Feb012010
Passive Solar Air Heater Heating System Alternative Energy
Posted under News by Webmaster at 05:28 on Feb 01 2010
This is a video of the Passive Solar Heating System in use at www.envirosponsible.com in Whitby, Ontario, Canada. It provides a great deal of heat, and the installer, Chris, will be making it more effecient by adding a second computer fan to push the warm air at the top, painting the inside better and taping the duct work. Also, the duct work will be directed into the office where the door can be closed and used in a smaller air mass. Visit our site at envirosponsible.com or call us at 905-666-2002.
1 envirosponsibleon 01 Feb 2010 at 06:20
Great point. There may be some regulations on blocking windows. There were already bars on the window though. Perhaps they were a “no-no” too.
2 envirosponsibleon 01 Feb 2010 at 06:21
I don’t know if it is more efficient to have a fan than just let convection work. That’s a good question.
3 dcbohnon 01 Feb 2010 at 06:57
How is it more effective running a fan than just backing the board a few inches back and letting convection work? Same about of heat/solar energy absorbed and releasted.
4 Sylvia441on 01 Feb 2010 at 07:03
wood has it’s place & we use it to heat our house which is off grid. Go to:”hawkhillfarmoffthegrid” to see it. Yea, it gets dusty, but that is what spring cleaning is all about
5 Umaxenon 01 Feb 2010 at 07:50
Probably not legal to block off a window like that though UNLESS you can gain access to the outside through the window. Don’t think the city would like to see this type of blocked window…
6 Umaxenon 01 Feb 2010 at 08:25
How simple, but effective. The bigger the window, the more heat. What I do not know is what type of glass is best for this type of set-up? Simple, uninsulated glass or? What if you have insulated, double pane windows? Would this still work?
7 basilenglishon 01 Feb 2010 at 08:30
have you tried the soda pop can way, it sounds like its more efficient??
8 envirosponsibleon 01 Feb 2010 at 09:09
It’s foam insulation painted with black high heat barbeque paint. Share your project with us on video Hugo!
9 TheDudeRulez09on 01 Feb 2010 at 09:51
This augmentation is almost 100% more effective in this situation, as for the lighting yes I agree with you there, but this is a heating topic. Without thermal mass to store the heat then there is no way to absorb and keep it warm.
10 TheDudeRulez09on 01 Feb 2010 at 10:21
donepearce, i build these and other similar active solar pieces, i also build cob homes and other earthen solar mass homes, this is not ridiculous at all, the typical commercial building or home does not have the thermal mass needed to absorb the direct sun light and store it as heat to release into the building.
11 hugoriba14on 01 Feb 2010 at 10:25
Great video! I’m doing something like that but a litle bit smaller and portable for one or two windows here at home. It´s just an experience.
Wat’s that black material in the absorber??
Keep up the Good Work!
Hugo – Portugal.
12 envirosponsibleon 01 Feb 2010 at 10:30
We put flaps on the inlets that would only allow air to enter. Did I explain that well? If not let me know and I’ll try to clarify.
13 arodueon 01 Feb 2010 at 10:52
I made a solar heater during the summer and finally hooked it up yesterday. I also choose to use “heavy material” but that is not the issue I am having.
The temp outside was 54 and sunny.
The temp coming out of the upper port was at 82.
I have no fans
I was totally satisfied with my results until, the sun went down. I then had to stuff a rag in the lower port to prevent the cold air from rolling in as the “convection” had reversed. how do you keep the unit from cooling the inside at night?
14 envirosponsibleon 01 Feb 2010 at 11:16
I see that our conversation is going nowhere fast. Thanks for watching.
15 donepearceon 01 Feb 2010 at 11:58
So leave the door open. Or switch rooms, of course.
16 envirosponsibleon 01 Feb 2010 at 12:52
You must have missed what I said in the video and in the comments. I’ve addressed this several times. I wasn’t using the room with the windows in it. I was using the room next to it, a room with no windows. Otherwise you’re absolutely right.
17 donepearceon 01 Feb 2010 at 13:15
To shut off a window for solar heating is just ridiculous. Far better to let the sun shine through the window and heat the room directly. That saves on lighting bills too. No; a solar heater must logically be sited where the solar power would otherwise be going to waste.
18 Nature2Energydotcomon 01 Feb 2010 at 13:44
That is so cool!
19 CodeBandeton 01 Feb 2010 at 13:56
Its not about the window. Its about the themal mass of the walls.
20 ConditionRedDawnon 01 Feb 2010 at 14:43
so how much heat can u produce in the winter time with a bright sun? how many would u need to warm a 15×15 room to 60 degrees.
21 JustAn0bserveron 01 Feb 2010 at 15:39
There are several Can heaters, Which one did you mimic??
With my last heating bill off the charts, I’m going to have a solar alternative this Winter. Do you have any temperature examples, ( in fahrenheit please ) 32C means little to some of us.
Good job
22 LucidRmoton 01 Feb 2010 at 15:39
Yea Alt E is a great place. I got a solar oven there.
I’ve been constructing my own heater with a fresnel lens on some rocks.
23 jacobchigungon 01 Feb 2010 at 16:24
Hi
Looks Great – Im going to have a go – Is your window double glazed ? I have lots of aliminium surrounded single windows Ive been saving – Would the work
24 funwithjamesson 01 Feb 2010 at 16:37
I bought the slider for 10 dollars I then took the alum that is around it off and seperated the two pieces of glass 1/4 inch glass and used only one I am now building another one to use in my house this winter. I am using 1x6x6 pine this time my heating bill in the winter has been 330 dollars a month.
25 funwithjamesson 01 Feb 2010 at 17:17
a few more comments about my system I dont have a way to put the picture on here so I cant . I I used heavy material which was a mistake 2×8 and 1×2 in plywood and 2 inch hard and alumium flashing inside and somewhere close to 300 cans washed. and painted with a high heat paint. I should have used 1×6 and not 2×8 and 1inch insulation and not 2in. to save money I found the local second hand construction store and bought the 4×8 slider for 10 dollars.