Daily Home Renovation Tips

Now, after creating the opening for the blower assembly in the lower area of the back part of the unit, per the product installation guide, we did not then create the opening in the upper area of the back part of the unit. This opening will be needed so the heated air can go back into the home.

However, you have to remember that just like any other home renovation, measurements for the install of any solar air collector must be precise. We wanted to ensure that the hole we already made in the wall to receive the heated air from the unit was spot on with the opening that we would have to make in the upper area of the back unit.

So, the plan? Bennett decided to take all the measurements needed and then proceed to install the brackets on the outside wall before making the hole in the upper part in back of the unit for the outflow of heated air.

Why? Well, he had already made the hole in the wall to receive the heated air.

 This opening was placed in the space between the drop ceiling and the main floor’s support beams. Below is the ‘before’ picture for the location of the opening to be made in the wall.

Remember, our plan is different from many installations of solar air heaters. Typically, the intent is for solar air heaters to heat the same room that they are installed against. Our plan, however, is to connect flexible duct to the opening in the upper part of the solar air collector to see the heated air heat two different areas of the basement.

So, to be sure that the opening in the top part of the back of the solar air heating unit matched spot on the existing opening in the wall, our strategy was to (A) install the brackets on the outside of the wall (B) temporarily place the Solar Max 240 on those brackets (C) from the inside of the house place the short piece of duct which came with the unit through the opening in the wall, pressing it against the back of the Solar Maxd 240 and turn it to mark exactly where it needs to go into the unit for the heated air to return into the house, (E) then remove the solar air collector from the outside wall and cut the heated air return hole.

Sound complicated? Not really. It’s much easier to show than describe. First install the initial lower bracket near the blower assembly.

Next, measure, level and install the second lower bracket.

 Of course, this was followed by installing the upper brackets.

 Remember to again use the level to check the placement of the second upper brackets.

So, how did we do? How were the measurements of the 4 brackets relative to the position of the blower assembly?  Spot on.

Next time, we continue with the details of our installation of the Solar Max 240.

To continue to the next article in this series, simply select this link to Part 16.