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Do-it-yourself Solar House Heating system constructed in Misaktsieli, Georgia

Families in rural areas spend a great deal of their income on energy, primarily in the form of wood to heat their homes, which significantly contributes to deforestation and climate change.

24.05.2012 |Anna Samwel & Regina Drexel




Families in rural areas spend a great deal of their income on energy, primarily in the form of wood to heat their homes, which significantly contributes to deforestation and climate change. 

During a 2 ˝ week training under the guidance of the ‘Water Basic Sanitation Mobile School (EMAS), five participants from Ukraine and five participants from Georgia constructed two solar house heating systems in Misaktsieli.



The system is very simple and sustainable, as it is able to be constructed from local materials with simple tools. Each system consists of two or three 2m2 solar panels and an 800 litre warm water buffer tank. Air is heated with the help of the warm water in the buffer tank and blown with a ventilator into the room to be heated. Additionally, an optional hot water tank can be connected to the system to provide not only heating but also warm water for the kitchen and shower.  It is expected that one room can be well heated, while good insulation will increase the efficiency overall.



Such systems have already been proven to work well in the highlands of Bolivia under extremely cold temperatures at night. However, in Georgia and Ukraine the technology needs were adapted to local conditions, under guidance from training participants and WECF partners. The solar heaters are not able to completely substitute traditional heating during cold, cloudy days; however they will considerably reduce the use of wood and other fuels needed, especially during spring and autumn. In these two seasons, it is cold enough to need extra heating, but the warmth of the sun also has enough power to generate sufficient heat during these months.



During construction, a technical film on the system was made by the EMAS trainer, with support of the participants and WECF.
 



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