete piers, to the wall and ceiling framing, how plumbing and wiring is handled, and strengthening the roof where the side panels were removed were discussed with my students. Your videos are helping/inspiring young architects and future tiny home builders here in Rhode Island. Thanks for sharing all your hard work and the tremendous effort you both put in to you videos and your home.

[@SuperKingslaw]

A suggestion: the corrugated metal should be oriented vertically rather than horizontally. Horizontal orientation will reflect 50% of light back into the sky, while vertical orientation will only reflect from side to side and therefore increases your efficiency.

[@Shami.Hopeful.Lady777]

I really, really love your love. God bless you both and especially the tiny one within.

[@toddkratzer7953]

I had my doubts with the water tanks so I'm glad to hear they are working as planned.

[@rodrickstill1201]

In the future I’m hope y’all will make a greenhouse for fresh vegetables and your overflow water will have extra purpose.

[@ColvettChronicles]

Or a hydroponic garden

[@hectorperez7655]

an aquaponic system will also work just fine :)

[@FoodNerds]

Yes, that's my goal to have a garden. Now if I can just get beef, chicken, goats, ducks and eggs from my sisters farm I'll be set. I don't want all those animals because I'll get to attached.

[@emilmills5092]

yes you could put in a sprinkler system for the garden. or a metal tub for the animals outside the fence

[@marktruman2842]

I start getting excited about every Thursday, waiting for the next posting. you two are amazing! and they never seem to be long enough. I just want more! I just love watching you build your dream!

[@tltate]

You guys are one of my favorite KZbin channels. I love watching you guys grow in life together. Congratulations on your new daughter, Beau! You’ve just entered the best part of life. I know it is probably strange to hear this from a total stranger, but, I am very happy for you guys.

[@jaycole2121]

I don’t know if anyone has already suggested this already, so if the have I will just say sorry in advance. Run the corrugated sheeting with the channels running vertical instead of horizontal and the sunlight will not be reflected back out the box so much.

[@B-Rac]

So cool that you're documenting this important part of your lives and that in the future you'll be able to share it with your children. Thank you for sharing your journey.

[@mrreybaybay]

The suspencer is killing me I need more!

[@contemporaryclasics]

Never thought watching people working was fun but you two made it possible,take care of my nephew soon-to-be-born 💪💪💪

[@Drinks-and-finger-food]

Let me like it first.... now I’m going to watch it.

[@temssky13]

Same.. i already know... im gonna like the video, before even watching it.

[@junebugsa]

I just found your channel last week and am now going back through and watching your old videos. The attention to detail is amazing. Can't wait to see everything all finished. It is going to be amazing and one of the best built homes around!

[@invictus0x0]

If you flat black the interior corrugated metal and seal it behind glass, your temps should come up even more.

[@GiovannaONeal]

Can you come do mine?

[@darlenedouglas5148]

It's really coming together! Nice to see that the baby is really growing! Glad to hear how much water you have already collected from the 3 rains. Am enjoying the updates even if the video is on the short side. Another great rain to help fill the water tanks. Great video as always & fantastic update on the hot water! Thank you for sharing your update and will be anxiously waiting for the next update!

[@adylan9872]

Awww that lovey kiss was so adorable ! 💚💚💚 your a good man !

[@stevemccrory9130]

Spencer putting every other man into the dog-house.

[@adylan9872]

Lol i will give mine a pass he did the dishes and did some laundry yesterday!!! 😂

[@peterjbrown1458]

I think I have watched every vid from the start and loved them all. What makes them even better is the care you take producing the videos, I bet it takes an age to edit them but it’s so worthwhile. Herefordshire, UK.

[@don7406]

Spencer really has a knack for that stained cedar siding. It looks great.

[@gdaygday1209]

Now i know you need to watch at least 30 seconds of an ad before you guys make money....i now watch them ......lol......that is how much i love you guys and want to support the channel!

[@143tinaed]

I think you can improve the temperature by painting everything in the box flat black including the walls.

[@shawnbrooks1004]

I was scrolling through the comments to see if anyone else thought the same thing!

[@tportrey]

@@shawnbrooks1004 I had the same thought...

[@george8873]

They could test it pretty easy by lining the inside walls with black tar paper temporarily before painting anything.

[@jimhardesty2012]

@@george8873 could use black trash bags also for testing

[@george8873]

@@jimhardesty2012 The plastic might be too reflective to absorb as much heat as flat black tar paper, but it'd be worth trying too.

[@sidlebatard3365]

Love how y'all adjusted plans to achieve optimal performance from the solar hot water heater. Have binge watched all your episodes, extremely rare for me.

[@HighLifeNL]

Keep looking forward to your videos, you guys are amazing!

[@kjonesy4142]

We look forward to each of your videos, progress is moving right along and love how clean & finished each of your projects are. You can tell thought and planning went into them!

[@dontabor6708]

if you install the rear siding vertically, i don't think you would loose the solar radiation since it would be reflected towards the tank

[@JonXonrupt]

The best way would be to angle all metal surfaces so they're directly at the tank - ie not corrugated sheets, but individual slats. That's so much work though that I think what they are doing will probably be enough. If not come back later rather than over engineer it too much now.

[@stevenmark8156]

Like everyone is saying, it needs to be flat black on the whole inside. That would be the biggest help.

[@arthurpadget]

The corrugation just changed the amount of light hitting your target as half of the light went up and out. The other half was hitting your target. Try half of a cpc at the top of your enclosure. Also using double planed glass would vastly increase your insulation. Great video as always!! Grats on the upcoming baby. It’s the best!!!

[@RoxyLegs]

I wore my hubby's shirts while pregnant too. Cute!!

[@genestatler2514]

You two are just the greatest! I wish you all the best in all you do.

[@karengossett564]

The end scared the shit out of me! Are you ok? Knowing Bear was close by makes me feel better. 😊 He is a great protector

[@sibue015]

I've watched every one of your videos. And I'm genuinely impressed at your resolve to create everything you both have made!👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@adolfohernandeziii2159]

Love watching your videos. God is good and you are blessed.

[@derickmitchell9852]

Impressive plan. You did your homework. So many people don't understand the risks of creating potable water. I wonder about the painted surface of the roof. There are water test kits that you probably already have. Those of us on municipal water systems put too much trust in the water we use every day. I have worked in municipal water & I am a caver. Seeing the water deep underground is impressive. Understanding where & how it gets to us the water user is something we should never forget. The hard work both of you have put into this project is going to pay off.

[@susiestokely3811]

Watching “Bear Bear” sitting in your lap made me think of all the fun outdoor baby/toddler projects your gonna have to do: Sand box, Swing set, Stroller docking station (I just made that up😬), Sun deck, Swimming pool (kiddie and Bear size), etc., Spencer is gonna be (if not already) a Master Carpenter soon!

[@rogercoit2209]

You too are building a beautiful house!!! It's just fun to watch you both !!! Thank you 😊

[@offgridsweden]

That waterheater is looking great you guys. Have an amazing weekend Andreas from Off Grid Sweden 🇸🇪

[@numanaus]

You guys are so much better than Pure Life for Living. Love the progress so far. I’m watching from the start . Australia 🇦🇺

[@revelatoryartist]

Great video love the water system. I see your house is on blocks. I lived in a home like that. It was on piers off the ground. It was ok but the feral cats seemed to like fighting under the house, which meant a bad night of sleep. In the winter the breeze under the house made it a challenge to stay warm. Anyway something to think about. You to are AWESOME and BLESSED.

[@stevenmark8156]

Richard Sanchez that is a very good point! That wind blowing under the house is going to suck a lot of heat away! It needs some kind of skirting. Even straw bails if nothing else for now. And I have lived in a Mobile home with skirting loose in a few places. My cats made the skunks mad right under our bed room. We almost threw up in the middle of the night when they let go! Yeah! It needs some kind of skirting!!!!

[@allyncollins359]

So nice to see all the attention to detail!! I built my tiny house in only eighty days and missed so many of the little things that make it perfect!

[@dianamalady8808]

I know that you guys have the inside of the house prepared for the little one, but you guys are not showing us yet.... So i(we) will continue to watch, wish you guys would post more, especially now before baby comes.....because that will be an even busier time...love this adventure and love y'all and thanks for sharing...

[@richiesplay7379]

I've watched all of your progress since day one. You guys are just awesome! Wishing you all the best and may your baby be born healthy. Love from North-East India...

[@ravenheart6701]

Looking forward to seeing the finished product , been thinking of the whole solar energy thing a lot

[@gardengatesopen]

I've been watching almost from the beginning and look forward to your progress every time! Congrats on the baby too! I just wanted to drop a note to remind y'all that most all wildflower seeds are sown in the Fall - so time to do a bit of research and make sure you only get seeds that cows can eat! I never saw any wildflowers growing last Spring at your place, so I've been wondering when you'll be getting around to it! It's almost time now! As soon as the weather gets a bit cooler, THAT'S the time for it. Then all those flowers will be popping up soon after the baby! It'll be perfect timing! Lot's of us Texans do a whole lot of gardening during the cooler time of year, you can grow SOOOOO MUCH where y'all are! P.S. Plant a big patch of Dill this Fall/Winter and you'll automatically have a big ol' Swallowtail Butterfly Nursery Patch in April/May !!! Give those Mom's a few flowers to sip on too! Good Luck w Everything ♡ !!!

[@antiqueqttomes4739]

you two are so freakin AMAZING!!!! at what your doing, wow I wish I knew how to do all you do. THANK YOU FOR SHARING n Hi to lil baby, dog n donkeys n cows.

[@XLR8RRICK]

Test the tank against vertical tin and stand the tank upright it was designed for that orientation so you maximize hot output so entering water does not contaminate the hot as much. Thanks for all the uploads.

[@hyzlifestyle1478]

When you like the video before it even starts lol i love you Guys ♥️ but i wanna see the walls made ! I wanna see the rooms ... Well i should just watch and appreciate your work ♥️ you're Amazing

[@hyzlifestyle1478]

@UCOCeItODoluMyHnYV9L4-iQ yeah i know don't worry, just saying that i'm impatient for the finished product As for the inspector, i don't know really i don't live in the states

[@maryhale1558]

It amazes me how much he knows about doing things to the house! U guys are awesome!

[@JjMn1000]

Been waiting all week

[@Cheeney08]

hi, one of your avid fans here, always looking forward for your next videos and it seems like it's not enough, please make it longer, i really like you guys, you're just one of the few that i watched in youtube, your being down to earth and being natural makes me love you more and makes me very eager in looking forward for more of your videos every week, please please please, make it longer 😍😍😍

[@gardengatesopen]

I'm SURE once the weather cools off (in late October) they will make longer videos! I mean geez, it's over 100° outside and she's pregnant!!! Give em a break!! She needs to be spending her time inside their A/C - which is just exactly what I'm betting she's doing, and GOOD FOR HER for doing that!! There are only a few hours in the morning to be outside, even then it's still hot!!! Just be patient...

[@RatdogDRB]

Take a look at "Reflectix" for the back wall of the water heating enclosure. Foil on each side of bubble wrap. Great stuff.

[@cherliepegalan3823]

Nice seeing couple working together for their own project.

[@rrief3366]

BEEN WAITING FOR THIS SO LONG😍

[@barbaramcmickings]

Just have loved watching these two love and grow together on growing together on all their projectes their amazing familyl😊

[@movingmountainmotorsports1448]

Hey Guy's had a thought id like to share. You had issues where the sunlight was reflected out of your water heater box. So my thought was that if you would use either a 2 way mirror with reflective side in or mirrored window tint reflective side in you could essential trap the sun light in the solar box and have a more efficient heater.

[@williamruddell6819]

Thank you for sharing your amazing story/adventure. I’m sure it’s been challenging in ways that we’ll probably never know because of not actually “standing in your shoes” - but you both make it a pure joy to “peek over your shoulder” thru the process. Thank you for being real and sharing it all with us.

[@AprilLee021967]

The bump is growing....I love how the donkey is always somewhere in the videos.

[@alanvaleandthelazyfarmer1930]

In case you are thinking of upgrading your solar hot water, I thought you might like to see the heaters we use in Western Australia. Solarhart is our most popular brand. This video is from the 1970's and is more complicated than you need but it might give you ideas. Our systems generate so much heat, we need a temperature relief valve to let some water go when it boils so you might catch that in a tank and use it when it cools. The valve is adjustable and I use 55 degrees celcius. Basically, the collector is in an insulated box with 1'2" vertical pipes spaced 4" apart and collector plate painted black. Wire the pipes to the plate. The tank is also insulated. The top and bottom pipes are not quite horizontal. My system on the farm is 40 US gallons and has an electrical booster heater in the drum that I turn off 9 months a year an also when I'm away from the farm. Our latest heaters have gone from clear to frosted glass and the heat collector units have a different fluid but you don't need that. You will also notice our roof is constructed differently to the US but now, sarking is compulsory under a tile roof. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWO7pqmtebWIkJo

[@dylanthomas7230]

Spencer has a Aussie Bush Hat!!

[@walldog1457]

WOW FINALLY FINISHED ALL YOUR VIDS,OVIEDO FL. WHAT HARMONY YOU BOTH HAVE WITH LIFE AND WELLALL THAT COMES WITH IT.....YOU HAVE MADE MEMORIES FOR THE REST OF YOUR JOURNEY TO REFLECT SHARE.CONGRATTS...

[@davidkaufmann4513]

You know, that Donkey standing around watching ya'll work, reminds me of Donkey in the Shrek movies!!

[@DHarri9977]

The old black and white movies, Francis the talking donkey, or mule I forget lol

[@davidkaufmann4513]

@@DHarri9977 Absolutely!! And Mr. Ed as well!!!

[@DHarri9977]

@@davidkaufmann4513 Thank you for getting my reference, lol

[@caseyjo2566]

Paint the corrugated tin black, put it back in there..... and consider an ultra violet light for part of your water filtration. Keep up the good work and really enjoy seeing your progress. Nice job.

[@flowrider5082]

I can see why you married that girl. She is beautiful, smart, and can light up a room with her smile!🥰

[@celestejacobs7386]

Beautiful? 😂😂😂

[@suearmstrong3404]

I am always sad when your videos end, I could watch you guys all day! You do amazingly cool stuff and I love seeing it all come together!

[@priscillabohn4621]

I love how Spencer kissed you while holding your baby bump

[@stevemccrory9130]

Stop it Spencer....you're putting us other men to shame.

[@Finn-McCool]

I vomited in my mouth reading that comment.

[@pocketchange1951]

No more PDA Please, lol

[@lenovo762]

Me too !!!

[@warrenmichael918]

you liked that ? You shoulda seen the moves ol Spence put on her when they made the bump ! U lucky dog u !! LOL

[@tonysays6387]

You guys should call your program stress relief because every time I wash it I forget about all my stress and worries you guys are awesome 😊👍

[@tonysays6387]

Thanks 😊

[@salliebeard1899]

Great job....👍👏 Hope everyone & everything is ok . The ending sounded scary...

[@jwfinkler388]

You are an amazing couple. Stay safe and protect the bump.

[@Florus3-o8z]

I’d love to have a dog like Bear, helping me finding my tools! 😛

[@marciasanderson838]

I need a dog to help me find my teeth and glasses! LOL

[@tomyoung1739]

I bet her partner was in the shed stuffing the driver into the dogs mouth

[@stevebaumann8879]

As I have experience building my design - 10 units installed; I have some pointers. 1. There is a material celled specular aluminum that is VERY REFLECTIVE. Makes an excellent liner. 2. There is a tape, about 6in. wide, that absorbs and retains heat to place on the outer face of the tank. 3. I used rustoleum paint used for wood stoves that is matte surfaced. 4. A thermometer that helps to read the water temp. is nice. 5. You should install a 'pop-off' device to release extra, [plus 210temp.], heat. My units, left alone, would create steam. PS. I angled the back wall about 20deg, towards the front to let more sun hit the tank in the summer.

[@GeneWaddle]

Ah, the classic cliff hanger. Well done. 👍🦆

[@hollyhasegawa6095]

Amazing you two, I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoy watching you both work on things and get so excited when you post a new video. I think a greenhouse in the future would be an excellent idea like someone suggested, then your overflow would serve a great purpose as well. I love the two of you and know you are going to be great parents and this home is going to be amazing. Thank you again.

[@balla6010]

Hi there you two and half, just would like to know will the house be livable by time the baby is due. Enjoy your videos very much

[@chasmarischen4459]

Your solar water heater looks great! You probably know a rough sand-textured surface collects more heat, also flat-black absorbs and gloss reflects... Again, thank you for the ideas. I have a insulated sliding glass door and water tank here that didn't pan-out on a project. But now thanks to you they can be transformed to something similar to your heater.

[@theoisaac9948]

Good job doing from scratch!

[@aiyadelosangeles5828]

Spencer....am amazed with this guy, REALLY! ... I can see he does EVERYTHING from the pipes for the water system to the electrical and what have you..you are a very fortunate wifey!!...way to go, so what can't he do anyway?!?

[@kennyray9252]

Your husband is a Total Perfectionist. Nice job. Sh** that’s so nice I’d live in it.

[@tonykirk1966]

Greatest admiration of you guys and your build. Can't wait to see the end result and you all settled in, you've worked so hard. You put the 'T' in team!

[@timhallas4275]

When the rain started, I thought, "Well at least we know there's plenty if cold water."

[@ericdavis2787]

You guys impress the hell out of me every week I can’t wait to see more on the inside

[@hazeygreenleaf1016]

Can’t wait to see if the heater actually works

[@pocketchange1951]

Oh they work, been using my since 2000

[@higherthanmost9519]

You guys are relationship Goals for the rest of us. Thanks! Been missing the out takes at the end end of the video.

[@phillippowell3847]

Hi guys just a thought I may of course have missed the part when you installed one but the end of this episode made me wonder that as you will be living in two steel boxes how about a lightening conductor !!!!

[@McTroyd]

A grounding strap will probably be needed when they wire the house for electric anyway. Good thought.

[@calvingreene90]

Faraday cage. Look it up.

[@er1073]

This has been well planned 150 degree water is pretty hot. And then there is Bear handing out the correct tools way to go fur baby. I look forward to the weekend to see what is next I am never disappointed.

[@redwillowdesign]

The hat makes Spencer look like an Aussie.

[@lb128f]

Looking great! Sweet baby bump, hope you are feeling well.

[@walterfigueroa3706]

What happened at the end of the video? just heard some screams and all of a sudden the video ended... hope everything is fine!

[@babbetto1]

I’m betting the wind knocked the camera set up over.

[@Guust_Flater]

It's called a "cliffhanger"....😉😂😂👍

[@PipeManPeep]

There goes another tripod.

[@jamesmoore5603]

She wants to maintain the Suspencer!

[@mariaflores2002202]

James Moore 😂

[@shawnanderson1656]

Great seeing you two on here every week what a great couple you are . 😎❤️❤️🙏

[@jimj8384]

The paint should be flat black, shiny back reflects

[@donmcannally5577]

Love your site and all you have accomplished I am 65 years old and have learned new things from your site. Have you finished the inside yet maybe I missed it.

[@MattJohnson-uj5wz]

U should try the metal vertically like ur barn

[@norsedragon]

I am constantly amazed at what you know to do and all that you've sorted out. Looks great!

[@Quake81270]

Are you planning on digging up a large spot for an underground cistern to hold overflow water to water animals, pets, produce and your lawn? I enjoy your videos every time. That donkey always seems to photo bomb your videos.

[@BrianPhillipsRC]

Looking great guys! Thanks for sharing all this.