Cheap solar heating has become an attractive and economically viable way to heat homes and businesses efficiently. In this article we explain what solar air heating is and how it provides heat efficiently and sustainably.
What is solar air heating?
It is a system that harnesses the sun's energy to heat the air inside a space. Unlike traditional systems, which rely on fossil fuels or electricity, it uses solar collectors to capture solar radiation and turn it into useful heat.
How it works
Solar heating is based on converting solar energy into heat. To do this, it has three essential components: the solar collector, a fan and a flexible duct.
Solar collector
The solar collector is the element that absorbs the sun's radiation. It is made of materials that capture and retain heat efficiently and is installed where it receives maximum sun exposure.
Fan
Once the collector has captured enough heat, the fan comes into play. It blows the warm air generated in the collector into the space you want to heat. The temperature rise, i.e. the difference in temperature between inlet and outlet, can be considerable, turning cold air into warm, comfortable air.
Flexible duct
The flexible duct connects the collector to the space you want to heat and carries the warm air efficiently to where it is needed.
How the sun's heat is captured
Capturing solar heat efficiently is essential for the system to work well. These are the key points:
Choosing the right location for the heater
It is essential to install the collector where it gets direct sunlight for many hours, ideally facing south and free from shade. This way it captures the maximum amount of heat during the day.
The capture process
When the collector is exposed to sunlight, the black inner surface absorbs the radiation and turns it into heat, which is transferred to the air flowing through it.
Temperature rise
The temperature rise is the difference in temperature between the collector's inlet and outlet. In our test on 20 January 2024 in Valladolid, with an outdoor feels-like temperature of 2 °C, the air left the collector at 40 °C.
Cheap solar heating is an example of innovation that combines renewable energy and energy efficiency. Check our prices or contact us for more information.