Earth Tube Air Conditioning question;

[nao57]

So have you guys ever heard of Earth Tube air conditioning before? Its kind of interesting. The basic idea is that it uses the natural ground's lower temperatures below the ground to cool. Then you stick a low power fan in front and you are fine.

But my question about them is; Do the earth tubes have to be horizontal? Can they be done vertical up and down like a well?

This video shows a couple making one so you can get an idea. But basically...the further underground you go, the cooler it is inside. This is why natural cave temperatures (that aren't near volcanic areas) is approximately 55 to 60 degrees F. You won't get that cool unless you go pretty far down. But you only have to go about 5 feet before you start to get a pretty good change in temperature. So this is why I asked on if they could be done vertically instead of horizontal.

Where this gets interesting is that people are trying to de-regulate the electrical grid and make electricity extremely expensive when its just a basic human need. So ideas like this could curb someone's power costs from central air, AC, etc.

 

[RememberTheWay]

I am aware of earth tubes. Have you asked this question on the permies.com forum? You will probably get more educated answers there. I am definitely interested in doing them but I have never seen them done vertically. I would think the reason that is is due to cost of digging vertically so far down and it being harder to install and service if they are done that way not so much that they wouldn't function. You would also have to consider which way the air would naturally vacuum due to the end of the time being two separate temps- ground level being warm and the end at the bottom of your vertical hole would be cold, which I would think would create a vacuum going in the wrong direction? But I'm not expert, just know they use the natural vacuum in earth ship cooling systems. Now, if the bottom of the earth tube actually came out into and underground structure then maybe you could utilize the vacuum to your advantage? But if you're trying to cool and above ground structure it might present a challenge. I also could be totally wrong. I've also seen sunken greenhouses designed to use a natural heat sink, by digging a trench inside the sunken greenhouse. Can't remember where I saw that design utilized though. What are you planning to cool?

Also- just so you know- the depth you need to dig isn't universal. It has to do with where your personal frostline is. Where I'm at in TN I would only need to dig 2.5- 3 ft down to be under that. The frost line is where you start to get cool constant temperatures, and that will be different depending on the region and exact area you live. From what I understand it can be as shallow as 18inchs or as deep as 9-10 ft! I would look up how deep water lines have to be installed on your area to get an idea of what you might be dealing with

 

[nao57]

XD Thanks for the reply. You know its so interesting, there's so many things that have come out now where people realize, 'HEY I COULD LIVE CHEAPLY!' You know? Like stuff like Earth ships and this kind of thing you could literally live with no bills. So this this what interests me about it.

You are also smart to catch on that yes this is linked to earth ships. I didn't mention that but that's what I was thinking. There are some very cool videos on earth ships. Thank you also for mentioning that other site; I'll take a look.

I would like to do one of these. But the catch seems to be that you have to do so much homework on where it won't be banned or get caught in the red tape before you even start. That's the part I don't yet have figured out.

But its very cool. Who doesn't want to save money! And this would let someone retire younger also. Or have more time for things that let them feel good.

 

[RememberTheWay]

XD Thanks for the reply. You know its so interesting, there's so many things that have come out now where people realize, 'HEY I COULD LIVE CHEAPLY!' You know? Like stuff like Earth ships and this kind of thing you could literally live with no bills. So this this what interests me about it.

You are also smart to catch on that yes this is linked to earth ships. I didn't mention that but that's what I was thinking. There are some very cool videos on earth ships. Thank you also for mentioning that other site; I'll take a look.

I would like to do one of these. But the catch seems to be that you have to do so much homework on where it won't be banned or get caught in the red tape before you even start. That's the part I don't yet have figured out.

But its very cool. Who doesn't want to save money! And this would let someone retire younger also. Or have more time for things that let them feel good.

We are lost in a false reality and have the illusion of choice. 2020 was a real eye opener for me, so in a way I am actually thankful. I guess what I'm saying is that there is a silver lining to the tragedy and epic lie that was 2020. It opened my eyes to many things I never would have seen if it hadn't of happened.

Yes- I believe being on this planet gives everyone the inherent right to occupy permanent living space that they don't owe anyone for. Our society is leap's and bounds away from that day, but people are catching on. Right now, we are basically born owing someone for our very existence. Rent, mortgages, electricity, water, food, etc. Most of these things are provided for us naturally and shouldn't cost us.
I really like the Ubuntu movement model for changing existing towns or starting a new one and the kins domain model from the ringing cedars movement. Both are totally viable options for new community/society. We have a huge mess on our hands right now, every single institution is corrupt to it's very core and we are basing our entire society on lies. It's all about control. Everything is inverted in the world we currently live in. Right is left, wrong is right, up is down, in is out, etc . It's absolute insanity when you start to really pull back the covers and ask REAL questions. We are brought up with blinders on and told this is how things are and how we live, no other options, and no one ever stops to question any of it. Example- why do you NEED a birth certificate? How about a driver's license? Or social security number? What exactly is a border? Are the people really different from us who live over an arbitrary border? How about this one- if the government functions by the consent of governed- when exactly did you give your consent to be governed? I don't remember doing that? The questions I have are endles- like who makes these arbitrary rules that I am now supposed to be held to? When did I contract with anyone to be held to these rules? Are we saying that because we are born in a certain area we have no say and are automatically contracted in to be held to certain arbitrary laws?

Anyways - back to you original topic - have you looked into cob, strawbale, or earth bag structures? I've seen some really great designs depending on where you live and what you are looking to do. Personally I really like all three but my favorite would probably be an underground earth bag structure, as it is basically building into it the climate control. I also plan to build a sunken greenhouse so I can utilize it yr round.

As far as codes- I have seen where people submit designs for something that will be approved, start the process, "run out of money" once they've finished what they originally intended, and that's that. I think most of the issues at least here in TN happen once you bring running water onto the property. Before that you are perfectly fine to do composting toilets and alternative water systems, once you pipe in city/county water then they get you with regulations. If it were me in this state I would find a piece of property that is off grid completely and work from there. Technically I think most of these structures would be considered storage buildings or cabins because they aren't on the grid? Personally I like my comforts, like electricity and water, but I am exploring options to be completely independent of the "system" . It's a work in progress. Personally I don't agree with most of the codes and regulations, they are set up to be a racket, not for actual safety AND we all know where giving up our rights for "public safety" leads.

Wouldn't be surprised if this response gets deleted. These type of conversations are probably better had over at pennies

 

[nao57]

We are lost in a false reality and have the illusion of choice. 2020 was a real eye opener for me, so in a way I am actually thankful. I guess what I'm saying is that there is a silver lining to the tragedy and epic lie that was 2020. It opened my eyes to many things I never would have seen if it hadn't of happened.

Yes- I believe being on this planet gives everyone the inherent right to occupy permanent living space that they don't owe anyone for. Our society is leap's and bounds away from that day, but people are catching on. Right now, we are basically born owing someone for our very existence. Rent, mortgages, electricity, water, food, etc. Most of these things are provided for us naturally and shouldn't cost us.
I really like the Ubuntu movement model for changing existing towns or starting a new one and the kins domain model from the ringing cedars movement. Both are totally viable options for new community/society. We have a huge mess on our hands right now, every single institution is corrupt to it's very core and we are basing our entire society on lies. It's all about control. Everything is inverted in the world we currently live in. Right is left, wrong is right, up is down, in is out, etc . It's absolute insanity when you start to really pull back the covers and ask REAL questions. We are brought up with blinders on and told this is how things are and how we live, no other options, and no one ever stops to question any of it. Example- why do you NEED a birth certificate? How about a driver's license? Or social security number? What exactly is a border? Are the people really different from us who live over an arbitrary border? How about this one- if the government functions by the consent of governed- when exactly did you give your consent to be governed? I don't remember doing that? The questions I have are endles- like who makes these arbitrary rules that I am now supposed to be held to? When did I contract with anyone to be held to these rules? Are we saying that because we are born in a certain area we have no say and are automatically contracted in to be held to certain arbitrary laws?

Anyways - back to you original topic - have you looked into cob, strawbale, or earth bag structures? I've seen some really great designs depending on where you live and what you are looking to do. Personally I really like all three but my favorite would probably be an underground earth bag structure, as it is basically building into it the climate control. I also plan to build a sunken greenhouse so I can utilize it yr round.

As far as codes- I have seen where people submit designs for something that will be approved, start the process, "run out of money" once they've finished what they originally intended, and that's that. I think most of the issues at least here in TN happen once you bring running water onto the property. Before that you are perfectly fine to do composting toilets and alternative water systems, once you pipe in city/county water then they get you with regulations. If it were me in this state I would find a piece of property that is off grid completely and work from there. Technically I think most of these structures would be considered storage buildings or cabins because they aren't on the grid? Personally I like my comforts, like electricity and water, but I am exploring options to be completely independent of the "system" . It's a work in progress. Personally I don't agree with most of the codes and regulations, they are set up to be a racket, not for actual safety AND we all know where giving up our rights for "public safety" leads.

Wouldn't be surprised if this response gets deleted. These type of conversations are probably better had over at pennies

Thank you very much. I agree with you, though I'm probably a bit behind. I still have a lot to do to get ready for that. But I like everything you said.

And if we don't do something they'll turn us into slaves.

 

[RememberTheWay]

Thank you very much. I agree with you, though I'm probably a bit behind. I still have a lot to do to get ready for that. But I like everything you said.

And if we don't do something they'll turn us into slaves.

That last part was supposed to say over at permies not pennies

 

[Loving my girls]

My hubby is an aircon geek … sorry love … I will get his opinion when he gets back from dog walk.

 

[Loving my girls]

Me again … in answer to your second paragraph A VERY BIG NO. It will cause bacteria which will come into the house.
Your best bet, even if off grid, has to be solar panels and an aircon unit.