stumpfield
Gold Member
Since it's hot right now, I thought it's a good time to get cooling advice. I'm in the process of designing our rural home. We will be off-grid so we don't plan to have traditional compressor based air conditioning system. Prefer something not require any electricity at all. During the summer time (July-Sept), 100 degree is the norm here. However, at this elevation (~3000 feet), it cools off to the mid 60's at night. So, the average temperature is perfect if we can some how store the cool nights and release slowly during the day. Or store the heat during day and release slowly at night.
Base on what I have read so far, I know my design needs to have a lot of thermal mass. So, it will have a concrete slab foundation to act as a gaint heat sink and thick walls with lots of insulation.
-Should I dig into the hillside and build an earth shelter with only 1 wall to the south?
-Build deep down and live in the basement during the summer time?
-Bury pipes in the concrete foundation and run cold water through it during the summer?
-Incorporate a solar chimmey to promote air flow and create your own breeze?
-Minimize solar gain with the proper roof over-hang and orientation of the windows (minimize east/west wall exposure and no windows).
any other ideas? Thanks for your help
Base on what I have read so far, I know my design needs to have a lot of thermal mass. So, it will have a concrete slab foundation to act as a gaint heat sink and thick walls with lots of insulation.
-Should I dig into the hillside and build an earth shelter with only 1 wall to the south?
-Build deep down and live in the basement during the summer time?
-Bury pipes in the concrete foundation and run cold water through it during the summer?
-Incorporate a solar chimmey to promote air flow and create your own breeze?
-Minimize solar gain with the proper roof over-hang and orientation of the windows (minimize east/west wall exposure and no windows).
any other ideas? Thanks for your help
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