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SOLAR HEATING MY WORKSHOP
Detailed blog of my progress building a solar heating system for my workshop in 2001 - and continuing changes and improvements.
Updates occur as I improve and re-design my system.
Also, here is a page documenting my sustainable living effortsLatest Update:
December 2010: Real time statistics page
- and some system tweaks, dealing with a shaded panel and replacing the expansion tank
I wrote a detailed 10 page article about the construction of my system for the June/July 2002 issue of
If you are interested in: making your own electricity from renewable energy, alternative vehicles, or finding out the latest in related technologies and life-styles, then this publication can keep you up to date.You can download a copy of my original Home Power article - and the follow-up article from 2007 from my site by clicking on the images below:
CONSTRUCTION WEB LOG
“I'd put my money on solar energy…
I hope we don't have to wait 'til oil and coal run out
before we tackle that.”
—Thomas Edison, in conversation with Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone, March 1931
2001:
July 18 installing soffit vent
July 23 insulating the barn, day 1
July 24 Insulating barn etc., day 2
July 25 installing radiant floor
July 26 plumbing the heating system manifold
July 30 pouring concrete in the barn
July 31 framing and installing barn doors
. . .
October 2 Building the solar shed onto the barn
October 3 Roofing the solar shed
October 5 Solar shed progress
October 6 Installing solar collectors
October 9 Plumbing the solar collectors and manifold
October 11 Plumbing solar heat exchanger etc.
October 14 Installing the Aquastar propane backup water heater
October 16 Sweating the radiant floor pump manifold
October 17 Filling the solar system
October 18 Solar system shakedown - more work needed
October 20 Heat at last!!!
October 24 Heating system upgrades + woodworking
. . .
November 21 Solar system final tweaks
. . .
January 2: Clearing snow off the collectors
2002:
May 23, 2002: Home Power article - feedback on my design
. . .
September 21, 2002: Added 2 more solar collectors
September 23, 2002: Added Differential Temperature Controller
October 29, 2002: Installing 2nd floor radiators
November 8, 2002: Pump timers and controls upgrade
2003:
February 20, 2003: Over pressure fix
November 17, 2003: Pump cavitation issue
November 19, 2003: Air venting and system pressure
2004:
December 13, 2004: Frozen antifreeze!
2005:
April 2, 2005: Replacing expansion tank
October 18, 2005: Installing stove pipe for a wood stove backup
November 18, 2005: Installing wood stove
2006:
May 21, 2006: Thinking cool - installing solar attic vent
September 24, 2006: Re-plumbing manifold
2008:
August, 2008: Insulating the exterior of the frost walls
October 2008: Adding a heat recovery ventilator
2010:
December 2010: Moved solar panel away from tree shade + replaced expansion tank
December 2010: Added a real-time statistics page
Lessons Learned
Propane consumption annually
Some before and after imagesSome notes on sustainable living, and our efforts.
Solar Market in Arundel, Maine did my heat load analysis, designed my system, and sold me many of the components and supported me during the construction. I highly recommend them for solar supplies and information.
