Root cellar / cool storage room?

[etpm]

You know, people in the middle east have for centuries made cooling systems that are totally passive. They rely on just wind and temperature and the design of the structure to provide substantive cooling. Links to get you started:

Eric

 

[ericm979]

An alternative is, we have a "storage room" ~10x10 in the downstairs,

We're doing that in the new place. An insulated room in the back corner of the walk in basement. It will get a small A/C controlled by a coolbot. Part will be wine cellar, part root cellar. Yes the ideal conditions for each are a little different so we'll have to compromise a bit.

When I was a teen my dad got really into wine. He built an insulated wine cellar in the garage, cooled with an A/C unit. It worked pretty well.

 

[RayIN]

You mentioned storing apples; professional apple storage depends of lack of oxygen and cold. Temperature is high 30's F, with an oxygen level too low to support human life. That's how stores can sell apples year-around.

 

[CalG]

You know, people in the middle east have for centuries made cooling systems that are totally passive. They rely on just wind and temperature and the design of the structure to provide substantive cooling. Links to get you started:

Eric

Those methods lead to mold and other undesirable results.

Sick houses are a real issue.

 

[CalG]

Since the root cellar will require aux cooling,the existing room sounds attractive and less work. A room air conditioner will be problematic below 60f. Freeze-ups, short compressor life and poor energy efficiency. If you have working knowledge of refrigeration or have someone that does I'd salvage a small refrigeration unit or even a used refrigerator or freezer components. Components of a commercial double door can handle the room if well insulated. If 300 cu ft is enough space, sealing off and dropping ceiling in part of room could be cooled with components from domestic refrigerator/freezer.

Scrap metal yard and scrapper guys who haul old appliances away for dealers are good source for old appliances. If you test 10 domestic fridges in a scrapyard , 5 would have failed t-stat, 2 would have clogged condenser coils(if all 10 had coils instead of using case) 2 would have bad compressor and one would be fully functional.

If you don't have wherewithal to utilize salvage components, here's something you might be able to use. I had my technicians carry an Inkbird controller to sub in emergency for fridge/freezer tstat until correct replacement could be obtained. $20-$30 and will handle home units, or with help of a relay,big commercial unit.

of those 10 fridges,
9 would just need a new motor start capacitor... ;-)

 

[ning]

You mentioned storing apples; professional apple storage depends of lack of oxygen and cold. Temperature is high 30's F, with an oxygen level too low to support human life. That's how stores can sell apples year-around.

> professional apple storage
Nobody's expecting professional storage out of this, just a simulation of a root cellar.
We do surprisingly well in the barely-cool room as it is.
Reducing temperatures alone will get us a good amount more, even if the apples don't last till spring.
Also, it's not all about apples.

 

[Jstpssng]

You mentioned storing apples; professional apple storage depends of lack of oxygen and cold. Temperature is high 30's F, with an oxygen level too low to support human life. That's how stores can sell apples year-around.

They also taste like cardboard.

When it comes to storing apples, variety matters. Most of your commercially grown fruit is bred for uniformity, eye appeal, and ease of shipping. Raise some old varieties such as Winesap, Golden Russet, Northern Spy or other long keepers and you will be ahead of the game.

 

[etpm]

Those methods lead to mold and other undesirable results.

Sick houses are a real issue.

Oh Well. Good thing the example is not the only way to achieve passive cooling.
Eric