Greening Your Home - passive solar "hot box"
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : passive solar "hot box"
NutmegCT
09-10-08, 12:46 PM
Does this already exist to buy somewhere?
Small portable greenhouse, ca. 4x6 feet, sits on south side of house and "feeds" into an open window for solar heating?
Sun heats air in greenhouse. Warm air feeds into top of double-sash window; cooler air return feeds out of bottom of window back into box.
I'm a klutz at fabricating; trying to build a small version of this last summer wasn't too successful (frame bent in wind, plastic ripped, etc.). However, the materials were free, and (before it imploded) it gave me 120 degree air when the sun was shining, even in freezing temps. No sun - I just shut the window.
Cold weather - functions as passive solar heating.
Warm weather - functions as greenhouse.
Here's what I'd like to try to "feed" into my south facing kitchen window:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/94500-94599/94515.gif
Anyone ever done this? Any suggestions? A cheaper "build it yourself" greenhouse conversion?
Thanks.
Tom
PS - Obviously I'd put an insulator on the floor; I'd also add shelves of clear water containers inside the box as heat "retainers".
Small portable greenhouse, ca. 4x6 feet, sits on south side of house and "feeds" into an open window for solar heating?
Sun heats air in greenhouse. Warm air feeds into top of double-sash window; cooler air return feeds out of bottom of window back into box.
I'm a klutz at fabricating; trying to build a small version of this last summer wasn't too successful (frame bent in wind, plastic ripped, etc.). However, the materials were free, and (before it imploded) it gave me 120 degree air when the sun was shining, even in freezing temps. No sun - I just shut the window.
Cold weather - functions as passive solar heating.
Warm weather - functions as greenhouse.
Here's what I'd like to try to "feed" into my south facing kitchen window:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/94500-94599/94515.gif
Anyone ever done this? Any suggestions? A cheaper "build it yourself" greenhouse conversion?
Thanks.
Tom
PS - Obviously I'd put an insulator on the floor; I'd also add shelves of clear water containers inside the box as heat "retainers".