A simple solar heater that is cheap and easy to make. When there is direct sun on the unit it produces heat like a hair dryer.
According to the creator it produces a stream of air of around 120 degrees.
Some suggested tips for improvement:
– Make sure your black paint is matte so it doesn’t reflect the sun.
– The air moves by convection, however, you could add a small computer fan on the outlet and wire it to a 12 volt solar cell the unit to control the air rate.
– The intake size could be adjusted to control air rate as well. Making the intake smaller will give the air time to heat up while passing through the dryer ducting but it will slow down the rate of air flow. You can run it hot and slower or with more air and not as warm.
– A flat plate could be added between the intake tube and inside wall up to a little pulley inside the house. You could then adjust the air rate like this as well and have an on/off option.
– Add insulation to help maintain heat running through the system. Could prove vital for very cold areas.
ok I live in the north west and this would be a waste of money to me as if I had direct sunlight I wouldn’t need a heater. it would work for summer hot water only.
Excuse my stupidity, maybe I should read the article..But, how well does it work on cloudy days of winter time??
Kinda cool. Err warm that is
Carlos, it does not work on cloudy days. And of course you would NOT want it connected on a sunny day during the summer.
HS Kennels Pete Studer check this out…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzXfXTeYdV4
Ever wonder why, who and how solar panels and related technology is STILL so expensive to acquire and implement?!? We know some poor Chinese dude is chained to a machine overseas and is paid .45 a day… yet “they” artificially keep the cost HIGH. Keepers of the energy cash cows are terrified that we all could harness the FREE energy from our sun
i don’t need any heat in july and aug around here
Better how AC work with solar panels
Wouldn’t it make more sense just to install a window