Abstract: A solar heat exchanger assists an air-to-air heat pump by introducing warm solar solution into thermal contact with the saturated vapor, thereby enabling the refrigerant to extract more heat at low ambient temperatures. Thus, the air-to-air heat pump is able to achieve improved heating ability at lower temperatures. The solar heat exchanger may run simultaneously and in parallel with the heat pump to thereby improve the efficiency of the heat pump.

Abstract: A circuit board controller enables a solar hot water system to be used in conjunction with, and assist, a conventional heating system such as a furnace. If some heat is available from solar heating, then the solar heat is used for pre-heating so the conventional heating system does not have to perform as much work. If there is enough heat available from solar heating to provide all of the heat that is needed, then operation of the conventional heating system is locked out.

Abstract: A heat storage and transfer apparatus includes a storage tank, a condenser coil, a solar heat collector, and an evaporator coil. A pump circulates a heat transfer liquid between the condenser coil and the solar heat collector. The solar heat collector raises the temperature of the heat transfer liquid. The condenser coil within the storage tank conducts heat from the transfer liquid and the heat is then absorbed by the thermal media inside the storage tank. Water passes through the evaporator coil and conducts heat from the thermal media, thereby heating the water.