Abstract: Solar heat storage apparatus, invented by Thomason, includes a tank of water surrounded by a truckload of stones in a heat storage bin in the basement, U.S. Pat. No. 3,254,702 and others. Air circulating through the bin is warmed and circulated through the home to warm the home, or other building.The present invention adds humidity to the air and also enhances heat transfer out of the storage bin and into the home by heat-of-vaporization. That permits use of heat from storage to a lower temperature level while making the home feel warmer. And, the solar heat collector obtains more free heat from the sun because it is operating at a lower temperature level and more efficiently.Heat that normally goes up the chimney from an auxiliary heat source, such as a water heater or furnace, is used to assist home heating.

Abstract: Open-flow solar heat collectors have been used since 1959 in Thomason Solar House No. 1, similar to those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,145,707 and 3,215,134. Improvements were needed to avoid heat loss, vapor loss, and condensation, near the top and bottom of the corrugated solar heat collector sheet.In the present invention a transition area or transition section is used to change the collector sheet from its irregular or non-planar configuration to a substantially planar configuration. At the bottom, the irregular, non-planar sheet may be formed to a planar configuration and then shaped to form a collector trough with an outlet for warm water flowing therefrom. At the top, the irregular, non-planar collector sheet may be changed, at the transition area or section, to a substantially planar configuration and substantially sealed to, or adjacent to, the collector glazing material to reduce heat and vapor loss at the top.

Abstract: Storage apparatus is used for storage of large quantities of heat, or for large quantities of "cold," and "dryness," or for simultaneous storage of heat and cold, and dryness. The heat, or cold, or both, may be produced during off-peak power periods, or by solar energy, or both. One example of utility of the invention is for use during the winter to store solar produced heat, or during the summer for cold storage produced by solar energy or by nighttime off-peak electric power. And, for springtime or autumn weather, the apparatus is usable to simultaneously store heat and cold. Then, for a chilly night or a cold spell, stored heat is available, or for a hot evening or a hot spell, stored coldness is available. Thus, the system for climate control of the home or other space may be switched from heating to air conditioning instantly.Zone heating and air conditioning are provided.

Abstract: A storage bin may be used in many ways during the year such as: storage of solar-produced heat during the winter; storage of cold during the summer obtained from nighttime cold-producing apparatus or solar cooling apparatus; storage of heat and cold simultaneously for variable autumn and springtime weather, storage of dryness to absorb excess moisture on hot humid days, and so on. The present invention includes a number of features regarding storage of "heat" and "cold" (technically, storage of heat at higher and lower temperature levels). One of the important features is use of the air conditioner compressor for its normal chilling, drying function during the hot summer, using it as a "heat pump" during variable autumn and spring weather to heat one bin while chilling another, and using it as an auxiliary heat source for long cloudy spells during the winter when solar energy is not adequate, thereby eliminating the furnace.