Create your own Solar Heater with common recyclable items and capture free heat for your home, garage, camp, shed or any structure you wish to heat for free. Simple DIY presentation will guide you today!

8. Recycled products will work!

10. Cut can as shown for heat spin

12. Next, stain your frame to protect it this is 1x6x10 cedar board

13. You may use other materials however, quality materials will out perform subpar materials

14. Make a secure setup for drilling the washed and cleaned cans

15. Next, use a ¾ inch metal bit to make a hole on bottom of can

16. Also, do not over tighten or risk damage to the thin cans design

17. Now you can see how the top differs from the bottom of can

18. Next, using your dimensions determine the size and cut out two manifolds and using a 2 ½” or 64mm hole saw make same number of holes in each to accept cans

19. Notice to remark your measurements for the 1” foil faced foam board and center.

20. Next, make sure you purchase 3 tubes of high heat sealant, you will need them to attach cans, insulation and glass or Lexan face to be used

21. As you can see, we used 1x4x8 pine strapping and made the sealed cans able to cure straight and strong, get a helper here

22. Notice, you will need 3 12oz.cans of flat black high heat spray paint for your aluminum cans and lining materials

23. Here, you must hang your cured cans on wire to be completely painted and dry prior to installation as well as inspection

24. Remember, to use same size cans and face cans the same way for max efficiency

25. Below, dry fit your cut out dimensional lumber and cans

26. Here, you may now reinforce corners for longevity and make more measurements for the insulation material on all sides and bottom to be inserted

27. Assure all cans are preinstalled and facing the same way before you continue, careful of scratching paint

28. 1” foil foam board is cut to install under cans snuggly

29. Here, you should precut all other foam board for insulating all the other cavities. dry fit them as well

30. Continue to dry fit for best results and remeasure dimensions while you can

31. Next, use a 4”hole saw bit and install (2) 4”galv. vent with tabs for output and intake manifolds, at the top and bottom use metal tape if needed

32. Using hole saw through the ¼” plywood may work better

33. Here, insert the 4”vent, bend back tabs and screw down just long enough to grab backing material and not puncture through

34. Next, use metal tape on all exposed foam board cuts, bending over edges for a finished look and good seal

35. Here, use high heat silicon sealant for attaching foam board and seal all gaps for max ratings and performance

36. We installed two 4”outdoor hinges to the top of the backing so that this Solar Heater attaches to a Southern facing wall

37. Finally, it is coming together and all insulation is now taped and ready for aluminum flashing manifold covers

38. Cut Manifold covers to proper size using a utility knife and straight edge of wood to score and bend free

39. At the top of manifold a bowed piece of flashing is used to direct and channel heat out the top ductwork more effectively

40. Here, use high heat spray to touch up any exposed areas

41. Notice the screw holding the aluminum flashing arch with the 4” duct work for a secure fit and finish

42. Apply high heat caulking along entire edge of manifold and use weight to create good seal with scrap wood to prevent scraping

43. Carefully paint flashing, edging and trim off excess sealant which will be seen under the face material used

44. The top manifold will get a fan and small hole for wiring to connect to a small solar panel

45. Now your ready for measuring, cutting and sealing the bottom manifold before spray painting

46. Here you may start solar panel and fan prep

47. Be prepared to cut part of the wire and clips from fan and solar collector for your project

48. Next prepare to measure and trim fan edges to fit inside 4” vent

49. Notice the 4” circle made on the paper which will be used as a template to trim down the fan for a perfect fit

50. Use a cutoff/grinding wheel or saw to trim the tough plastic corners

51. Here you will remove connector clips from solar panel

52. Next remove the molex connectors and yellow wire from your 80mm fan and strip back the red and black wires about 1”

53. Attach connector clips to ends of wire for easy future removal if replacement of fan is needed

54. Also place the fan into the top vent hole and feed both wires through small hole on vent housing. Be sure to point arrows on 80mm fan housing away from vent opening. Air flow must be directed out from the top exhaust vent

55. Sign your project before the top face is finalized and sealed

56. Here you may use aluminum stair edge for your exterior trim and finish as it will secure the face

57. Be sure to seal all exposed areas

58. We used ¾” wood screws

59. Cut edging to size for your project

60. Next caulk exterior edging with generous amount of sealant and place face on top, once cured, install trim and screw down

61. Admire your efforts and reap the rewards from the sun forever.

64. Measuring results with a brand new digital thermostat and the sensor inserted inside top vent

65. Notice the temperature of 149.3F and climbing

66. Here it is up to 152.6 and climbing

67. Notice the current air temperature is 94.3 F entering the bottom vent as well as the included packaging material for proof

68. Finally notice the end result and vent temperature readings observed from the top exhaust vent, Wow…

69. Temperature readings taken outside show 94.3 F,10mph breeze and slightly overcast w/sun shine were present. Using a brand new digital thermometer to measure the heat exiting top and bottom vents of this Solar Heater demonstrate temps of 154.5 degrees F and climbing while using 94.3 F entering bottom vent. This is a 60.2 degree increase in temperature using free heat folks. Where else can you produce this increase without fossil fuel help? In addition, if the fan did not come on the heat from the Solar Heater will continue to exit the top vent regardless. Should the fan fail you may replace it easily due to connectors and placement inside top vent inside building being heated if you choose. Blocking the bottom and top vents should prevent overheating your selected area during the summer months or hot days which may not require additional heating. You will reap the rewards of your efforts and design for years to come by capturing and channeling heat created from recycled cans and sun light. We hope this convinces you and the skeptics of any doubts that could prevent your solar heater project of becoming reality and successful. -Paul Cabral