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Triple Whammy

Make camp showers earth-, wallet- and people-friendly

By Tammy York

Before campers turn on the shower, drain the hot water tank, or leave the water running--there are a few components that can be installed to make life easier and the shower a little warmer.

Warm Water Brought To You By The Sun

Passive solar-water heating panels are an environmentally friendly alternative to provide hot water to showers in campgrounds or remote cabins.

The heating method is simple--the source water flows into heavy-gauge copper tubes, and then radiant energy from the sun heats the water, which flows out when someone turns on the shower. How hot does the water get? Try 160 F--hot enough to poach an egg.

To reduce the temperature to a reasonable level, a temperature-regulating valve is employed to mix the 160 F water with the cold-source water to bring it to the 105 F mark most people prefer. This means more hot water for everyone--even the shower hogs.

Passive solar works for new builds as well as retrofits; it is helping federal and state parks lead the way to greener living and reduced carbon emissions. One new project in Florida’s Lake Louisa State Park outfitted 20 lakeside cabins with 40-gallon units that produce 80 gallons of hot water per day; this is enough to keep up to five people in showers as well as clean dishes and clothes. The empty 40-gallon unit weighs about 250 pounds and about 600 pounds full.

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