Hot Box 101

The roots of the solar heating industry can be traced back to the invention of the HOT BOX in 1767. In the 16th Century a Swiss-Naturalist, mountain-climber, by the name of Horace de Saussure wondered why valleys always seemed warmer than mountains tops. He believed the dense atmosphere in the valleys might trap heat better than the thin atmosphere at higher elevations. He called this phenomenon the “greenhouse effect” and he set out to prove his heat trapping theory by substituting glass for air.

Horace brought his hotbox to a high elevation where it was cold and measured the temperature inside his project. To his surprise he discovered that the hotbox temperature was not only higher than cold mountain air but it was 18*F hotter than the boiling temperature of water. Hotboxes have traditionally used glass-glazing materials but today we have the opportunity to use clear plastics polyester films. You may decide to use glass or fiberglass reinforced plastic, or Suntuf or Twin Wall polycarbonate BUT It’s important that you get started with some hands on experience and experiment like Horace de Saussure and build a solid foundation of self-discovery. Watch these videos, experiment and comment.