Terra-Dome Earth Shelter Build

[sajurcaju]

OK, I've got another one.

Watts Radiant heat has done Terra Dome homes before (in slab hot water heat). I just saw the details of their plan. The are claiming the following R values:
Roof R50
Walls R22
Windows R2
The roof and wall numbers are nuts. I wish we had that kind of insulation. Exposed walls will be R16. Roof is about the same.
So that's half the story.

Then they go on to recommend water circulation temps for the slab--150F!
I've heard elsewhere that people heat houses like this (Formworks, but same idea) with a hot water heater at 90F.

I'm amazed they could put the R values and water temperature down on the same page with a straight face.

Discussion will be greatly appreciated.

Steve

 

[mjncad]

OK, I've got another one.

Watts Radiant heat has done Terra Dome homes before (in slab hot water heat). I just saw the details of their plan. The are claiming the following R values:
Roof R50
Walls R22
Windows R2
The roof and wall numbers are nuts. I wish we had that kind of insulation. Exposed walls will be R16. Roof is about the same.
So that's half the story.

Then they go on to recommend water circulation temps for the slab--150F!
I've heard elsewhere that people heat houses like this (Formworks, but same idea) with a hot water heater at 90F.

I'm amazed they could put the R values and water temperature down on the same page with a straight face.

Discussion will be greatly appreciated.

Steve

Are they basing the water temps on using a boiler or a heavy duty water heater? Boilers tend to pump out hotter water than the specialized water heaters as shown at www.radiantec.com


You're welcome on the tube suggestion. If you do it that way, please let us know how it works out.

 

[sajurcaju]

Are they basing the water temps on using a boiler or a heavy duty water heater? Boilers tend to pump out hotter water than the specialized water heaters as shown at www.radiantec.com


You're welcome on the tube suggestion. If you do it that way, please let us know how it works out.

They are quoting based on a boiler.

 

[radioman]

sajurcaju - your build sounds interesting, perhaps you could start another thread on your build? I am having trouble differenting yours and sams build. I just want to make sure We all are on the same page here as how the build is going.

 

[sajurcaju]

sajurcaju - your build sounds interesting, perhaps you could start another thread on your build? I am having trouble differenting yours and sams build. I just want to make sure We all are on the same page here as how the build is going.

I am trying to avoid dumping a bunch of stuff on Sam's thread, but I figured this and the previous subject might be things he will be dealing with too.

 

[SamWalton]

I have been out of town working on lock 17. The Corp of Engineers De-waters their lock for maintenance every so many years. We worked on this one for 15 days straight doing 12 hour days plus. Any way I will be back at it. My wife Wendy and my Son Travis have been working hard on sealing the outside section of the footings and grinding the many high spots off the inner concrete walls and ceilings.

I am pleased to have any posts from a fellow earth shelter home builder. Thanks sajurcaju for your participation.

 

[jayste]

Sam, If I didn't know any better I'd say that's one of the locks on the Arkansas river at Webbers Falls, Ok. I guess working on those is a time sensitive operation hence the long and continuous days? I have to say that was a big bug in that last pic!

Jay

 

[SamWalton]

Sam, If I didn't know any better I'd say that's one of the locks on the Arkansas river at Webbers Falls, Ok. I guess working on those is a time sensitive operation hence the long and continuous days? I have to say that was a big bug in that last pic!

Jay

I worked at Chouteau, Lock 17 off the Verdigris River. The Corp of Engineers did both Chouteau Lock 17 and Newt Graham Lock 18. Holding up the navigation channel is a big deal. It is hard to imagine the amount of traffic that is diverted from our rail and road systems by these in land water ways. Luckily the bug in the last picture doesn稚 have the habits of the previous photo.

 

[newbury]

It is hard to imagine the amount of traffic that is diverted from our rail and road systems by these in land water ways.

What I find hard to imagine is that they are not used more for items not time critical.

Cargo moved by the inland waterways system yields an average transportation savings of $10.67 per ton over the cost of shipping by alternative means, translating into an annual savings of over $7 billion to the consumer.

from here

The Army Corps of Engineers provides the only National transportation system.

They give a dam, and a lock.

 

[bigballer]

i want one of those cool safety harnesses for my zip line so i can fly like superman!

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...-dome-earth-shelter-build-2009-08-28_0051.jpg