Solar Box Heater
Solar energy can be used in many ways even to heat your home. In this easy DIY Handyman solution, the idea here is to put solar box window heaters in south facing windows during the winter to supplement your heat needs. The beauty of a solar box window heater is you can make one of these for around or even less then $100.00.
How a Solar Box Window Heater Is Built
The basic idea here is that the cold air is drawn into the lower slotted chamber and warmed as it passes through the chamber over the black heat collector. As the air warms it rises and enters back into the room through the upper chamber to help heat the house and lower cost.
The heat collector should be spaced 3″ or 4″ in the center of the box so there is space above and below the heat collector. Using dowel rods or brackets to hold the collector up. The heat collector could be made from almost any metal and painted flat black. A more efficient heat collector can be made from a thin aluminum or steel painted flat black, mounted 3/4″ of a inch above a heavy foam board. You can use some 3/4″ dowel rods or metal bracket between the aluminum or steel panel and the foam board.
It is very important that the bottom and sides of the box be insulated with a foam board to improve air flow and prevent heat loss. It is also very important that the entire box be weather tight using a silicone caulk to prevent any moisture from entering as the moisture will reduce the efficiency of the box. The top of the box should be a clear top, either a sheet of clear Plexiglas or better yet an insulated window pane.
This is one DIY improvement project that could help offset your winter gas or heating bills and also help out the environment. Some of the more efficient solar box heaters can produce a steady 120 degree air flow on a warm and sunny day.
