Active Solar Space Heating

Solar Air Heating Systems

Solar air heating systems use air as the working fluid for absorbing and transferring solar energy through a residence.

What are my Options?

Room Air Heaters. Air collectors can be installed on a roof or an exterior (south facing) wall for heating one or more rooms. The collector has an airtight and insulated metal frame and a black metal plate for absorbing heat. Solar radiation heats the plate that, in turn, heats the air in the collector. An electrically powered fan or blower pulls air from the room through the collector, and blows it back into the room

Transpired Air Collectors. Transpired air collectors use a simple technology to capture the sun's heat to warm buildings. The collectors consist of dark, perforated metal plates installed over a building's south-facing wall. An air space is created between the old wall and the new facade. The dark outer facade absorbs solar energy and rapidly heats up on sunny days.

Liquid-Based Active Solar Space Heating. In this collector, a heat transfer or "working" fluid such as water, antifreeze (usually non-toxic propylene glycol), or other type of liquid absorbs the solar heat. At the appropriate time, a controller operates a circulating pump to move the fluid through the collector.

Storing Heat in Liquid Systems. Liquid systems store solar heat in tanks of water or in the masonry mass of a radiant slab system. In tank type storage systems, heat from the working fluid transfers to a distribution fluid in a heat exchanger exterior to or within the tank.