Heating and Cooling With The Sun
(Page 4 of 7)
Mr. Harmon can achieve still more indoor air conditioning
by activating his "swamp cooler": a broad belt of thin foam
pad, revolving in a shallow tub of water, through which
forced air is passed. (Jim also has plans for an indoor hot
tub . . . which could function all year to provide humidity
or heat as required, depending on the season.)
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And in the Winter
The same system that cools the interior air in summer also
furnishes a temperate climate during the colder months. And
even though the convective action is not as pronounced in
the wintertime, the design and orientation of the
structure's roof—backed up with the option of
activating the electric fan—assures that comfortable
ventilation is always available.
In addition, a considerable amount of winter heat is
derived from direct insolation. Because the sun is low in
the sky, its light can stream unhindered through the main
southfacing windows and the vertical clerestory glazing at
the peak of the roof. Jim has installed freestanding
redwood grape arbors above all the southern-exposed
windows, to provide summer shade and delicious fruit. Come
cold weather, the vines dry up, so sunlight can pass
through the arbors.
An Airtight Thermos Bottle
Of course, the home's unique ventilation system operates
properly only if the doors and windows are closed and the
walls are relatively airtight. But varying levels
of comfort can be attained at any time of the year by
opening the windows as desired.
Another factor which contributes to the success of the
Harmon desert home design is the fact that J. H. has gone
to great lengths to properly insulate the structure. The
lower portion of the dwelling is, of course, earthsheltered
. . . and the upper part, framed with 2 X 6 studs, is also
just about impervious to nearly any temperature fluctuation
that may occur. Behind the tongue-and-groove interior
sheathing are two batts of fiberglass insulation, then a
layer of 3/8" plywood. This surface is covered with 1"
polystyrene, which, in turn, is veneered with builder's
foil.
The final covering is an exterior facade of
ladrillos , or Mexican brick (similar in its
thermal mass effects to the materials used in Native
American earthen shelters), which is set slightly away from
the backing wall's foil-covered surface . . . to provide an
air space through which excess heat-absorbed by the brick
and reflected from the builder's foil—can escape into
the roof channels. In addition to practicing careful wall
construction, the professor has fully insulated each thick
exterior door to create a thermal barrier and a work of art
in one unit.
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