Twist on Solar Heating

[theshadownose]

I have a 4 bedroom 2 story in Nebraska

We have heating/cooling problems in South West upstairs- appears to be duct related, and would cost $$$$ to get to.

Outside wall is standard siding, minimal insulation. Was originally looking at standard air heating panel, but running into technical issues; namely, windows are sideways sliders, not finding simple way to attach to windows.

Came up with idea, don't know if sane/possible. What would happen in black material was attached directly to siding? (think blacked foil) This would not require windows, heat would go in same way it leaks out....

Worth trying/stupid, ways to improve idea?

Thanks for input

[Naptown]

Unglazed won't do much if anything. Glazed as you are thinking could present a host of problems including the potential of fire.

[russ]

1) Collection won't be that great with a black wall but it would a little better than a white wall - probably look a bit ugly.

2) The glazing over the black box is to trap the heat inside - for example a vacuum tube collector is better under cold conditions than a flat plate collector. Vacuum is a good insulator - once the light enters the tube and contacts the collecting surface little escapes back out.

3) There are perforated metal walls used as collectors - a double wall arrangement where the heat collected flows up between the two plates.

[LucMan]

KISS Fix or add to the ductwork, or possibly balance the air going to the other part of the house to force more to the problem area.