The warm summer months never last forever. Soon it’s time to look for a way to bring a little extra warmth into the home and this simple solar heater is a great project to do just that. It’s made of metal cans, steel or aluminum, and can produce a surprisingly strong and consistent airflow upwards of 140F.
Even on a heavy snow day you’re looking at somewhere around 75-85F.
Best of all, this simple project requires just a few common parts and many of them can simply be re-purposed from your regular recycling. Watch the project come together in the fully-detailed video on the NEXT PAGE:
Very cool
Have built 2 that work well… I installed an intake and an exhaust fan… If covered end to end with lexan/plexigl$#%&!@*, snow doesn’t adhere for long as the inside heat melts the snow directly touching the lexan, causing the entire m$#%&!@* to slide off… Tested in Oklahoma winters… I also run my fans from a solar panel mostly, but have the option to use an old DC 12v adapter from an old printer… I have found thru testing that flat enamel paint transfers the most heat (170 +- 5) compared to (140-150) on several other types of paints… Flat texture transfers heat better than glossy. 23 degree outside and maintained 66-68 degrees alone.
I’ve read some of the ridiculous comments hating on this DIY system, and for those I have this comment. If you can save money with a VERY low cost, and easy to build apparatus, wouldn’t it make sense? It wasn’t conceived to eliminate your need for electricity or heating systems, it was meant to have you run your heater for supplemental heat, causing it to not work as hard, thus saving you money. And as proof of it, annual electricity costs to maintain a small herd during winter were reduced by nearly $475, with 2 consecutive years since installation. Condemn what you wish, but this is an effective and low cost way to save hundreds per year.
Very interesting!!!
Ricky Brick Brignac, where do you use these? Where are they installed?
PS-I think they’re very clever, I love low-cost money and natural resource savers. I’d love some solar panels but do t know where to start or if they’re affordable.
Just buy an Eden pure heater. Best electric heater in the world.
made one mine has a fan hooked to a thermostat they dont make the room hot but they do take the chill off the room
Cool thanks
I intend to make one this summer. It will be slightly different. Already gave the cans. Now to find time to drill the four hundred bazillions holes in the can bottoms.
This is a waste of time if you live in the northern states. Lol. Just saying.
Nope it will work in northern states too you just have to have direct sunlight