COMPLETE INSTRUCTIONS here: blog.imehrle.com These small solar panels I made work… got my gas bill today. Last months payment (during a warmer cycle – December) was 1… this month (during a colder cycle – January) was only 6. bit.ly Last year usage was 5.5ccf this year is 4.1ccf iMehrle.com Again written and picture instructions here blog.imehrle.com Making a solar panel has never been easier. Mike shows you how to make a panel to heat a room or even a whole house starting at about . That’s right… 50 BUCKEROOS!!! No UGLY boxes hanging on the side of your house. No cutting holes in the side of you house to get the heat in. No infiltration of the nights cold in to the room adjacent an exterior panel. Made from window film, Cinefoil, aluminum flashing, aluminum heating tape and screen frames. Live in and apartment or condo? No problem!!! These hang in a window and can be taken down in the spring. No zoning issues to be concerned with. Nothing but positive about this solar panel. ENJOY!!! MikeM
Video Rating: 4 / 5
Built one yesterday before AFC game and lost the sun behind the clouds to get a real run with it. Hope to see it cook today! I’m assuming you don’t have holes in the Cinefoil because it’s thin and the heat dissipates quickly through it. I used a second piece of tin (painted black of course) and now think it may have too much mass. Probably should have used tin-foil and kept it thin.
@olddawgsrule THANKS… Actually a fan can pull cooler air through to quickly not allowing it to heat up. Heat rises and the farther it has to travel the hotter it gets inside the chamber; which is way you don’t need a fan because it is creating its own air flow. Same number of holes at the bottom and the top.
Very nice build and great instructional on your site.
Job well done!
The question was asked and haven’t seen the answer here or on the site.
Holes seem to only be on the top.
Is this true?
If so; I assume you tried holes both top & bottom.
What were your results?
Oops, looks like you did… sorry ’bout that.
Then I assume same pattern both top and bottom.
Have you tried a low volume fan yet?
If so; How did production respond?
Again; Very nice job done here and on your site!
A solar heater in a window, is a waste, the window itself is a solar heater the inside of your house the “box”. box is best placed outside the house, were there is no windows. Here the sunlight is just reflecting back into space. The solar box here acts just the same as a window in your house. Efficiency points, keep the air runs into and out of the box short, you can angle the box i would not. input air into the bottom outlet at the top,its proven cans do not help much, baffles are better.
I’m making one for my parents its has aluminum cans and going to sit outside will hairdryer tight plastic work just as well as pexiglass thanks Kevin kevinjaynes@hotmail.com
This is a great project for our house until we are able to get new windows. We lose so much heat that it would be great to get something back from them instead. Thanks for the info! This country was built by those who created and invented, then shared those ideas. Your efforts are appreciated.
@rigidheddleweaving Also, how about storing the heat in water bottles? Run tubing along the peg board and then let the thermosiphoning begin?
I don’t have a lot of tools, but would pegboard work? Tape over the holes in the middle and leave holes in the top and bottom?
@helpmonkey the only negative feedback I see is yours. This is a great project (especially to learn by) that even the most unhandy person can tackle.
@helpmonkey Nope… Monkey, you’re wrong… you are assuming that I want to leave my windows open all day to allow all the thieves to look in to see if I am home or to scout it out to see if there is anything they want… The panels are on the sides of the drapes and you can only draw them so far anyway.
Besides… these things only weigh about 2 and a half pounds and mount with suction cups… if I want day light in “WHILE I AM HOME” I can easily take them out of the window.
@googl4ee I am not marketing anything… just showing how you can build one that works very cheap…
I had the jacket on, not because I was cold, but that I just came back inside after shooting the b roll footage for the video and forgot to take my jacket off.
Beside I wear that jacket almost all the time for certain reasons…
P.S. I really dont want to be negative and I encourage your efforts but when people go to the effort to build these and dont get results then it generates negative feedback and hinders the adoption of sustainable energy practices.
techsavvy you are blocking the window with the panels so your not “gaining” any heat in your room … I guess you may gain some heat from this method (IR) but I would not think it would be very little???? passive solar heating is a great idea but your methods and assumptions are simply incorrect.
It’s really funny that all these guys presenting their solar heating stuff wear jackets, like it’s very cold in the room where they are :S
But anyhow, i like this and thank you very much for sharing the idea, just work a little on your marketing in the future
greetings from Macedonia
@ecrouch77 yes… needed to allow air flow
Are there holes punched in the bottom of the flashing as well as the top? I couldn’t tell from your instructions on Instructables. Thanks.
nice job mike? great idea and a practical solution for many people
Very nice, I know my back room, which happens to be my computer room, can actually get HOT in the winter with the shades up and the door closed, I really coud turn the heat off and this room would still stay warm. I could only imagine what these would do. Plus the added privacy would be a plus for this room.
Harnessing the power I’m getting in these windows would help me cut back on my bills.
Thanks.
@pilarandmike I will be working on that later this year. Building a log cabin to retire to in the country this summer.