Mr5cott wrote:In reading this post, I am wondering why you don't incorporate the use of a passive solar collector? Easy to build with minimal materials. You can also incorporate the use of a solar powered fan with a thermostat to pump more air through the unit. Some argue that while it provides some great heat during the day, it is not much use at night.
I have built a solar heat collector myself and I have it vented underneath my home. To make use of the heat at night, simply build a box of rocks so to speak(like a battery) to store the heat. Build a large wooden crate, fill the crate with rocks and vent the heat from the solar collector into the bottom of crate. As the heated air flows into the crate the heat rises. As the heat rises the rocks absorb the heat all day long (Thermal mass) then it is slowly released during the evening. Obviously the larger the crate of rocks the more storage you will have.
This design could also be implemented in your home or building if you have the Solar collector venting in through a window or even a wall. Just some ideas that might help. It works for me in the mountains of Colorado at 8,500 feet above sea level.
The rocks are a good idea, but moving hot air through for heat transfer is going to have high losses. Build the passive solar collector to heat water and run that to a tank/bladder below the house. There will be less losses and depending on the temperatures reached, it could be pumped to radiators for targeted heating. This system can then be added to, so that heat could be scavenged from elsewhere or dedicated heat sources added in time.
