Author Topic: Solar heater  (Read 73 times)

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Offline CG

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Solar heater
« on: March 10, 2021, 09:48:24 am »
I've been kicking around this idea for some years. Just thought I'd publish it here, maybe generate some more ideas from it.
It consists of a solar collector that heats water and then stores it in an insulated box in the basement of a home.
The collector is made from coils of PEX tubing , painted black that is inside a glazed box outside, facing the sun.

The storage container is a  styrofoam box with 6 inch thick walls, built in the corner of the basement. two sides being reinforced by the basement walls, the other two sides by 2x4 construction.
The sun would heat the water to about 140 degrees F, it would decend into the tank for night time storage, or used at once by being pumped through a heat exchanger coil that is in the forced-air duct work. At night the water could be allowed to drain out of the collector coils and stored in the tank.

My diagram>>>https://www.dropbox.com/s/8ylu10v4w1lpo0g/IMG_20210310_094647_563.jpg?dl=0

like this collector>>>

« Last Edit: April 15, 2021, 06:53:48 am by CG »

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Offline Jswm

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Re: Solar heater
« Reply #1 on: March 10, 2021, 05:39:18 pm »
I'm sure  it  would  help  but a furnace  usually  puts out  130 to 140 degree  air so unless  you  had 100 percent  efficient  heat exchange the air  would  feel  cold  at 95 degree  at heat  register  but  at least  you  would  get some  heat  out of it

Offline CG

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Re: Solar heater
« Reply #2 on: March 10, 2021, 05:46:29 pm »
Maybe put the heat exchanger in the room register vents.

Offline CG

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Re: Solar heater
« Reply #3 on: March 11, 2021, 09:34:51 am »
It's much better than this dangerous idea.


Offline Jswm

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Re: Solar heater
« Reply #4 on: March 13, 2021, 06:36:52 pm »
I agree  !
  Your  idea  will  work  as a supplement  heat source. Give it a try  but  it's hard to beat  natural gas  for  cost