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Winter can be a challenging season if you’re harvesting rainwater for year-round use. Freezing temps threaten your rain barrels, cisterns, and water cubes, potentially leading to damage or inaccessible (frozen) water.
Fortunately, with a few strategies and the right tools, you can keep your rainwater collection system functional and flowing all year. In this post, I’ll share some tips, tools, and products to help you keep your rainwater containers—barrels, totes (a/k/a cubes), cisterns, etc.—and spigots from freezing.
Why Protect Rainwater Barrels from Freezing?
Rainwater harvesting systems aren’t just about collecting water—they’re about saving it for use when you need it. When water freezes, it expands. This can crack barrels, burst cisterns, and warp water cubes, potentially leading to pricey repairs or replacements. Even if your container doesn’t break, frozen water is obviously unusable when needed, whether for irrigation, cleaning, drinking, or other household uses.
Keeping your rainwater barrels from freezing also ensures your system is ready to catch and store more water during winter thaws or early spring rains.
Tips for Keeping Rainwater from Freezing
1. Choose Insulated Rain Barrels or Add Insulation
Insulation is one of the simplest ways to protect your rain barrels or water cubes from freezing. Wrapping your container in insulating materials can significantly reduce heat loss.
What to Use:
Bubble Wrap Insulation: A cost-effective way to cover barrels. Look for heavy-duty, UV-resistant options like Reflectix Double Bubble Insulation.
Barrel Covers: Products like IBC Tote Covers are specifically designed for this purpose.
Spigot Covers: We use insulated outdoor faucet covers for all of the above-ground spigots on our barrels and tanks.
2. Keep Water Moving
Circulating water is less likely to freeze. Installing a small pump or aerator in your rain barrel or cistern can keep water moving enough to prevent freezing.
Product Suggestion:
Solar-Powered Fountain Pumps: A simple fountain pump like the AISITIN 3.5W Solar Fountain Pump can work for small barrels.
Submersible Aquarium Pumps: Reliable and affordable options include the Tetra Whisper Submersible Pump.
3. Install a Heating Element
If you live in an area with prolonged freezing temperatures, adding a heating element can provide some peace of mind. These devices gently warm the water, keeping it liquid without excessive energy use.
Product Suggestion:
Stock Tank Heaters: A 1500-watt floating de-icer works well for larger cisterns or cubes, while a 500-watt de-icer can work for containers up to 50 gallons. Like those linked here, just be sure that a de-icer can be used with the type of tank (metal, plastic, etc.) that you have.
Heated Barrel Wraps: Options like the Beamnova Drum Heater are suitable for 55-gallon drums.
4. Bury or Partially Submerge Containers
Earth is a natural insulator, maintaining a stable temperature even in winter. If feasible, bury or partially submerge your rainwater cistern or cube.
Tip: Combine this method with insulation to maximize protection.
Choosing the Right Method for Your System
Not every solution works for every setup. Here’s a quick guide to match your rainwater collection container with the best freeze-protection strategies:
Container Type | Best Methods |
Rain Barrels | Insulation, heating wraps, moving water |
Water Cisterns | Stock tank heaters, partial burial |
Water Cubes | Insulation, indoor storage |
Bonus: Repurpose Overflow in Winter
While protecting rainwater from freezing, don’t forget about overflow. Winter rains can still fill your system. Use overflow water for:
Irrigating evergreen plants
Creating ice-free zones in birdbaths
Cleaning tools, vehicles, etc.
Product Suggestion:
Flexible Overflow Kits: An overflow adapter kit can help channel excess water for other uses.
Winter-Proofing Your Rainwater Barrels: How to Keep Them from Freezing
Rainwater harvesting doesn’t have to stop when temperatures drop. With the right tools, techniques, and a little prep, you can protect your rain barrels, cisterns, and cubes from freezing and keep your system functional all winter. Whether it’s insulating your containers, adding a heater, or simply moving smaller systems indoors, there’s a solution (or combination of solutions) for every setup.
Written by Deb Kingsbury
Living on a 36-acre off-grid property in northern Arizona, Deb and her husband Jeremy embrace sustainable living through solar power, rainwater harvesting, and a passive solar home built with recycled polystyrene block. A freelance writer and editor, Deb grows food in raised beds and a greenhouse and is an avid hiker and backpacker. A long-time search & rescue volunteer, she has published two novels and previously homesteaded on the East Coast.
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