Build a solar air heater on the cheap

December 14th, 2007 | Category: DIY

Although the cost of natural gas continued to escalate that year, those looking to heat their domiciles using some type of alternative energy probably investigated solar capability in some style. Did you? I have a neighbor who uses solar energy to heat his water heater (and has for years) and he saves a wallop in gas costs using the sun as his source for that dawn hot shower.

Even whether that is not on your horizon, heating one or more of the rooms in your home using captured solar rays is great concept whether you’re into some tinkering with aluminum cans and such.

Now, warning: I’m

not certain whether that project will generate the kind of instant heat we’re mostly accustomed to with gas-fired furnaces, but it’s interesting nonetheless. Aluminum is a great conductor of heat, so the premise of an air heater using aluminum cans sounds like a tempting notion, to see whether it works or even to debunk it.

If you decide to try that plywood, plexiglass and aluminum can heater project, let us know how it works. Note: the space you want to hat should already be well-insulated or the effectiveness of any solar air heater will be minimally noticed.