Solar shower garden: cooling refreshment for Swiss summer days
A shower in your own garden sounds like a luxury, but in Switzerland it is a practical answer to hot summer days. With a solar shower garden, families and garden owners gain immediate access to cooling off outdoors without having to make any alterations to the house. The system heats the water using only the sun, does not require a power connection and can be installed quickly with a little manual skill. Anyone planning a solar garden shower in Switzerland or wanting to build a solar shower themselves will benefit from low costs, manageable material requirements and pleasant hot water comfort. Thanks to the limited tank, it also promotes conscious use of water, which is particularly useful in regions with high water hardness and summer drought. When cleverly positioned, the solar shower becomes a small open-air wellness area - ideal after gardening, sport or for children playing.
In this article, you will learn why the solar shower is particularly suitable for Swiss gardens, how to plan the location and safety correctly and which materials have proven their worth. You will also receive step-by-step instructions, tips on care and advice on solar shower costs in Switzerland to ensure that your project works reliably and is a pleasure to use for a long time.
Why a solar shower in the garden?
Advantages for families and children
A solar shower is more than just a nice garden gadget: it makes everyday life easier and keeps the water fun outside. A solar shower in the garden is ideal for families because children get clean quickly after playing in the sandpit or paddling pool and there is no need for slippery bathroom floors.
Adults also benefit. Dirt and sweat can be rinsed off immediately after mowing the lawn, tending the raised bed or playing sport. This saves walking into the house and protects the floor in the entrance area.
Environmentally friendly decision: Sustainability and resource conservation
Solar showers work without electricity and use solar energy, usually via a black tank or integrated collectors. This reduces energy consumption in the home and fits in with sustainable garden concepts in Switzerland. Useful background information is provided by SwissEnergy, which explains solar heating in a generally understandable way.
Because the tank is limited, water consumption is moderate and promotes economical showering. For planning and orientation, it is worth taking a look at the duration of sunshine and radiation in your region. Meteorological data is provided by MeteoSwiss.
Which location considerations are important?
Space requirements and accessibility
A good location determines the water temperature. If possible, plan your solar shower garden to be in the sun all day, preferably on the south side or in front of a wall that stores heat. The more hours of sunshine, the more pleasant the water.
It can usually be connected to the outside pipe using a garden hose. Make sure the paths are short and safe to walk on, without any tripping hazards. Mobile columns require a footprint of around 30-40 cm, solid stand models up to around 1 m². Think about a frost-proof storage area for the winter.
Safety aspects for children
Install the shower securely on a level, non-slip surface such as a wooden platform or paved area. For a solar shower garden, we recommend fittings with temperature limiters or Scald protection up to around 38-40 °C.
If you have small children in the garden, you should make the water access controllable, for example with a shut-off valve or childproof fitting. This ensures safe operation - even in intense sunlight.
What materials and models are available?
Cost assessment and material quality
Various materials are available for a solar shower garden, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. The most common are
:- Plastic: inexpensive, lightweight and often UV-stable, but tends to be less durable.
- Stainless steel or aluminum: high-quality, weather-resistant and ideal for fixed installations, but more expensive.
- Wood with metal: visually warm and robust, sometimes with integrated technology, but more complex to assemble.
The price ranges from around CHF 80 to CHF 500, depending on the features. Tank volume, thermostat, stability and installation effort are decisive factors in the price. Look out for UV-resistant surfaces, rust-proof screw connections and availability of spare parts.
Availability of materials on the Swiss market
You can find DIY sets and accessories for a solar garden shower in Switzerland at BAUHAUS, Jumbo, Hornbach Switzerland and online at Galaxus or Brack. Suitable connections, hoses, mixer taps and Teflon tape are useful.
In sunny regions such as the Mittelland or Rhone Valley, it is worth asking regional gardening companies. Many offer tried and tested solutions or combine the shower with wooden decking and drainage.
Step-by-step installation guide
Preparing and planning the installation
Clarification in advance saves time and money. Check where the solar shower garden receives the most sun and how the water connection is routed. Decide whether the shower should remain mobile or be permanently fixed.
Create a list of materials. You will often also need: garden hose with quick-release couplings, Teflon tape, screws and brackets as well as a stable wooden or stone platform as a base. For brick-built versions, drainage via a gravel bed or channel is recommended.
Tips for installation and connection
Install the shower according to the manufacturer's instructions and align the tank or column consistently to the south. This way, the solar shower garden achieves the highest level of heating.
Connect the supply line without dripping and check the water pressure. A pressure reducer is recommended for high pressures. Secure the shower in a stable position and test all functions, including the shower head and mixing valve.
Maintenance and common mistakes to avoid
Tips on caring for the solar shower
Regular care maintains its performance. Empty the tank when not in use, flush the pipes in spring and descale the shower head and filter regularly. This protects the solar shower garden from deposits.
Store mobile parts in a dry and frost-free place in winter. In cool transitional periods, consistent draining prevents damage caused by frost at night.
Typical errors and how to avoid them
Common causes of trouble are shadows on the tank, excessive water pressure and residual water in the system. Make sure that the solar shower garden is not shaded, check the line pressure and empty the tank in the evening.
Replace damaged seals immediately and check fittings annually for hairline cracks. This will ensure long-term functionality and hygiene.
How much does a DIY solar shower really cost?
Cost overview for materials and installation
Entry-level models made of plastic with a 20-litre tank start at around CHF 80, stainless steel versions with a thermostat from around CHF 250. Permanently installed hot water showers.
Additional costs are incurred for wooden or stone bases (CHF 30-100), extension hoses and couplings (CHF 20-50) and fixing materials or tools (CHF 20-40). If you do it yourself, you save the installation costs of a specialist company of around CHF 300-500
. Long-term savings and benefits in the garden
During operation, you reduce hot service water from the house, protect the boiler in summer and reduce energy and water costs. The solar shower garden also noticeably increases the recreational value of your green space.
Instead of going to the spa for wellness, you can enjoy flexible refreshment at home - independent of electricity prices and with a good feeling for the environment.
Alternatives to the solar shower
Other options for refreshing garden showers
If a fixed location is not possible or if cool water is predominantly desired, alternatives offer uncomplicated solutions. In addition to the solar shower garden, the following are suitable depending on use
:- Mobile lawn sprinkler: ideal for children, but without temperature control.
- Shower bag or camping system: suspended from a tree, lightweight and flexible for weekends.
- Free-standing garden shower without solar tank: directly on the garden hose, but only cold water.
Comparison: solar shower vs. conventional garden shower
Compared to classic cold water showers, the solar shower garden offers hot water comfort without electricity, lower operating costs and a smaller carbon footprint. It is therefore a convincing middle ground for most private gardens.
Although cold water models provide constant pressure, they are not necessarily cheaper to purchase and install if hot water is required. The solar variant remains the pragmatic solution for DIY fans.
Conclusion: A DIY solar shower is a worthwhile investment in comfort, sustainability and garden use. Families in particular benefit from uncomplicated cooling without additional energy costs or home modifications.
If you have a sunny spot, some tools and enjoy DIY, your solar shower will be up and running in just a few hours. Start your garden project now and transform your green space into a refreshing oasis - with a solar shower garden as the clever centerpiece.