ST solar heat final.mpg

The numbers are in!! Despite the increase in utility costs and a brutally long and cold winter season, both panels have done extremely well at keeping my bills low.
Here are the numbers you've been waiting for. I have to say I'm very pleased at the amount of free heat they provide.

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[apaulanarius]

Thanks for sharing the videos on your solar heaters. In the video showing the second panel installed, I noticed a metal track attached to the lower front side of the panels. Were they put in place to secure some type of sun shield when you don't desire heat?

[matrixm777]

@apaulanarius That is correct. You have a good eye... I put a panel on during the summer months just to keep any heat from building up as well as protection from the weather.

[peacepalace]

This goes nice with your house. The saving sound impressive, something like 400$.

[matrixm777]

@peacepalace Thanks for the kind words. Great savings plus a very comfortable home...

[mlg779]

2. Two years ago my Gas +Electric bill for the whole year was 1872.72$;

3. One year ago after I installed the heat panel went down to 1625.55$

4. This year before the winter, I bought some masking tape and taped all the windows frames ( which are made from metal) in such way that I could not even open them anymore. Because the windows are 10 years old a lot of cold air was coming in because the windows are kind of lose.

This year I am down to 1362.69$.

[matrixm777]

@mlg779 That's fantastic!! Congrats on saving so much!!

[MitchBerelli]

@matrixm777- I am in the process of building a solar heater like this but scaled down to about half the size for testing purposes and because I just wanted to see if I could get it to work - anyway, I was wondering if there was a way I could make contact with you via email to ask a few questions about yours. Would you be willing to do this?

[mlg779]

@mlg779 An watching again your video i think that you don't need the third panel; you just need more insulation, not to lose the heat, because 2 panels give more than enough heat.

[matrixm777]

@MarcMasonMusic My only concern would be the weight...otherwise the concept is great. Thanks for sharing...

[MarcMasonMusic]

I was going to try having cans in every other row half full of sand for heat storage. This would be more useful at night. Trying this with one of your heaters could save you even more. One for day, one for night? You could even substitute every other row with bricks.

[matrixm777]

@dontlookatme9999 I'm glad to hear you're heat results. Sounds like you built it well. Keep in mind as the cooler air is circulating through the panel, the output will not be as concentrated so you won't have to be concerned with the extreme heat.

Unfortunately, I don't have any contacts for a tracker control device.

[dontlookatme9999]

I placed my heater on my deck and tested for the first time. Wow, you can't put your hand on the outlet.. I need some form of flexible pipe to connect to my hard pipe? I can't find anything that will take the heat. Also can you steer me to anyone that can make me a east to west tracker control that i can connect to a actuator, Thanks for all the help

[mlg779]

Thank you very much, man since january I was waiting for this numbers.Last winter was also colder than previous year. You should look also at terms used for both years and also can calculate from this year to next year because I don't think can be colder than previous year.

[matrixm777]

@slacker361 I'm not positive, but I think it's around 1100 sq feet...

[slacker361]

great job , what is the square feet of you home that you are heating with solar?

[d3adp001]

@matrixm777 thank you the info, i have been thinking about this, this is helpful

[matrixm777]

@d3adp001 Therms usage for 08-09 was 335. from 09-10 it dropped to 318 therms. 1 therm = 100,000 btu. That puts me at 17 therms less than the previous year or 1.7 million btu lower usage. Note: The last cold season was very long and bitterly cold.

Also... therm usage the year prior to any panels being installed was 462...

[matrixm777]

@preparedchipmunk It is definetly worth the investment. Thanks...

[preparedchipmunk]

I;m really glad you posted this. One thing that might have happened also is that you used more electric for air conditioning. Here in northern IL its been a lot warmer than last year. You could probably say that you would have had an increase of 2-300 dollars without the 2nd panel. In any case I bet it paid for itself. From now on you are likely paying about half of what you would have without them. Congrats!!!!

[boat6868]

Very nice install.

[matrixm777]

@MarcMasonMusic I'm thinking I have about 1100 square feet. The heat gets distributed throughout the entire house very well because I turn the furnace blower on and it circulates through the return air vents.

Tips: If you can run the ductwork directly through the heat panel it may provide for more even distribution, but keep in mind...cold air will fill the heater during the evening hours.