Simple Thoughts “Free Solar Heat”
I have re-released this video because I unknowingly infringed on someone in the original intro. This video shows the installed heat panel and will give you some preliminary numbers.
This series was created to openly share money saving ideas. I encourage you to use what you can and build from it. Giving is more important than taking.
Thanks for watching.
Duration : 0:2:45
free solar |diy solar|residential solar|diy solar panels
Bookmark
Related Posts
August 3, 2009
1:22 pm
Thanks jason,
I …
Thanks jason,
I don’t have it rigged to shut down in the summer yet, but the sun is considerably higher during the summer months and won’t shine directly on the panel. I hope to build a cover for it this fall or winter.
The exterior vent sounds good. Didn’t think of that. I have a smaller home so the temps are pretty easy to manage.
August 3, 2009
1:22 pm
This is probably …
This is probably one of the best passive solar projects that I have seen on youtube for the average person. I have two questions. Do you have the panel rigged to shut down during the summer to eliminate heat gain during the warm months? Have you considered putting an exterior vent at the top in addition to the interior vent so that you can use the heat of the sum to pull warm air out the south wall and cooler air in from somewhere on the norht of your house?
August 3, 2009
1:22 pm
I have heard of …
I have heard of them…
Pretty pricey, but for those who don’t have the time or skills to put one together, it’s a great option.
MIne cost about $250.
August 3, 2009
1:22 pm
Hey, I have to tell …
Hey, I have to tell you this one you won’t believe! I was in shock! Our local tv news provider in our area did a 10 minute segment on alternative energy. This home owner in PA bought one pre made, I can use the name because you can find it on youtube and they used the name on the segment. Cansolair. They mounted it on his roof, home owners loved it! Ok, ready? hear it comes…. it cost him $4,000 dollars! Are the rest of us doing something wrong? There’s are made from cans to……..
August 3, 2009
1:22 pm
Even in relation to …
Even in relation to the back of your house, the sun still comes up in the East and goes down in the West. =)
August 3, 2009
1:22 pm
Thanks Tim,
No …
Thanks Tim,
No problems at all with luan. It is not exposed to the elements because it’s covered by two layers of insulation and secured against the house.
I installed it like the back of a book shelf… light weight, but firm enough to hold the shape of the frame.
I recommend it…
August 3, 2009
1:22 pm
Great install! The …
Great install! The cleanest I have seen so far. Have you had any problem with the luan in the back? I cant see that being good in the elements but would use it if I could get away with it…Did you cover it or seal it? Thanks!
August 3, 2009
1:22 pm
Thanks w4f20,
Good …
Thanks w4f20,
Good luck with your build. I look forward to seeing a video of your finished product.
August 3, 2009
1:22 pm
Great video! I to …
Great video! I to have started to collect my cans that i have been foollishly putting in the recylcling bin and will have one, no many built for this fall as well. I live in a area were the sun comes up from east to west in relation to the front of the house and our living room. The summer sun is a killer.
God bless and great work!
August 3, 2009
1:22 pm
Thanks fullspeed,
…
Thanks fullspeed,
I’m hoping to build a second one to put beside the first.
The one has worked so well last winter, I want to pump in the heated air from two units to really warm the house up into the night.
Good luck with your builds…
August 3, 2009
1:22 pm
Well done. Looks …
Well done. Looks excellent too. Ive started collecting cans and wil have one built for fall. I showed my dad your videos and he wants to build one for his house also. Thank you for your straight forward details.
August 3, 2009
1:22 pm
I am using a …
I am using a register booster from my local hardware store. It has a thermostat built right in and when the temp rises, the fan kicks on, moving the heated air into the house.
It just plugs into the wall.
Thanks for watching.
August 3, 2009
1:22 pm
Great tutorial, I …
Great tutorial, I am in the process of building my own solar panels. Next I plan to build my own solar heater. I was just wondering what kind of fan you used for this project, and how you are powering it? And thank you for a very educational and detailed video.
August 3, 2009
1:22 pm
I think it would be …
I think it would be more difficult to make work, but it would still produce heat. Pop/beer cans are also much thinner, allowing the heat to pass through easier and faster.
August 3, 2009
1:22 pm
hey is this also …
hey is this also possible with like pork & bean tin cans? They don’t have the curve like pop and beer cans, but what about the heat absorbing factor?
August 3, 2009
1:22 pm
Thanks …
Thanks dedicated2excel,
I’m planning to put a cover over the panel to prevent heat from building up.
I look forward to hearing back from you if you think of other ideas.
August 3, 2009
1:22 pm
Hey thanks for the …
Hey thanks for the info. I’m in the process of making one as well, I wondered if you installed a shut off valve for the summer seasons. I’m also trying to think of other ways to use the solar heater during the summer seasons, I’ll get back to you if I have any ideas on that, once again great video.
August 3, 2009
1:22 pm
Thank YOU for …
Thank YOU for sharing your simple, but great ideas. Here in mexico I see a lot of potential for these kind of heat supplies.
In winter it is too cold inside. This will change for me : – )
August 3, 2009
1:22 pm
Thanks,
You raise …
Thanks,
You raise a valid point about water pipes in the unit. Winter nights can get pretty cold and freezing could be a huge problem…
August 3, 2009
1:22 pm
Awesome job on the …
Awesome job on the video and panel!!!! I thought of water pipes interleaved with the cans but it would have to be a closed system with antifreeze. I think its a good idea but I opted out of doing it mainly because I didn’t feel it would heat both air and water well as each medium would compete for available BTUs. I may take my test panel apart and retrofit to test. I will post any results. Drilling the cans left a nice lip for RTV. No mess on the outside. Paint wont stick to RTV.
August 3, 2009
1:22 pm
Thanks Nigel,
I …
Thanks Nigel,
I thought about running water pipe through the center of the can tubes too. It’s a good idea and I think it would work. Hot water and air from one unit.
August 3, 2009
1:22 pm
Excellent video, I …
Excellent video, I am starting to build one at weekend and have got lots of ideas from yourself. As I am useless at woodwork So I have decided to use an old sunbed canopy and turn the concave cover over to convex and it has a generous amount of fans built in. Do you think I could also run water piping behind the cans and get hot water as well? I am in the UK where sunbeds are plenty and really cheap. I paid just 15 pounds for mine. Thanks again, Nigel
August 3, 2009
1:22 pm
The sun is higher …
The sun is higher in the sky during the summer months so the box does not generate heat as in the winter, but I will cover anyway.
I’m hoping to build solar cells this year too…
August 3, 2009
1:22 pm
Does this box get …
Does this box get too hot in the summer and have to be removed or covered? Would be nice to be able to stick a solar cell over the heater in the summer to help with a/c bills.
August 3, 2009
1:22 pm
Thanks… I thought …
Thanks… I thought about using dryer duct. It would make the building process so much easier.
My recent heat bill was $60 less than a comparable home. Not bad, but I would like that to be better.