How can I make a windmill that just heats my hot water heater? I want to make a windmill that powers one of the two elements in my hot water heater. I figure this is a good idea, since it will help out when the wind blows, and have no effect when it is not, except the reheat time will be longer.

I figure this is a good idea because I shouldn%26#039;t have to convert the power to 120 V %26amp; 60 Hz, which I assume is very wasteful.

Best Answer

Wind isn%26#039;t really the most efficient way to heat water. Use a passive solar water heater. Basically, it is a black box on the roof with water pipes running through it. The sun heats it up then it runs back into the house. You could have the pipes run back to your water heater to keep it warm instead of having to heat it up from ambient temperature. It will actually heat your water up past the scalding point so you will use less heated water in your showers.

Asker's Rating:

Thanks, I will look into solar.
I live in MN so I am not sure that solar is the right answer for me, but it is worth a look. Maybe, solar for generating electricity in the summer and wind to get the job done in the winter.

Other Answers (3)

• I know you can buy wind turbines but usually they are large and cost a few thousand. You might be able to look at one and figure out how to make one from that.
  
  There are also smaller ones and they go on the roof of the house these are called vertical-axis wind turbines and they are smaller and generate about 500 watts of power. You should be able to google wind turbines and see some companies that sell some, pictures of different wind turbines and maybe you can ask them some questions.
• Wow I really dont know thats a really good question
• are you insane?