Web Exclusive: DIY Pop-Can Solar Heater

Our ‘Canned Heat’ article shows you how aluminum-can solar heaters work – now learn more about building one yourself!

We’ve collected a few tutorials to guide you through building your own solar can heater. In the video above, Jim Meaney, owner of CanSolAir Inc. displays how he converts pop cans into a powerful solar heating panel.

We’ve collected a few tutorials to guide you through building your own solar can heater. In the video above, Jim Meaney, owner of CanSolAir Inc. displays how he converts pop cans into a powerful solar heating panel.

Build a pop can solar heater with A\J and Gordie Wornoff at the Green Living Show in April 2013!

Tutorials

Brian’s Pop Can Solar Heater – With a useful materials list and step-by-step instructions.

How to Build a Soda Can Heater – A brief tutorial from Instructables.

Almost Free Garage Heat – A slightly different setup from Hemmings Daily. 

How to Build a DIY Solar Air Heater from Old Soda Cans – A larger array than the rest, on Treehugger.com

More videos

From richallenmusic on YouTube. This one features the handy tip of using a foam can cozy to hold your cans while drilling the holes in the bottom!

From user zsnowshredder on YouTube. This short video shows the final product, which in this case includes more insulation than the other examples.

Julie is an urban planning graduate student at the University of Waterloo, focusing on sustainable transportation.