Active solar space heating in a Canadian prairie farmhouse

The operation of a solar air heating system in a Canadian prairie farm home is described. It is shown that the system provides significant heat in the coldest months, shortens the supplementary heating season, and provides an extra measure of reliability and comfort compared to conventional heating methods. The system employs 26.5 m/sup 2/ of heater on a 250 m/sup 2/ house, uses air for the transfer fluid, rock for heat storage, and a gravity distribution system. Results show that this type of solar air heater can provide a significant amount of the space heating in an environmentally effective manner.<
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