The Solar Room was the first iteration of the Solar Bubble. The Solar Room® when mounted on the south, southeast, or southwest sides of a home, is a solar collector and a greenhouse.
It is a gold anodized extruded aluminum frame that bolts together in an erector set fashion. It is then bolted to a wood beam or cement foundation and the wall of the house. The frame is covered with a Twin Skin™ glazing made of a double layer of special 6 mil ultraviolet-resistant polyethylene developed for the commercial greenhouse industry.
The layers are separated by air inflation supplied by a 36-watt blower. The Twin Skin™ is sealed around the perimeter of the “solar greenhouse” and locked into position by a patented locking gasket system. In the Summer, the Solar Room® can be easily converted to a screen porch with the removal of the Twin Skin™ cover and the installation of the optional screen/awning (an operation that generally takes one or two hours).
Testimonials
Dear Mr. Kenin:
My two Solar Rooms exceeded all expectations. They survived 80 mile an hour winds that blew
down trees on my property. Last winter my heating bills were half that anyone else in the
neighborhood. Also, tomatoes from the greenhouse have become a traditional Christmas dinner.
Kelnin S. Harr
Senior Research Engineer
Solar Energy Research Institute
Golden, Colorado
(Editors note, Mr. Harr purchased his Solar Rooms)
Steve,
I think of it as a collector you can live in.
Dr. Bingaman T. (Buck) Rogers
Consulting Engineer
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Dear Steve,
We see possibilities for added mutual value in coupling our capacities and those of the Solar
Room Company, a recognize leading pioneer in attach solar greenhouses.
C. G. (Ced) Currin
Energy technology manager
Dow Corning
Midland Michigan
Steve,
The Solar Room is an extremely cost-effective retrofit passive collector.
Douglas Balcomb, Director
Solar Energy Research Institute
Golden, Colorado 80401
Whole Earth Catalogue,
The Solar Room has proven itself to be one of the best buys in the “BTUs for the buck”. Literally
millions of American homes could save heating dollars immediately by the installation of a Solar
Room.
Stewart Brand
Biologist, author
The Next Whole Earth Catalog 1980, Page 185
Dear Steve,
I wish to extend my appreciation for your participation in the 1980 Passive and Hybrid Solar
Energy Program. Your participation contributed significantly to its success.
Michael Maybaum
Acting Deputy Director
Passive and Hybrid Division Office of Solar Applications and Buildings
Department Of Energy, Washington DC
Dear Steve,
I am impressed by the system and even more by the instructions on installation and
maintenance.
David C. Moore
Program manager
Solar Heating and Cooling Demonstration Program
Department of Housing and Urban Development, Washington, DC
SOLAR ROOM
“On a cost/payback basis is between 5 &10 times less expensive…”
U.S. Department Of Energy
1980 Passive & Highbred Solar Energy Program
