FAQ — Nordic Airwall

Everything you need to know about our containerized unglazed heating walls — 40ft mobile systems that deliver 24/7 off-grid heat for farms, industry, events, and emergency relief.

Do you have a question that is not listed here? Please feel free to contact us.

General Questions

1. What is a containerized unglazed heating wall?
A containerized unglazed heating wall is a 40ft shipping container with a high-efficiency perforated solar absorber attached to one side. Sunlight heats the metal wall, air passes through tiny holes, and hot air flows into your building. A thermal gravel battery inside the container stores heat for nighttime and cloudy days — delivering 24/7 free heat.

Our experience: The founder previously built containerized biodiesel refineries (BioKing) — we know how to build reliable, industrial-grade systems inside shipping containers.

2. How much does a containerized heating wall cost?
We offer two models:

Daytime Container: 30 m² collector + fan + ducting. Heats during sunny hours. Price: €15,000 – €18,000.
24/7 Container: 30 m² collector + 10 m³ gravel battery + intelligent bypass + fans. Heats day and night. Price: €22,000 – €28,000.

Prices are indicative. Contact us for a firm quote based on your specific needs.

For those with a smaller budget: We offer rental options starting at €800 – €1,200 per month. This includes delivery, setup support, and maintenance. No upfront investment required.

3. How much can I save on my heating costs?
A 40ft container system delivers up to 18 kW of free heat on a sunny winter day. Compared to running a diesel heater, this saves you €14–€20 per sunny day. Over a typical winter (30–50 sunny days), you save €420–€1,000 in fuel costs. This results in a 30–50% reduction in total heating costs over the season.

Return on investment:

Rental: The rental cost is roughly offset by the fuel savings during the peak winter months — making it a cost-neutral, zero-emission heating alternative.
Purchase: Payback is typically 3–5 years depending on fuel prices and local sun hours. After that, the heat is completely free.

4. How does the container system work?

Daytime (charging + heating): Sun heats the perforated wall to 60–80°C (140–176°F). A fan pulls outside air through tiny holes. Hot air flows into your building. At the same time, excess heat is stored in a gravel battery inside the container.
Nighttime / cloudy (discharging): Cool air from your building passes through the hot gravel battery. The air warms up and returns to your building — free heat, 24 hours a day.
Intelligent bypass: You can choose to send 50% of the hot air directly into the building and 50% into the gravel battery — heating your space AND storing heat for later simultaneously.

5. What temperature does the system deliver?

Ventilation preheating (standard mode): High airflow (100–150 m³/h per panel) — temperature rise 25–35°C (45–63°F).
High-temperature mode: Low airflow (30–50 m³/h) — temperature rise up to 80°C (144°F).
Gravel battery discharge: Variable airflow — temperature rise 30–40°C (86–104°F).

On a sunny winter day with 5°C (41°F) outside, the system delivers air at 30–40°C (86–104°F) — completely free.

6. Does it work in winter?
Yes — absolutely. A solar collector does not need warm air — it needs sunlight. Even at -20°C to -40°C (-4°F to -40°F), on a clear winter day, the sun delivers 400–700 Watts per square metre.

The black perforated wall heats up to 60–80°C (140–176°F) — even when it is freezing outside. The air passing through the tiny holes absorbs that heat and enters your building as warm, preheated ventilation air.

Snow? The vertical wall means snow slides off immediately. Within an hour of sunrise, the panel is clear and working.

The Container System

7. What is inside the container?

30 m² perforated collector wall (attached to the south-facing side)
10 m³ thermal gravel battery (well-insulated, stores 100+ kWh)
Quiet 12V fans (powered by a small solar panel on the roof)
Intelligent bypass system (choose direct heat vs. storage)
Insulated ducting (connects to your building in minutes)
Motorized dampers (automated control based on temperature)

8. Can it run 24/7?
Yes. The gravel battery stores heat during the day and releases it at night. On a sunny day, the system stores enough heat for 10–20 hours of continuous heating — enough to get you through the night and into the next morning.

9. Can I rent a container?
Yes. Renting is the easiest way to try the technology without a large upfront investment.

Rental options:

Daytime Container: €600 – €800 per month
24/7 Container: €800 – €1,200 per month

Minimum rental period: 3 months. Delivery, setup support, and maintenance included.

Applications

10. Is the container suitable for farms?
Yes. A 40ft container is perfect for pig farms, poultry houses, calf stables, and dairy operations.

Benefits for farms:

24/7 fresh air preheating — animals need constant ventilation, the container preheats that air for free
No diesel noise — silent operation, less stress for animals
No emissions — cleaner air for animals and workers
Mobile — move it between buildings or sites as needed
Rent or buy — low-risk entry

Realistic saving: 40–60% reduction in ventilation heating costs.

11. Is it suitable for industry and events?
Yes. Perfect for:

Construction sites — heat site offices, drying areas, and temporary structures
Mining camps — off-grid heating for remote camps
Events and festivals — heat VIP tents, backstage areas, and storage
Disaster relief — plug-and-play heat for refugee camps and emergency shelters
Warehouses — trial the technology before a permanent install

12. What about schools, swimming pools, and public buildings?
Yes — any building with a large ventilation need can benefit from a containerized heating wall. It preheats fresh air before it enters the building, reducing your existing heating load by 20–40%.

Installation & Maintenance

13. How long does installation take?
The container arrives on a truck. You:

Place the container facing south (crane or tilt-bed truck).
Connect the duct to your building (10–15 minutes).
Plug in the solar panel on the roof (or connect the fan to a wall socket).

Total installation time: less than an hour.

14. Do I need specialists to install it?
No. The container is plug-and-play. Anyone with basic hand tools can connect the duct and turn it on. No electricians, no plumbers, no building modifications.

15. What maintenance is required?
Virtually none. The aluminium wall does not rust. Rain washes dust through the perforations. The fans are the only moving parts — and they are sealed, long-life units. We recommend inspecting the fan and duct connections once a year.

16. What happens with snow?
Snow slides off the vertical wall immediately. Within an hour of sunrise, the panel is clear and working. Unlike glazed (glass) systems, there is no snow accumulation, no ice, and no downtime.

Comparisons

17. How does a containerized heating wall compare to a diesel heater?

Fuel cost: Diesel is high (€50–100/day). Nordic Airwall is free (sunlight).
Noise: Diesel is loud. Nordic Airwall is silent.
Emissions: Diesel produces CO₂ and particulates. Nordic Airwall has zero emissions.
Maintenance: Diesel requires regular maintenance. Nordic Airwall requires almost none.
Installation: Diesel requires fuel supply and exhaust. Nordic Airwall is plug-and-play.
Operation: Both run 24/7, but Nordic Airwall uses sun + storage.

Savings: Up to 80% on fuel costs compared to diesel.

18. How does it compare to solar panels (PV)?

What it produces: PV produces electricity (15–20% efficiency). Nordic Airwall produces free hot air (83% thermal efficiency).
Winter performance: PV drops drastically in winter. Nordic Airwall works best in winter.
Storage: PV requires expensive batteries. Nordic Airwall uses a cheap, simple gravel battery.
Application: They are complementary. Use PV for lights and appliances. Use Nordic Airwall for heating.

19. How does it compare to glazed (glass) solar air heaters?

Glass: Glazed systems break and accumulate snow. Nordic Airwall has no glass — snow slides off.
Snow performance: Glazed systems are blocked until snow melts. Nordic Airwall is clear within an hour of sunrise.
Efficiency: Glazed systems are 65–75%. Nordic Airwall is 83%.
Airflow: Glazed systems have limited airflow behind the glass. Nordic Airwall has high-volume airflow through perforations.
Cost & Mobility: Nordic Airwall is lower cost and fully mobile (40ft container).

Customisation & Advice

20. Can I customise the container?
Yes. We can customise:

Collector size (30 m² is standard — larger or smaller available)
Gravel battery size (more storage for longer autonomy)
Fan capacity (higher airflow for larger buildings)
Duct connection size and type
Colour and branding (paint the container with your logo)

21. How big should my container system be?
The standard 40ft container has 30 m² of collector surface. This is suitable for:

Construction site office: 1–2 containers
Pig/poultry farm: 1–2 containers per 1,000 m²
Event tent: 1 container per 200–500 m² of tent
School / community building: 1–2 containers

22. Is rental better than buying?

Rental: Low upfront cost (monthly payments), flexible (move it, return it, upgrade), maintenance included. Best for temporary projects, testing, or seasonal use.
Purchase: High upfront cost (one-time), you own it permanently, maintenance is your responsibility. Best for permanent installations and long-term use.

We offer both.

About Us / Credibility

23. Who is Nordic Airwall?
We are a Dutch company specialized in containerized unglazed heating walls — mobile 24/7 solar air heating systems.

Our track record: The founder previously built the world's first containerized biodiesel refineries (BioKing). We know how to build reliable, industrial-grade systems inside shipping containers. Heating walls are our next step — taking the same proven containerized approach to deliver free, clean heat anywhere.

24. Can I see a container in action?
Yes. We have demo units available. Contact us to arrange a site visit or to see a container operating in the field.

Still have a question?

We are happy to help. Please feel free to contact us.

📧 info@nordicairwall.com
🌐 nordicairwall.com
📱 WhatsApp: +31 6 2044 7198

We usually respond within 24 hours.

Nordic Airwall — Containerized unglazed heating walls for 24/7 off-grid heat.