Solar Heat Box

My better half made this solar heat box (& greenhouse and coldframe). Here's my attempt to show how this provides supplemental heat for our house.

centervilletn video "Solar Pop Can/ Corrogated roofing Hybrid Heater"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZZeC3_syf8

Category:

Education

Tags:

• solar
• heat
• box
• greenhouse
• coldframe
• renewable
• energy

[Kdog54902]

The air should not pass along the glass. It should pass behind the absorber plate and the absorber plate should be behind the glass.

[lloydmer]

@Kdog54902 You are probably right. I realize something like centervilletn's model where he uses pop cans to slow down air while it heats up would also increase the heating capacity. I just need to figure out how to convey this to the significant other without bruising his ego.

[steviebboy69]

looks like a good idea, i have always wanted to make one of these. how cold does it get where you are and what temps do you get out of it.

nice little greenhouse you have there too.

[lloydmer]

@steviebboy69 winter temps range between 20-40 F, although each year it dips to around 0 F for a few days. however, rather than outside temp, the amount of direct sunshine on the glass seems to have a greater effect. i haven't measured the temp, but the metal vent where air flows into the house will become hot to the touch. i think it could get even hotter if we used pop cans inside the box to slow the air down as it heats, which u might see in other vids. on cloudy days, we use a wood stove

[centervilletn]

It looks great ! you will love the results you get...

[lloydmer]

yes, especially since it's practically free and there's no recurring bill!

[lloydmer]

So far I've had more success starting plants in warmer weather and then covering them in the fall or starting them inside when it's cold, and then transplanting them to the cold frame. Last year I had a good crop of swiss chard I kept going most of the winter in the cold frame. This year celery became a priority - but I think I'll transplant some chard to the frame soon as well. I'll try to do a video about the cold frame and cool weather gardening within a few weeks.

[lloydmer]

It was built in the summer of '08 so we've had it one winter. We're already using it this year too- since about the end of Sept. It's certainly not our main heat source, and it doesn't work on very cloudy days, but it does help warm up the room it vents on chilly but sunny days. The metal on the top register can get very hot to the touch when it cranks!

[centervilletn]

i added your video as a link in my video...your heater really looks great...have you used it yet or has your weather been too mild so far?

[centervilletn]

i really like the cold frame too..do you think you could grow salad greens?