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Step 1
Calculate how much system you need for heating your space. Do not base your calculations on the coldest, or the system will be oversized for most of the year. Instead, design your solar heating system for the average heat load for the cold season. You can add a gas or wood burning stove to supplement the heating system on colder days.
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Step 2
Decide how many collectors you need. A rule of thumb is to allow 1.5 gallons of storage for each square foot of collector area. Select your solar air heating storage media, such as rocks.
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Step 3
Determine the type of collectors available and which will work best for your application. The collectors come in air and liquid flat-plate, evacuated-tube, and concentrating types. If you are installing an air space heating system, the air flat-plate collectors are a good choice.
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Step 4
Position your collectors. To get the most from your collectors, point them toward the equator, where the sun's rays are strongest. In the northern hemisphere this would be southward, and in the southern hemisphere, it is northward. Make sure the sun's rays are not blocked from your collectors by trees or buildings.
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Step 5
Install your electric air circulating fans. Follow the manufacturer's directions and select fans made specifically for solar space heating systems.
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Step 6
Hook your solar heating system to your duct work, or install new duct work if your system requires it.
