Cheap & Easy Solar heater Panels.

[@69dblcab]

Nifty

[@1kreature]

Nifty, but from a energy budget perspective I don't understand what it is supposed to do? You allow the sun to heat up air close to the window and move that air around the room? All sunlight passing through window to heat the panel would otherwise pass into room heating the interior of the room though. The net energy is identical. Losses out the window on the other hand is determined by the temperature of the air along the window inner surface and the amount of light reflected back out instead of being absorbed by room as heat.

[@dbcrn859]

Your fans will probably last longer if they're pushing cold air rather than pulling hot air through them.

[@You-can-fix-it-yourself]

In previous models, the cellophane would develop leaks when I pushed air into the panel. However, with pulling, the edges seal and I get a higher efficiency. Additionally, I get a better airflow into the room if I have the fan pulling air out of the panel.

[@dbcrn859]

@@You-can-fix-it-yourself Yes, I wasn't considering the clear plastic wrap. I use clear plexi or old glass windows.

[@You-can-fix-it-yourself]

@ One additional benefit to this design, is the weight of the unit. By using cardboard and cellophane, I can easily transport them and store them or remove them for a change of season. They are very light. My foam and plexi model is twice the weight of these.