Following is a description of the construction and installation of two (2) 4 foot (1.219m) x 8 foot (2.438m) solar air heating panels on the garage.
The area to be heated is a 10’ x 24’ shop area attached to the back of the garage. I use this area to build/repair my radio controlled model boats and as a general household repair shop. The ceiling height is about 7’.
Rule of thumb sizing is that you should have 25% of the area being heated in solar panel sq. footage. So 10’ (3.048m) x 24’ (7.315m) is 240. 240/4 = 60 sq. ft. I am using two, 4 ft x 8 ft collectors that = 64 sq. ft. (19.51m)
Using the cheapest materials available - The paper mill that I worked at closed down just over a year ago and I haven't been employed since.
One panel has been removed for the garages at my previous dwelling, it has been in use for 15 years (and it shows!). the problem that I had with it was that it was too small for the area being heated. With a little work, I can repair any weathered parts and use the controls for the new system.
I purchased much of the materials at the local building supply store where they were in the “seconds” rack. If you happen to be there when it is being stocked (as I was) you can get an even better deal – “gee, this one looks pretty bad, would you take $5 for it?”
