Patent ID: 8555872

Claim:
A solar heater for space heating, comprising: a collector assembly comprising: a metallic plate; a cover formed of a material transparent to electromagnetic radiation; and a sealing assembly, wherein the plate and the cover are framed by the sealing assembly and a sealed volume is formed between the plate and the cover; and a housing coupled to the collector assembly and forming a seal, wherein a conduit is formed between the plate and the housing and is in fluid connection with an external space by at least one aperture formed within the housing, and wherein the housing comprises an exterior section formed of a rigid plastic and an interior section formed of a plasticized insulating foam; wherein the solar heater is configured for space heating by transmitting electromagnetic radiation incident on the cover to the plate through the sealed volume, and a working fluid within the conduit is heated by convective heat transfer from the plate and exhausted as a heated outlet fluid through the at least one aperture.