https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4...s95picture.jpg

Just an update: Some finishing trimwork around the foam insulated exhaust pipe.

You had a relay issue to turn on the blower and i wonder if you resolved it. Many relays can come with 24vac or dc coils or with 120vac coils to switch 120/240vac loads.

Just an update on the system. It's been operating for 9 years or so without a hitch although there have been some changes made to it years ago. First, I closed off the space between the collector and the roof since pigeons liked roosting up there. Second, instead of heating the apartment, I rerouted the ducts so air is drawn from and dumped in the basement. The apartment was heating up too much, and since the whole house thermostat for the boiler is located in that apartment, it was throwing off the temperature for the other apartments. This way heating is more even and helps prevent pipe freezes down there.

In the next year or two I would like to replace the glazing with twinwall polycarbonate. It will give it better performance in colder weather and a more professional look. The corrugated suntuff glazing has held up great, but with the roofing screws it has a ghetto-steampunk vibe that the building could do without.

Do you really think the twin wall poly would help to create more heat?
I didn't think it would make much difference from your original poly?

I agree it will look better (thinking of changing mine as well over to twin wall.) I have 2 hot air collectors in place at my house similar to yours.

Click here https://ecorenovator.org

and I have to tell ya.. when I saw you were sending all that heat into a kitchen first thing that came to mind was overheating the kitchen. :) but you have everything under control now including the pigeons. :thumbup: Good luck with your projects!