| With the ever rising cost of energy, the harsh | | | | The box is sealed with a clear sheet of plastic to |
| economic conditions we are suffering and the | | | | allow access for the suns rays and to prevent |
| increase in the global Carbon Dioxide emissions, a | | | | any potential cooling of the air inside the box by |
| large proportion of which is from the burning of | | | | the wind. |
| fossil fuels for electricity production, we all should | | | | Third - You can make a smaller version of the |
| be looking for alternatives. The alternatives | | | | system which is portable and fits neatly into a |
| primarily will be economic but if we can make | | | | window frame so it is ideal for condos or rental |
| environmentally friendly choices that that is even | | | | property where you cannot make alterations, it is |
| better and I believe that solar air heaters score | | | | a simple 5 minute job to remove it from the |
| on both points. | | | | window and take it with you. Likewise it can be |
| First - Everyone is hurting from the size of their | | | | taken from one room to another as required. |
| utility bills what with the rising cost of fossil fuels | | | | Forth - This smaller system needs to power so |
| and the cold weather have served to increase | | | | can be used in places where a convenient or |
| the amount you have had to pay as never | | | | practical power source is available such as an |
| before, but there is an ingeniously clever solution | | | | outhouse, workshop, cabin or garage. |
| available to alternative energy enthusiasts. The | | | | Fifth - As the system uses no or very little |
| solution is so simple that it will appeal to anyone, | | | | power (the larger versions need a small fan to |
| enthusiast or not, using cheap and readily available | | | | circulate the air through the system) and it |
| materials it is possible to build your own solar air | | | | produces no emissions it is a truly environmentally |
| heater, and save money on your utility bills. The | | | | friendly heater. Solar air heaters are therefore |
| way it works means that you not only get free | | | | very easy and cheap to make yourself, zero |
| heated air, but also help to cut down on carbon | | | | operating cost/ very small operating cost |
| emissions by using a lot less electricity, that would | | | | depending on the system you build, uses a |
| otherwise be generated by burning fossils fuels | | | | perpetual - plentiful - free source of solar energy |
| Second - This system needs no special skills or | | | | and is totally environmentally friendly. |
| tools to construct and consists of a plywood box, | | | | So why build your own solar air heater? The |
| aluminum soda cans with the top and bottom | | | | bottom line is that it will save you money which, |
| drilled out and painted black to absorb the energy | | | | especially in this economy, is a great thing. Start |
| from the sun. The cans are arranged so that the | | | | looking at the options today and possibly make |
| cold air enters the box at the bottom flowing | | | | plans on how you can spend the extra money |
| through the cans and taking the heat that they | | | | that you can potentially save with this system. |
| have absorbed as the heated air exits the top. | | | | |