Heating And Cooling
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Hello everyone. I have in the past year been following you guys. I think this is really cool. I do have many questions. I will start with one. How do you guys heat and cool your dome homes? Is it conventional? Are there any alternative methods you use?
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I think that aircrete domes are well suited for the rocket-stove-mass-heater. I have seen these systems in action - they are impressive! When I build my dome it will have such a system. The exhaust pipe would travel under the floor, heating the mass of floor. The insulation of the aircrete dome above would hold that heat.
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@zander What about cooling?
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@knowitallteen In some videos Gibran would talk about the hot air escaping through the top of the dome. Is it effective enough to not need air conditioning.
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@knowitallteen Well insulated, air-tight structures with direct earth contact floors maintain a remarkably comfortable temperature even on the hottest days. However, warm moist stagnant air promotes mold growth.
The dome shape is ideal for passive convection cooling. In order to fully harness the benefit of convection cooling, the structure must adequately provide:
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Wall thickness (insulation)
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Skylight opening large enough to let the hot air out
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Ground level vents large enough to let optimum amounts of cool air in*
The limiting factor here is the temperature of the incoming air. We can open ground level windows/vents/doors on the shady side of the building. Perhaps there are trees providing shade on that side.
*ground level vents are ideal for cooling, but standard window height is more practical in general and still quite effective
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Is it effective enough to not need air conditioning.
This is a very subjective question, that is really only answerable by the individual. Will a properly insulated and ventilated dome remain at or below 70 degrees F and between 35-50% humidity even on the hottest most humid days? I wouldn't count on it.
However, I find that the kind of 'weirdos' who are willing to build and live in alternative housing structures, are often willing to tolerate moderate discomforts in order to live a lifestyle more aligned to their internal values.
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@zander I have an idea. When I decide to build my house, I will install a ceiling fan to make up for the discomfort and promote the cooling. A dome is like a funnel that is upside down. It can help draw in warmer air to the top and keep the cold air towards the bottom.
