Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hi, I really need help with my science fair project. We just started with it and me and my partner thought it would be fun and sort of easy to do a homemade solar air heater. There is one slight problem though. We didn't know we had to install it inside a window and we can't put it inside any of our windows. Is there ANY way we can keep it out of a window. We are planning to move soon so we can not install the heater in our window. I need to know.

Sincerely,
Anonymous

Hi,

I read the procedure for your project (https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... #procedure) and it looks like the only way you could test it is by putting it into a window.

I guess you could try it without sealing it into a window, but you would have to cover the one side with a piece of glass like the window pane. Maybe you could get a large picture frame with glass in it and cover up the back with the black cardboard. You would have to cut inlet and outlet holes somehow. Put the frame in the sun and measure the inlet and outlet temperatures. The sun should heat up the air in the space just like it would in a window.

I hope this helps. Maybe someone else can come up with another idea.

Good luck!

Sybee

Hello,

This seems like an interesting project to try out. I took a look at the project description as well, and there they use painters tape to install it on the inside of a window. I would also recommend this, as this would be a safe way to install the heater (you should not need to do anything that would mark or damage your walls since you said you are moving soon).

If that still is not an option and you must use something else, you can also try using a small sheet of plexiglass or the glass from a frame as Sybee suggested. You can get these types of materials at a Home Depot or a similar store if you do not have them already.

Let us know if you have further questions.