Hey guys,
just wondering if anyone has experimented with earth/air heat exchangers (air tubes) for home cooling/heating in Australia, particularly in Perth. I was hoping to find out what issues came up in application and how successful it was. I am hoping to set up a horizontal grid system for a small house but wanted to check out the viability before I trench my entire back yard. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
Earth air heat exchanger??
(8 posts) (5 voices)-
mac
MemberPosted Thursday 6 Aug 2009 @ 1:35:35 pm from IP # -
ghostgum
MemberFigure out where your storm water and sewerage pipes are located first.
I've only read about them. They provide more gain in colder climates, where the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures is greater, and using the ground temperature moderates this. The type of soil affects how well it works. Sand is a better insulator than clay, so sand doesn't work as well. The air tube should remain dry inside, but may be sitting closer to the water table.
Are you going to do anything else while you have the back yard dug up? Underground water tank?
Posted Thursday 6 Aug 2009 @ 11:37:57 pm from IP # -
mac
MemberThanks for the info.
I will have to do some digging and see what the soil is like, I am only 4km from the beach but hopefully it is not too sandy.
I am not sure about going under ground with the water tank, it will depend on how much yard is left, I do have an unused area beside the house that will fit a decent sized under eave type tank.Posted Friday 7 Aug 2009 @ 1:58:57 am from IP # -
ghostgum
MemberI should add that dry sand isn't ideal, but wet sand is better. But then you have more problem keeping water out. Water is a better absorber of heat than soil or concrete. Regarding water tanks, I was thinking that if you were digging up the back yard for an air tube, then you could put an underground tank above it. Underground tanks are expensive, but if you are already digging up the ground it won't be as bad. Depending on the form of construction, the water tank may affect the temperature of the air tube in a beneficial way. I'm not sure what your water storages are like, but over here they are at 27% capacity and we are on water restrictions.
Remember, I've got no experience with air tubes, so I could be misleading you.
Posted Friday 7 Aug 2009 @ 5:11:05 am from IP # -
At an industry conference in 2007 a famous architect mentioned a proposal he'd been involved in for a Museum or Art Gallery in Perth, which included underground air tunnels for supply of ground cooled air in Summer (among other 'green' systems.)
As I recall the exhausting of warm air thru high vents in the building drew the cool air in.
Apparently a change of someone in the Govt. Department saw the proposal shelved, and an 'ordinary' artificially cooled building done instead.Posted Friday 7 Aug 2009 @ 7:41:07 am from IP # -
Greg
MemberThere is a bit of information around about earth tubes. For a commercially available system have a look at http://www.solarventi.com/slides/diverse/priv_cool/index.html.
For a US Gov't opinion http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12460
I think this is the right attitude working on the principle of "suck it and see"
http://users.tpg.com.au/jonsey/landscaping.htmPosted Friday 7 Aug 2009 @ 8:16:11 am from IP #
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