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The Company designs, manufactures and sells a line of solar heating systems which utilize
solar-generated hot attic air for heating swimming pools, space and hot water. In addition, the
Company manufactures an attic ventilation system and a combination attic ventilation and space
heating system (GB-Series). The Company’s solar heating products eliminate the need for solar
roof panels. The Company’s ventilation products eliminate the need for roof vents (holes, etc.).
• One space heating system.
•Three combination space heating/ventilation systems.
• Two ventilation systems.
• One electronic controller.
The Company also publishes and sells a small collection of manuals and papers relating to its
technology. However, since the Company has placed this collection of manuals and papers on its
World Wide Web site for free distribution, sales of these literature products have declined. The
Company’s strategy with the literature products was to offset part of the costs of educating the
public. Towards that extent, the “literature” strategy has been a success, which is now being
handled almost exclusively by the Company’s web site file transfers. People from around the
world now have access to an abundant amount of free information about the Company, its
technologies and its products.
At June 30, 1999, the Company’s web site consisted of over 450 html pages (hypertext markup
language browser pages) which either present company information or lead the browser to more
in-depth information. The Company’s Internet site is over 20 megabytes in size, which is
considered large for a business web site and includes over 39 downloadable Acrobat PDF (portable
document) files. These files include the Company’s comprehensive 114 page PCS1 Pool Heater
Technical Manual, the Solar 95 Technical Paper and even an independent marketing report written
by a MBA student. It is the Company’s strategy to locate all public information about the
Company that it can on this web site or at least linked to this web site. Exceptions, of course,
would be trade secrets and other confidential non-public information.
The Company’s SolarAttic® pool, space heating, GB-Series combination space heating-
ventilation, ventilation systems and the SAVC02 electronic control are existing product lines,
which are in limited production at this time. Through June 1999, the Company has sold over 285
pool heating systems to customers in 31 different states. The Company believes that the
combination of these product lines will yield a manufacturing operation affected minimally by
seasonal cycles.
The following graphic illustrations of the Company’s technology are designed to present the
conceptual basis for the Company’s solar heating and ventilation products. The attic-based solar
heating systems use either an “air-to-liquid” or an “air-to-air” heat exchanger. The attic based
ventilation systems are simple fans or centrifugal blowers connected to the Company’s proprietary
perforated duct. The conceptual graphics are accompanied by actual pictures, specifications and
sales literature benefit messages of the different products where appropriate.
The first product developed by SolarAttic is a swimming pool heater that uses forced air
convection technology to capture hot attic air (heat) and transfer it to swimming pools. While the
swimming pool is heated, the house is cooled. The pool heater is a simple radiator concept inside
the attic, which works opposite of the auto radiator. The solar energy dynamics are astonishing
with a $11 electric bill to run SolarAttic's heater typically replacing a $200 natural gas bill.
A basic system with no automatic controls.
Note: PCS1 is an acronym that stands for Pool Convection System 1
An automated system with electronic solar controller that
automatically activates the system when heat is required and solar conditions are met.
automatically activate the system when heat is required and when solar conditions are met.
This system also includes a flow reversal valve which routes heated water up through the
pool’s floor drain rather than returning heated water through the pool’s return lines. This
feature helps keep the pool temperature uniform from bottom to the top, and substantially
reduces the pool’s overall heat needs.
The Company believes (based on its studies and customer responses) that its pool heating
systems offer the following key benefits to pool owners:
•
•
•
Significant reductions in air conditioning costs by elimination of attic heat.
The utility cost savings will pay for the system in many instances.
There are no aesthetic problems caused by roof or yard-mounted solar panels.
U. S. Patent 5,014,770
throughout the day. The roof itself functions as a “massive solar collector.” Solar radiation
reaches the attic through a process called “conduction.” The attic functions as a storage and heat
transfer area. The PCS1 is physically located inside the attic and then transfers this solar radiation
from the attic air into the swimming pool’s water through a process called “forced air convection.”
attic is eight degrees hotter than the pool and the pool needs heat, the LX220 automatically routes
water up to the PCS1 and turns it on. It can even synchronize the pool’s pump by turning it on at
the same time. Temperature sensors sense the pool and attic temperatures, and maximum heat is
then extracted automatically. The pool owner simply sets the desired thermostat setting on the
LX220. Flowreversal™ can substantially reduce the pool’s heat demand by allowing the heat to
rise from the main drain. Flowreversal™ is a trademark of Mark Urban, Tustin, California. A
pool blanket can be used when the pool is not in use thereby minimizing heat losses caused by
evaporation (60%).
• Up to 70,000 gallons with FlowReversal™ valves
32ºF
I.E. Pool water input 72ºF & Attic’s Peak @ 104ºF
• BTU Transfer Range: 20-150,000 BTUs per hour
• Attic space required: 3 ft min height to peak; and,
square ft of attic equal to or greater than pool sq ft
• Attic access: Fits through standard 24" o.c. trusses
• Minimum access opening recommended: 21"x 31"
• Can be disassembled for smaller access openings
• PCS1 Size: 33"W x 30"H x 18"D
• PCS1 Weight: 135 pounds
• Shipping Crate Size: 42"W x 38"H x 24"D
• Shipping/Crated Weight: 246-253 pounds
• Power: 220 vac 1.8 amps @ Full Load
• Operating Cost: $5-11 per month @ 9¢ per KW/hour
• U.L. Listed: Coil, Motor & other components
• Plumbing: 1 1/2" or 2" PVC typical
• Pressure Drop: 4-6 PSI typical
• Air Flow Rate: 2500 SCFM
• Water Flow Rate: Range 15-80 GPM
• Optimal Water Flow Rate: 45-55 GPM
• Modes: Manual Off & On
• Optional Automatic Operation: LX220 control
1. SolarAttic Space Heater — Model BD465. This heating system takes warm attic air
and distributes it into living spaces that need heat. The system is automatic, providing heat only
when attic heat is available and when it is required in living space.
The SolarAttic Space Heater (BD465) is comprised of a simple blower and plenum assembly
that mounts at the apex of the attic. From this location, the fan automatically draws in warm attic
air. Once drawn into the blower, the warm attic air is redistributed down into the house’s living
spaces via flexible ducts and ceiling diffusers designed for space heating purposes.
When this system operates, the main heating system operates in a limited, backup mode,
providing additional heat only when necessary. The SolarAttic space heater is fully automatic.
The Company believes its space heating technology has both residential and commercial
applications. The original West Virginia manufacturer reported several commercial installations.
The Company believes (based on customer responses) that its space heating system offers the
following key benefits to homeowners:
•
•
Complete kit weighs only 32 pounds and is easy for do-it-yourself installation.
Maintenance free simple energy saving technology.