Shop Heat?

[RuralRoute C-30]

In the early 90's I built this shed and experimented with the concept of solar as a source of heat. Entire south wall is clear 'filon'. Works as it should when the sun shines. Always 40+ degrees warmer than any outside air temperature in the winter, providing the sun is shining! Typical sunny day in January is not uncommon to have natural heat at a steady 70 degrees.


Granted it only takes about 2 hours to drop into the 50's once that sun is gone. Yet there is enough "mass" that retains heat and in 20 years plus it has yet to drop below freezing. (it has sat at 32 degrees when bitter cold) Ordinarily temps usually settle into the low 40's at night as a bottom temp in the winter. Still workable temps though for me if dressed for it.


Shop room inside the shed, wife calls it the "man cave", does come equipped with a wall mounted infra-red propane heater for those cloudy days. Sun doesn't shine everyday! Super insulated that room with 2x6 stud walls which was well worth the effort.

The older I get the more I hate the cold though. Yet for anyone thinking about it, solar does work if you can apply it to your space. Free heat and free daytime light.

Good luck with the choices. This is just another way to add some free heat when possible.

Mark

[lakeroadster]

Originally Posted by RuralRoute C-30

In the early 90's I built this shed and experimented with the concept of solar as a source of heat.
Mark

Interesting... what do you do in the warm weather months, is their some type of cover you put over it?

[RuralRoute C-30]

Originally Posted by lakeroadster

Interesting... what do you do in the warm weather months, is their some type of cover you put over it?

In the summer months it is ventilated as needed. Can get a bit warm though if not. The shop inside the shed is air conditioned.

I did plant that one tall tree on that south side years ago. It tends to shade some of south wall from the summer sun which helps.

Figure in Illinois cold season is around October through mid April and summer will last from May through September if we're lucky. I'd always rather be too warm than too cold!

Learned long ago to begin planning for winter every spring.

Mark

[Number21]

Can't beat a good wood stove with a stick. I just wish I had a cheaper source for wood.

In the barn I've been known to simply start a little camp fire in the middle of the floor.