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{{courseinprogress}}
[[File:Solar Air Heater.jpg|thumb]]


<br>
{{Project data
| authors = User:HowardMech425
| completed = 2011
| made = Yes
| replicated = No
| cost = USD 95
}}


<br>  
'''Solar air heaters''' are systems that collect solar energy and transfers the heat to passing air, which is either stored or used for space heating. The collectors are often black to absorb more of the sun's energy and a conductive material, often metal, acts as a [[Heat Exchangers|heat exchanger]]. There are many different designs and systems may include fans to increase the flow rate of air. Alternatively, a passive collector can be built such that when the hot air rises it draws fresh air through the bottom. Fans can often increase the performance of the system, but require additional parts and adds complexity. Solar air heaters can compliment traditional indoor heating systems by providing a free and clean source of heat (after initial costs). While clouds effect the energy output of the system, the metal will store energy on a hot day and will reduce the impact of momentary cloud cover. To achieve best results, the system should be unshaded and facing the general direction of the sun (south for the northern hemisphere, north for the southern hemisphere).<ref>http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/S/AE_solar_air_heater.html</ref>


Solar Air Heaters
In the UK, 40% of all energy consumption was dedicated to space heating.<ref>http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file11250.pdf</ref> This percentage is the largest component of energy use and can be reduced by simply using solar air heaters as a means of enabling the sun to passively heat our in door areas without consuming the Earth's finite resources.


<br>
[[File:UK Energy Breakdown.jpg|none|450x280px|Breakdown of energy use in the UK]]


= Overview -&nbsp;  =
The financial and environmental benefits of implementing solar air heaters can be estimated through the use of this [http://www.retscreen.net/ang/g_solara.php RETScreen tool] that was created by the government of [http://canada.gc.ca/home.html Canada] and made freely available to the world.<


Solar air heaters are systems that collect solar energy and transfers the heat to passing air, which is either stored or used for space heating. The collectors are often black to absorb more of the sun's energy and a conductive material, often metal, acts as a [[Heat Exchangers|heat exchanger]]. There are many different designs and systems may include fans to increase the flow rate of air. Alternatively, a passive collector can be built such that when the hot air rises it draws fresh air through the bottom. Fans can often increase the performance of the system, but require additional parts and adds complexity. Solar air heaters can compliment traditional indoor heating systems by providing a free and clean source of heat (after initial costs). While clouds effect the energy output of the system, the metal will store energy on a hot day and will reduce the impact of momentary cloud cover. To achieve best results, the system should be unshaded and facing the general direction of the sun (south for the northern hemisphere, north for the southern hemisphere)<ref>http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/S/AE_solar_air_heater.html</ref>.
== Materials ==


<br>
There are two common methods used to create a solar air heater. The first is a pop can design and the other directs the air through a channel in a "snake" pattern. Both methods use similar materials and tools with only a few exceptions.


In the UK, 40% of all energy consumption was dedicated to space heating<ref>http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file11250.pdf</ref>. This percentage is the largest component of energy use and can be reduced by simply using solar air heaters as a means of enabling the sun to passively heat our in door areas without consuming the Earth's finite resources.
Both designs require the following materials:<ref>http://www.coloradowindpower.com/page.php?26</ref><ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20140407005834/http://transitionvictoria.ning.com:80/group/greenenergy/forum/topics/solar-air-heater-materials-and</ref>


&nbsp;
* Plywood
* Wood - 2"x4"
* Glass or plexiglass
* Sealant
* Insulation
* Black paint
* Aluminum "L" trim
* Screws
* Drill


[[Image:UK Energy Breakdown.jpg|left|450x280px|Breakdown of energy use in the UK]]<br>
To build a "snake" design, a piece of sheet metal for the base would help increase thermal mass and improve heat transfer to the passing air. Also, sand paper may be required.


&nbsp;
Alternatively, building the pop can design requires a large number of pop cans and either a mortar or glue to connect the cans.


<br>
== Three basic forms of solar air heaters ==


<br>  
=== Pop Can Design<ref>http://greenterrafirma.com/solar-air-heating.html</ref> ===


<br>
# Determine the dimensions of the unit and build a box for the number of rows of cans and to include insulation along the walls.
# Build the box to act as a base structure for the air heater. It can be built using 2" x 4" beams and plywood can act as the bottom
# Drill a hole at the top of the unit and at the bottom, make an equal number of holes as rows of cans (In the 2" by 4") to act as the inlet and outlet streams for the air. The holes should be the same size as the opening of the cans
# The box should be sealed along all edges to prevent air leaking out of the system
# Insulation can be added to reduce the amount of heat leaving the unit. The insulation is placed along the inner walls and a second application of sealant can be applied along the edges
# Wash the aluminum cans and then drill holes into the bottom of the aluminum cans or the tops and bottoms can be cut off
# Paint the box and cans black with a matt coating.
# Connect the cans in a row using glue (Tops connected to bottoms usually fits best)
# Attach the rows of cans to their respective positions in the box and add sealant around the air intake holes
# Place the sheet of glass or plexiglass on the top of the unit to complete the box and enclose the system. Fasten the material using the aluminum "L" trim.


<br>  
=== Snake Design<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20200216100355/http://www.solarsponge.com:80/article.htm</ref> ===


<br>
# Determine the dimensions of the unit and build a box to include insulation along the walls.
# Build the box to act as a base structure for the air heater. It can be built using 2" x 4" beams and plywood can act as the bottom. Alternatively, using a sheet of metal as the bottom would significantly help the unit's heat transfer properties.
# Drill a hole at the top and bottom of the unit (In the 2" by 4" or plywood) to act as the inlet and outlet streams for the air
# The box should be sealed along all edges to prevent air leaking out of the system
# Insulation can be added to reduce the amount of heat leaving the unit. The insulation is placed along the inner walls and a second application of sealant can be applied along the edges
# Add baffles by positioning additional pieces of 2" x 4" perpendicular to the air flow which do not span the entire width of the unit but alternate between touching the "left" and the "right" walls
# Paint the box and the baffles black using a matt paint
# Position the glass or plexiglass to enclose the unit and adjust the height of the baffles to create a snug fit against the glass. This can be done using sand paper or adding sealant as necessary
# Place the sheet of glass or plexiglass on the top of the unit to complete the box and enclose the system. Fasten the material using the aluminum "L" trim.


<br>  
<div></div><div>Here is a sample schematic to build the [http://web.archive.org/web/20160327032731/http://solarsponge.com/images/SolarSpongeMechanicalDrawing.gif "snake" design]</div>


<br>  
=== Down Spout Design<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20200216100355/http://www.solarsponge.com:80/article.htm</ref> ===


<br>
# Similar to the pop can design.
# Determine the dimensions of the unit and build a box for the number of rows of downspouts and to include insulation along the walls (Adding insulation to the wooden box adds very little heat and increases cost.)
# Drill a hole at the top and bottom of the unit (In the 2" by 4" or plywood) to act as the inlet and outlet streams for the air
# The box should be sealed along all edges to prevent air leaking out of the system
# Insulation can be added to reduce the amount of heat leaving the unit. The insulation is placed along the inner walls and a second application of sealant can be applied along the edges
# Add baffles by positioning additional pieces of 2" x 4" perpendicular to the air flow which do not span the entire width of the unit but alternate between touching the "left" and the "right" walls
# Paint the box and the baffles black using a matt paint
# Position the glass or plexiglass to enclose the unit and adjust the height of the baffles to create a snug fit against the glass. This can be done using sand paper or adding sealant as necessary
# Place the sheet of glass or plexiglass on the top of the unit to complete the box and enclose the system. Fasten the material using the aluminum "L" trim.


<br>
== Optimal Locations and Angles ==


<br>
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20110410192118/http://www.meteonorm.com/media/maps_online/world_global_8100.png Meteonorm] - Provides a visual reference to understand how much energy your geographic location receives from the sun
* [http://www.solarpathfinder.com/industry Solar Path Finder] - Helps determine which angle the collector should be positioned, based on your location
* [http://weatherbase.com/ Weatherbase] - Has a large database of temperature and weather data that could be helpful in learning more about your heating and cooling demands
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20111125024517/http://practicallyoffthegrid.com:80/SAH%20Analysis%20of%20high%20efficiency%20solar%20air%20heater.pdf Report on Efficiency] - An investigation into the efficiency of solar air heaters in cold climates


The financial and environmental benefits of implementing solar air heaters can be estimated through the use of this [http://www.retscreen.net/ang/g_solara.php RETScreen tool] that was created by the government of [http://canada.gc.ca/home.html Canada] and made freely available to the world.
== Estimated costs ==


<br>
The cost for to build a solar air heater varies significantly depending on whether the materials are purchased "new" or if they were salvaged. In addition, the decision between glass and plexiglass has a very large impact on total cost of the system. Finally, there are other factors such as the use of a fan, [[Solar panel|solar panels]], back-up battery, wires and sheet metal that could be incorporated in the design and would certainly increase the budget.


= Materials  =
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Item
There are two common methods used to create a solar air heater. The first is a pop can design and the other directs the air through a channel in a "snake" pattern. Both methods use similar materials and tools with only a few exceptions.&nbsp;
! Cost
 
Both designs require the following materials: <ref>http://www.coloradowindpower.com/page.php?26</ref>&nbsp;&nbsp;<ref>http://transitionvictoria.ning.com/group/greenenergy/forum/topics/solar-air-heater-materials-and</ref> &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br>
 
*Plywood&nbsp;
*Wood - 2"x4"
*Glass or plexiglass
*Sealant
*Insulation<br>
*Black paint
*Aluminum "L" trim
*Screws
*Drill
 
<br>
 
To build a "snake" design, a piece of sheet metal for the base would help increase thermal mass and improve heat transfer to the passing air.&nbsp;
 
Alternatively, building the pop can design requires a large number of pop cans and either a mortar or glue to connect the cans.&nbsp;
 
<br>
 
<br>
 
= Two basic forms of solar air heaters  =
 
=== Pop can  ===
 
=== Materials:  ===
 
<br>
 
<br>
 
<br>
 
<br>
 
<br>
 
http://greenterrafirma.com/solar-air-heating.html
 
<br>
 
Solar ”Can” Air Heater
 
This simple small passive solar heater, made from recycled aluminum drink cans, can be used to heat an insulated garage or small room. A larger heater or a number of similar heaters can be used to heat larger spaces, or to heat smaller spaces to a higher temperature.
 
<br>The box is built from 2″ x 4″ studs and a sheet of plywood, measured to tightly hold 5 rows of 10 black-painted aluminum drink cans. The inside of the box is sealed using caulk to prevent hot air from escaping. Cold air is drawn in from a hole at the bottom of the box and heated air emerges from the top passing through a pipe into the space to be heated. A Plexiglas sheet is glued to the top of the box to let sunlight in but not let the hot air escape.<br>This solar space heater works by drawing the air to be heated into the bottom can of a column of cans. The air is then heated inside the cans by the sun’s energy and the hot air within them rises upwards (thanks to convection) to be fed into a pipe which re-enters the building to be heated.
 
For the air to pass through a column of cans, holes must be drilled into them. There is already a hole at the top of each can out of which the drink is poured. That just leaves holes at the bottom of each can to be drilled. In the bottom can of each column, a 1 inch hole is drilled in the side.
 
<br>
 
The cans of each column are glued together using caulk or silicon adhesive and painted using black paint to help them absorb the sun’s energy. Barbecue,fireplace or stove paint is excellent for this as it will not flake off. Make sure it has a totally matt finish.
 
The inside of the box must also be painted with the same paint before the columns of cans are glued into position using caulk or silicon adhesive. The outside of the box should be treated with preservative, varnish, or paint to help it survive the elements for many years.
 
Ideally the whole unit will be sealed with a sheet of tempered glass. However, tempered glass (unless you can find and recycle a sheet) is also very expensive. Therefore Plexiglas (plastic) can be used, but it will degrade far more quickly and become opaque blocking out the sunlight.
 
A hole at the top of the box acts as the hot air outlet and can be connected to the building/room to be heated using an insulated pipe.
 
Required Improvements to this Design
 
“Snake” the cans together so the air travels farther and has more opportunity to take the heat from the aluminum cans.<br>Add a fan to both the intake and output sides of the unit, to move more air.<br>Insulate the box - bottom, sides and ends. One inch rigid foam is easy to work with.<br>Keep the input and output pipes short and super insulated.
<div><br></div>
<br>
 
<br>
 
<br>
 
=== "S" collector  ===
 
===  ===
 
<br>
 
<br>
 
<br>
 
<br>
 
<br>
 
<br>
 
<br>
 
<br>
 
<br>
 
== &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Regional considerations  ==
 
= <br>  =
 
= skills and knowledge required  =
 
=== Solar data (maps)<br>  ===
 
http://www.meteonorm.com/media/maps_online/world_global_8100.png
 
<br>
 
angle of collector - General rule of thumb is to place the collector at an angle equivalent to the lattitude of your location. For more details, please follow this link
 
http://www.solarpathfinder.com/industry
 
<br>
 
= technical specs (schematic)  =
 
= Estimated costs  =
 
The cost for to build a solar air heater varies significantly depending on whether the materials are purchased "new" or if they were salvaged. In addition, the decision between glass and plexiglass has a very large impact on total cost of the system. Finally, there are other factors such as the use of a fan, solar panels, back-up battery, wires and sheet metal that could be incorporated in the design and would certainly increase the budget.
 
 
 
{| width="200" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"
|-
|
'''Item'''
 
| '''Cost'''
|-
|-
| Plywood
| Plywood
Line 201: Line 118:
|}
|}


<br>Overall, a basic system can be constructed for approximately $95, which could easily be reduced by being resourceful when gathering the components.&nbsp;
Overall, a basic system can be constructed for approximately $95, which could easily be reduced by being resourceful when gathering the components. For example, see this a solar heater built using reclaimed materials: [http://web.archive.org/web/20110821150009/http://loveandtrash.com:80/2011/02/how-and-how-not-to-make-a-diy-solar-heater/ DIY solar heater on Love and Trash].
 
[[File:Solar Air Heater.jpg|right|300x380px|Homemade solar air heater using a "snake" design]]
 
== Design Problems ==
 
Natural convection during a sunny day will allow the heater to pull cool air from your room, heat it and expel it back into the room as warm air. At night and on dark cloudy days the opposite is true. The heater will pull air from your room into the "heater" it will cool it and it will fall back into your room. A solar heater needs to include the ability to completely seal off airflow. To make this heater truly useable for people that are not at home 100% of the time, the heater needs to have the ability to open the sealed vent when the temperatures reach a higher temperature than the room, with no human interaction. The same should be done with heaters equipped with a fan. The fan needs to come on and shut off automatically. Until these issues are solved in an economic way solar heaters will not find wide spread use.
 
The above assertion is not true because if it were true that a reverse air current were generated when the room was hotter than the air inside the heater, the heat extracted from the air of the room during the reverse air flow would be maintained inside the heater only for a short time as it would eventually be emitted into the same environment outside the air heater. Such environment around the heater is, of course, inside the room where the heater is located.


= Alternative designs  =
To address the possibility of reverse air flow, first consider that the hot air would need to rise through the cooler air of the heater, yet if the air were cooled on its way up to be colder than that of the room, the air would not flow up.


http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Window_Film/Solutions/Markets-Products/Residential/Safety-Security_Window_Films/<br>
To consider downward air flow, yes it is true that cold air settles when displaced by warmer air. The heater will not have cooler air because we assume the heater is completely inside the room and so there can be no "loss" of heat by the heater in relation to the room because if it gives up heat it will be giving it up to the room. If the heater were to share its plastic surface with an outside window, then there could be a current at night as the heat inside the heater is exchanged to the outside via the window acting as heat exchanger.


http://www.solarsponge.com/article.htm
== Alternative designs ==


http://www.solarsponge.com/images/SolarSpongeMechanicalDrawing.gif
To improve the durability of your unit, a [http://web.archive.org/web/20160808144437/http://solutions.3m.com:80/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Window_Film/Solutions/Markets-Products/Residential/Safety-Security_Window_Films/ protective coating] can be added to the glass to improve its expected life due to the elements.


<br>
You can also try to increase turbulence to the air flow by adding [http://web.archive.org/web/20180723020101/http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/burywsd/beercanheater/ deflectors] to the pop cans. This should help increase the [[heat transfer]] from the metal to the air.


= Videos  =
Also, feel free to consult or contribute to any of the following online forums about solar air heaters:
Here are a couple videos to help you build a solar air heater and maybe even get inspired to improve the designs.


{{#widget:YouTube|id=QLNViUsRCVU}}
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20110410154117/http://www.ata.org.au/forums/topic/solar-heating-cooling-systems Alternative Technology Assn Forums]
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20111113050320/http://www.solarpowerforum.net:80/forumVB/solar-heating/2498-soda-can-furnace-most-efficient-cutting-pattern-cans.html SolarPowerForum.net]
* [http://www.instructables.com/id/Almost-Free-Solar-Hot-Air-Collector/# Instructables]
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20140407005834/http://transitionvictoria.ning.com:80/group/greenenergy/forum/topics/solar-air-heater-materials-and Transition Victoria: A Regional Initiative]


== Videos ==


Here are a couple instructional videos to help you build a solar air heater and maybe even get inspired to improve the designs.


{{#widget:YouTube|id=pXYaO596cgY&amp;feature=related}}<br>
{{Video|QLNViUsRCVU}}


<br>
{{Video|pXYaO596cgY}}


== Footnotes  ==
== References ==


<references />
<references />
{{Page data
| keywords = Glass, Insulation, Paint, Wood, solar, air heater
| sdg = SDG07 Affordable and clean energy, SDG11 Sustainable cities and communities, SDG12 Responsible consumption and production
| published = 2011
| license = CC-BY-SA-3.0
| language = en
}}
[[Category:Appropriate technology]]
[[Category:Built environment]]
[[Category:Green living]]
[[Category:Design]]
[[Category:CMAS801]]
[[Category:Solar]]
[[Category:Paint]]
[[Category:Wood]]

Latest revision as of 14:42, 23 October 2023

Solar Air Heater.jpg
FA info icon.svg Angle down icon.svg Project data
Authors Howard Swartz
Completed 2011
Made Yes
Replicated No
Cost USD 95
OKH Manifest Download

Solar air heaters are systems that collect solar energy and transfers the heat to passing air, which is either stored or used for space heating. The collectors are often black to absorb more of the sun's energy and a conductive material, often metal, acts as a heat exchanger. There are many different designs and systems may include fans to increase the flow rate of air. Alternatively, a passive collector can be built such that when the hot air rises it draws fresh air through the bottom. Fans can often increase the performance of the system, but require additional parts and adds complexity. Solar air heaters can compliment traditional indoor heating systems by providing a free and clean source of heat (after initial costs). While clouds effect the energy output of the system, the metal will store energy on a hot day and will reduce the impact of momentary cloud cover. To achieve best results, the system should be unshaded and facing the general direction of the sun (south for the northern hemisphere, north for the southern hemisphere).[1]

In the UK, 40% of all energy consumption was dedicated to space heating.[2] This percentage is the largest component of energy use and can be reduced by simply using solar air heaters as a means of enabling the sun to passively heat our in door areas without consuming the Earth's finite resources.

Breakdown of energy use in the UK
Breakdown of energy use in the UK

The financial and environmental benefits of implementing solar air heaters can be estimated through the use of this RETScreen tool that was created by the government of Canada and made freely available to the world.<

Materials[edit | edit source]

There are two common methods used to create a solar air heater. The first is a pop can design and the other directs the air through a channel in a "snake" pattern. Both methods use similar materials and tools with only a few exceptions.

Both designs require the following materials:[3][4]

  • Plywood
  • Wood - 2"x4"
  • Glass or plexiglass
  • Sealant
  • Insulation
  • Black paint
  • Aluminum "L" trim
  • Screws
  • Drill

To build a "snake" design, a piece of sheet metal for the base would help increase thermal mass and improve heat transfer to the passing air. Also, sand paper may be required.

Alternatively, building the pop can design requires a large number of pop cans and either a mortar or glue to connect the cans.

Three basic forms of solar air heaters[edit | edit source]

Pop Can Design[5][edit | edit source]

  1. Determine the dimensions of the unit and build a box for the number of rows of cans and to include insulation along the walls.
  2. Build the box to act as a base structure for the air heater. It can be built using 2" x 4" beams and plywood can act as the bottom
  3. Drill a hole at the top of the unit and at the bottom, make an equal number of holes as rows of cans (In the 2" by 4") to act as the inlet and outlet streams for the air. The holes should be the same size as the opening of the cans
  4. The box should be sealed along all edges to prevent air leaking out of the system
  5. Insulation can be added to reduce the amount of heat leaving the unit. The insulation is placed along the inner walls and a second application of sealant can be applied along the edges
  6. Wash the aluminum cans and then drill holes into the bottom of the aluminum cans or the tops and bottoms can be cut off
  7. Paint the box and cans black with a matt coating.
  8. Connect the cans in a row using glue (Tops connected to bottoms usually fits best)
  9. Attach the rows of cans to their respective positions in the box and add sealant around the air intake holes
  10. Place the sheet of glass or plexiglass on the top of the unit to complete the box and enclose the system. Fasten the material using the aluminum "L" trim.

Snake Design[6][edit | edit source]

  1. Determine the dimensions of the unit and build a box to include insulation along the walls.
  2. Build the box to act as a base structure for the air heater. It can be built using 2" x 4" beams and plywood can act as the bottom. Alternatively, using a sheet of metal as the bottom would significantly help the unit's heat transfer properties.
  3. Drill a hole at the top and bottom of the unit (In the 2" by 4" or plywood) to act as the inlet and outlet streams for the air
  4. The box should be sealed along all edges to prevent air leaking out of the system
  5. Insulation can be added to reduce the amount of heat leaving the unit. The insulation is placed along the inner walls and a second application of sealant can be applied along the edges
  6. Add baffles by positioning additional pieces of 2" x 4" perpendicular to the air flow which do not span the entire width of the unit but alternate between touching the "left" and the "right" walls
  7. Paint the box and the baffles black using a matt paint
  8. Position the glass or plexiglass to enclose the unit and adjust the height of the baffles to create a snug fit against the glass. This can be done using sand paper or adding sealant as necessary
  9. Place the sheet of glass or plexiglass on the top of the unit to complete the box and enclose the system. Fasten the material using the aluminum "L" trim.
Here is a sample schematic to build the "snake" design

Down Spout Design[7][edit | edit source]

  1. Similar to the pop can design.
  2. Determine the dimensions of the unit and build a box for the number of rows of downspouts and to include insulation along the walls (Adding insulation to the wooden box adds very little heat and increases cost.)
  3. Drill a hole at the top and bottom of the unit (In the 2" by 4" or plywood) to act as the inlet and outlet streams for the air
  4. The box should be sealed along all edges to prevent air leaking out of the system
  5. Insulation can be added to reduce the amount of heat leaving the unit. The insulation is placed along the inner walls and a second application of sealant can be applied along the edges
  6. Add baffles by positioning additional pieces of 2" x 4" perpendicular to the air flow which do not span the entire width of the unit but alternate between touching the "left" and the "right" walls
  7. Paint the box and the baffles black using a matt paint
  8. Position the glass or plexiglass to enclose the unit and adjust the height of the baffles to create a snug fit against the glass. This can be done using sand paper or adding sealant as necessary
  9. Place the sheet of glass or plexiglass on the top of the unit to complete the box and enclose the system. Fasten the material using the aluminum "L" trim.

Optimal Locations and Angles[edit | edit source]

  • Meteonorm - Provides a visual reference to understand how much energy your geographic location receives from the sun
  • Solar Path Finder - Helps determine which angle the collector should be positioned, based on your location
  • Weatherbase - Has a large database of temperature and weather data that could be helpful in learning more about your heating and cooling demands
  • Report on Efficiency - An investigation into the efficiency of solar air heaters in cold climates

Estimated costs[edit | edit source]

The cost for to build a solar air heater varies significantly depending on whether the materials are purchased "new" or if they were salvaged. In addition, the decision between glass and plexiglass has a very large impact on total cost of the system. Finally, there are other factors such as the use of a fan, solar panels, back-up battery, wires and sheet metal that could be incorporated in the design and would certainly increase the budget.

Item Cost
Plywood $20
Wood Beams $15
Glass or Plexiglass $40
Sealant $5
Insulation $5
Black Paint $5
Aluminum "L" Trim $3
Screws $2

Overall, a basic system can be constructed for approximately $95, which could easily be reduced by being resourceful when gathering the components. For example, see this a solar heater built using reclaimed materials: DIY solar heater on Love and Trash.

Homemade solar air heater using a "snake" design
Homemade solar air heater using a "snake" design

Design Problems[edit | edit source]

Natural convection during a sunny day will allow the heater to pull cool air from your room, heat it and expel it back into the room as warm air. At night and on dark cloudy days the opposite is true. The heater will pull air from your room into the "heater" it will cool it and it will fall back into your room. A solar heater needs to include the ability to completely seal off airflow. To make this heater truly useable for people that are not at home 100% of the time, the heater needs to have the ability to open the sealed vent when the temperatures reach a higher temperature than the room, with no human interaction. The same should be done with heaters equipped with a fan. The fan needs to come on and shut off automatically. Until these issues are solved in an economic way solar heaters will not find wide spread use.

The above assertion is not true because if it were true that a reverse air current were generated when the room was hotter than the air inside the heater, the heat extracted from the air of the room during the reverse air flow would be maintained inside the heater only for a short time as it would eventually be emitted into the same environment outside the air heater. Such environment around the heater is, of course, inside the room where the heater is located.

To address the possibility of reverse air flow, first consider that the hot air would need to rise through the cooler air of the heater, yet if the air were cooled on its way up to be colder than that of the room, the air would not flow up.

To consider downward air flow, yes it is true that cold air settles when displaced by warmer air. The heater will not have cooler air because we assume the heater is completely inside the room and so there can be no "loss" of heat by the heater in relation to the room because if it gives up heat it will be giving it up to the room. If the heater were to share its plastic surface with an outside window, then there could be a current at night as the heat inside the heater is exchanged to the outside via the window acting as heat exchanger.

Alternative designs[edit | edit source]

To improve the durability of your unit, a protective coating can be added to the glass to improve its expected life due to the elements.

You can also try to increase turbulence to the air flow by adding deflectors to the pop cans. This should help increase the heat transfer from the metal to the air.

Also, feel free to consult or contribute to any of the following online forums about solar air heaters:

Videos[edit | edit source]

Here are a couple instructional videos to help you build a solar air heater and maybe even get inspired to improve the designs.

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References[edit | edit source]

FA info icon.svg Angle down icon.svg Page data
Keywords glass, insulation, paint, wood, solar, air heater
SDG SDG07 Affordable and clean energy, SDG11 Sustainable cities and communities, SDG12 Responsible consumption and production
Authors Howard Swartz, Peter, Fiona Connor
License CC-BY-SA-3.0
Language English (en)
Translations Persian, Turkish
Related 2 subpages, 11 pages link here
Impact 4,292 page views
Created January 30, 2011 by Howard Swartz
Modified October 23, 2023 by StandardWikitext bot
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