A Solar-Heated Church

(Page 4 of 4)

May/June 1983
By Jim Strothman  
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Guided by the thermostat, the two fans switch on and off during the clay, keeping the Sunday school building (which, thanks to the drop in heating costs, is now used an average of six days a week, as opposed to the presolar three days a week) at the desired temperature. The church, usually unoccupied except on Sundays, gets all of the "extra" heat, generally beginning to warm up around 11:00 a.m. on a sunny day — even in February.

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Solar for Sale

As a result of First Presbyterian's solar heating success, the Reverend Mr. Poole was approached by many people who wanted him to build collectors for their homes. Consequently, the minister developed an "on the side, for profit" business, which he hopes will help others save on their heating bills. 

The enterprise is called LHP (Light to Heat Producer) Solco Inc. The firm sells a solar heater that can be owner-installed and can pay for itself during its first winter of operation (if the buyer is able to take advantage of tax deductions). 

The 46-by-76-inch, 180-pound LHP unit draws house air out through a south-facing window mount (or through a wall) by way of an insulated cold-air duct, and forces it over an aluminum wire mesh ab sorber. That same air is then blown back into the house through a hot-air duct, by a 40-watt fan, On sunny days, the supplemental heater will continually return air warmed to 100-140° to the structure. 

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