Heating and Cooling With The Sun
(Page 3 of 7)
The terminal point for the tubes—just a 2' X 2'
concrete-block well extending from ground level to a depth
of about 4'—is capped with a reworked kitchen exhaust
fan that allows air to be drawn through even when the motor
is off. Occasionally, use of the fan is required to force
air through the system and into the house.
RELATED CONTENT
The U.S. Department of Energy's work with the city of Greensburg, Kan., over the past year is beari...
. . . ENERGY FLASHES...... ENERGY FLASHES...... ENERGY FLASHES. . . September/October 1982 POPEYE W...
A new study predicts we could have one quarter of our energy needs from renewable sources by 2025, ...
Which renewable energy technology has the best potential to combat global warming and power our fut...
Missouri creates a stronger market for renewable energy by passing a clean energy initiative....
Normally, though, the intensity of the sun (and, in part,
the direction of the prevailing winds) is great enough to
cause the ventilation cycle to operate admirably. In
addition to the underground tubes, Professor Harmon's
design incorporates, in effect, two useful layers
of roof on its windward side: the standard exterior
surface, covered with tar and gravel, and an
interior roof which is nothing more than pine
tongue-and-groove finish sheathing fastened to the lower
face of the roof joists. The upper surface of the inner
roof is lined with builder's foil to form air passageways
within the home's "cap." Jim provided inlets and outlets
for the built-in ventilation channels by drilling a
quantity of 1/2" holes (in circular groups) through the
soffits outside the house, and likewise by opening the
ducts to the atmosphere at the apex of the roof, where he's
built what he calls the "tower of power" . . . which is
also ventilated, through the use of small ducts, to the air
within the home itself.
In the Summer . . .
Hence, during the hot season, as the sun beats down on the
structure's roof with a vengeance, it initiates a
natural convection and suction (see sidebar) that
provides the home with fresh, comparatively cool air. To
help the cooling process during periods of intense summer
heat, Jim also had the fore sight to install
exterior venetian blinds on the south-facing,
leeward side of the house . . . which he closes to prevent
the sun from beating in through the windows. Since these
"light shutters" are external (not to mention
white in color), heat never has a chance to find its way
into the house.
Another trick up Jim Harmon's thermal sleeve is the very
convenient cooling effect of evaporation. During the
hottest part of the year (when J. H.'s gardens need the
most moisture anyway), the professor supplies the
liquid by activating his buried sprinkling system. The
sprinklers soak the ground, and as the water evaporates
from the sandy soil, the temperature of the earth decreases
considerably . . . which, in turn, helps to further cool
the incoming air in the underground vent tubes!
Page:
<< Previous 1 |
2 | 3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
Next >>
