1. Active Solar Air Heating By: Mitchell French

2. Objective Give the class enough knowledge to make intelligent decisions regarding this heating system

3. 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)

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. Properties of Container Materials: Cinderblock, Concrete, Wood Must be sealed to preserve efficiency Usually installed in crawlspaces or basements Should have ½ to 1 ft 3 for every ft 2 of collector Should be 5 to 7 feet deep Temperature: top-140°F (60 °C) bottom-70°F (21.1°C)

10. 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

11. 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

12. Installation Depends on Container location Hard to upgrade existing house Must plan to use air solar heating from beginning

13. 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

14. Conclusion Size makes it cumbersome Requires precise installation

15. References http://www.healthgoods.com/Education/Energy_In formation/Renewable_Energy/heating_with_activ e_solar.htmhttp://www.healthgoods.com/Education/Energy_In formation/Renewable_Energy/heating_with_activ e_solar.htm http://www.newenergy.org/sesci/publications/pam phlets/active.htmlhttp://www.newenergy.org/sesci/publications/pam phlets/active.html http://www.solarenergysociety.ca/2003/active.asp http://www.canren.gc.ca/programs/index.asp?CaI D=60&PgID=141http://www.canren.gc.ca/programs/index.asp?CaI D=60&PgID=141 http://bathrooms.bobvila.com/Article/743.html

16. Diagram