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Learn about the benefits, installation, and maintenance of active solar air heating systems. Find out how to make informed decisions and optimize efficiency for your home heating needs.
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Active Solar Air Heating By: Mitchell French
Objective • Give the class enough knowledge to make intelligent decisions regarding this heating system
Collection • Solar Collectors Gather heat • Air is the absorbing fluid • Air moves directly into house or stores in rock storage bin • Air circulated through house using ducts • If excess heated air, stored in container • If not enough heat, backup heating system activates (traditional system)
Panels • Must be pointed towards true south • Point where sun is at its highest • This usually equates to your latitude +15° • Leniency of about 20° • Should not be placed in shaded area • Do not have to be placed on roof
Distribution • Fans move air through ducts in house • Large ducts allow the air to move slower and therefore feel warmer • An “Air Handler” decides where the air will go • From collectors to house • From collectors to storage container • From storage container to house
Ducts • Large due to lower temperature of air • Must move more air to make up for lower temperature • Must maximize the efficiency of fans • Requires insulation so no heat is lost (R-16) • Average system moves air at a speed of 1.5 to 3 m/s
Storage Container Build • Lined with rocks on the bottom to absorb heat • Quartz most common type of stone • Larger than required for fluid system • Can be stored inside, basement, or underground outside
Storage Container System • Heated air enters through plenum at top • Rocks absorb heat from air • Air enters through bottom, heats as it rises and gets distributed to house • If air going to house: • Enters through bottom plenum • Absorbs heat as it rises • Fans circulate air through house
Properties of Container • Materials: Cinderblock, Concrete, Wood • Must be sealed to preserve efficiency • Usually installed in crawlspaces or basements • Should have ½ to 1 ft3 for every ft2 of collector • Should be 5 to 7 feet deep • Temperature: top-140°F (60 °C) bottom-70°F (21.1°C)
Advantages / Disadvantages • Advantages: • If there is a leak in the system, it is less important than if one occurs in a liquid system • More effective during the day than the liquid system • Can heat air earlier and later in the day • Air systems do not freeze like is possibly with liquid systems • Disadvantages • Much more space required
Maintenance • Check ducts for leaks that could reduce performance • Make sure collectors are clear • Clean air filters for more efficient flow of air • Lubricate pumps and fans • Empty Storage Bin in summer
Installation • Depends on Container location • Hard to upgrade existing house • Must plan to use air solar heating from beginning
Partial Systems • No storage container • Collector panels not as large • Collector Panels placed directly on wall • Same principle as full system, but no storage • Collectors are relatively small • Simpler to install • fits in existing window
Conclusion • Size makes it cumbersome • Requires precise installation
References • http://www.healthgoods.com/Education/Energy_Information/Renewable_Energy/heating_with_active_solar.htm • http://www.newenergy.org/sesci/publications/pamphlets/active.html • http://www.solarenergysociety.ca/2003/active.asp • http://www.canren.gc.ca/programs/index.asp?CaID=60&PgID=141 • http://bathrooms.bobvila.com/Article/743.html