Great Product Under Proper Conditions
This product is an excellent alternative heating source under the proper conditions. I was reluctant to permanently install the unit (i.e. cut holes in my house) until I knew what results to expect. One side of the house had a southern exposure, but was situated in a bit of a valley with some neighbors pine trees further affecting/blocking the sun during mid-afternoon. I built a rack up against the house to hold the unit and made some heavily insulated duct work to vent it. The ducts went through windows in 2 different rooms that I fitted with 2 inches of foam board with cutouts for the fan assembly and output louver.
During the periods of good sun exposure and from about 9:30 to 2:00, and 3:30 to sundown, the unit delivered air approaching and occasionally exceeding 100 degrees F.
I de-installed the unit in the spring. The next year I rebuilt the rack about 5 feet higher and further toward the front, to help compensate for the pine trees that blocked some sun. It also vented out from and into 2 different windows. The room with the output vent became quite warm on sunny days, but I had to put a small, slow speed fan in the doorway to move the warm air into the rest of the house.
I know I saved money on heating costs, though I was unable to determine exactly how much. I was pleased with the overall performance of this product. However, I would urge anyone considering one to fully understand the installation location and sun exposure aspects and also the input and output locations and air movement within the house. I have since moved and as the unit was never permanently installed I took it with me.
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