Comments on: Sun Supplies Heat For This House (Feb, 1940) http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2009/08/26/sun-supplies-heat-for-this-house/ Yesterday's tomorrow, today. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:19:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 By: Luke http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2009/08/26/sun-supplies-heat-for-this-house/comment-page-1/#comment-1095620 Luke Thu, 22 Sep 2011 10:39:07 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=8113#comment-1095620 Harnessing the power of the sun? The whole thing sounds like science-fiction. If it does work, it probably wouldn't produce enough heat for more than one person's household use. Even then the cost to produce this kind of thing for the average consumer would be too much. No one would buy it. Anyway, why would people switch from gas or coal heating? It's not like it's doing any harm. Harnessing the power of the sun? The whole thing sounds like science-fiction. If it does work, it probably wouldn’t produce enough heat for more than one person’s household use. Even then the cost to produce this kind of thing for the average consumer would be too much. No one would buy it.

Anyway, why would people switch from gas or coal heating? It’s not like it’s doing any harm.

]]> By: Jari http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2009/08/26/sun-supplies-heat-for-this-house/comment-page-1/#comment-1072418 Jari Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:43:38 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=8113#comment-1072418 Just some thoughts: You can see a lot of such systems in Greece, allthough they only provide warm household water. They do have their storage tanks above the collectors, though. Filling the tank with rocks isn't doing any good, as for example granite has only ~75% of the heat storage capability of water. Not exactly in subject; I do recall there was a heat battery available for Saabs in early 80's, effectively a thermos filled with phase changing salt and circulation pump. Good for keeping the car warm for an hour or so, meant for taxi use. Now, here's an interesting idea concerning heating and phase change materials: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/phasechangedrywall Just some thoughts: You can see a lot of such systems in Greece, allthough they only provide warm household water. They do have their storage tanks above the collectors, though. Filling the tank with rocks isn’t doing any good, as for example granite has only ~75% of the heat storage capability of water. Not exactly in subject; I do recall there was a heat battery available for Saabs in early 80′s, effectively a thermos filled with phase changing salt and circulation pump. Good for keeping the car warm for an hour or so, meant for taxi use. Now, here’s an interesting idea concerning heating and phase change materials: http://www.doityourself.com/st.....ngedrywall

]]> By: jayessell http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2009/08/26/sun-supplies-heat-for-this-house/comment-page-1/#comment-1072410 jayessell Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:09:35 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=8113#comment-1072410 I remember seeing plans for these homes in 1960s era Edmund Scientific Catalogs! If the storage tank were higher than the collector the water would circulate without pumps. (Tank full or rocks? Surrounded by rocks?) I can't remember if the water is mixed with alcohol (antifreeze) or some salt solution (So that the fluid holds more BTU per Gallon.) ((There's some salt that stores/releases energy by freezing/melting. Phase change?)) I remember seeing plans for these homes in 1960s era Edmund Scientific Catalogs!

If the storage tank were higher than the collector the water would circulate without pumps.
(Tank full or rocks? Surrounded by rocks?)

I can’t remember if the water is mixed with alcohol (antifreeze) or some salt solution
(So that the fluid holds more BTU per Gallon.)
((There’s some salt that stores/releases energy by freezing/melting. Phase change?))

]]> By: Firebrand38 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2009/08/26/sun-supplies-heat-for-this-house/comment-page-1/#comment-1072396 Firebrand38 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:45:35 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=8113#comment-1072396 Vertro: That's a pretty dumb thing to say. You must have stopped reading just before the part where it says, "circulating water is heated by sunlight and stored in a large basement tank for future use" That whole "future use" thing? That's an abstract concept that the Sun doesn't have to be shining. Vertro: That’s a pretty dumb thing to say. You must have stopped reading just before the part where it says, “circulating water is heated by sunlight and stored in a large basement tank for future use”

That whole “future use” thing? That’s an abstract concept that the Sun doesn’t have to be shining.

]]> By: Vertro http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2009/08/26/sun-supplies-heat-for-this-house/comment-page-1/#comment-1072395 Vertro Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:34:26 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=8113#comment-1072395 But is it not the days when the sun is not shining that you need heat for your home? I see no use for these things. But is it not the days when the sun is not shining that you need heat for your home? I see no use for these things.

]]> By: George http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2009/08/26/sun-supplies-heat-for-this-house/comment-page-1/#comment-1070999 George Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:27:33 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=8113#comment-1070999 It'll never catch on. Imagine having those eyesores on your roof, when you can have electric heat for a fraction of the cost. It’ll never catch on. Imagine having those eyesores on your roof, when you can have electric heat for a fraction of the cost.

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