Heating a dome in winter
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Hi Domies! I'm preparing to build my 2nd dome and would like to know what other builders have used for heat in temperate climates. My first dome had underfloor gas heating but I'm looking to get away from fossil fuels. It wasn't very efficient and my big round window developed a LOT of condensation in winter. Any suggestions? Wood stove? Wall radiators? Thicker blocks? Thanks so much!
Karen -
From what I've experienced firsthand, rocket mass heaters are the most efficient form of heat available. They produce the cleanest exhaust, and introduce the least amount of toxins into your interior living space.
A rocket mass heater combined with passive solar technology (equator facing windows) and a Heat Recovery Ventilator would be the ultimate winter solution in my opinion.
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Thanks for that! I've never made a rocket stove but that seems like the way to go.
cheers,
Karen -
Aside from being inefficient, typical wood and pellet stoves release a significant amount of toxic gases into the living space. With aircrete domes and other tight envelope structures, this becomes more of a concern. Because of the tight envelope, having a Heat Recovery Ventilator would be an awesome addition to Passive Solar and a Rocket Mass Heater.
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@Zander @permiegal Have you considered geothermal heating systems? It is expensive, but if you do the excavation needed yourself, you can cut the cost down by a lot. Plus, the electricity use is much better compared to the furnace.
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@KnowItAllTeen
I hadn't considered geothermal, but there's a possibility the land owner would build a cluster of domes, then they could maybe share one unit to heat all of them. He also has his own digger so the cost of trenching would be minimal. I love the idea of using the earth to heat and cool the domes. Thanks for the suggestion! If you have time on your hands next November come on down to New Zealand for our workshop. We're just in the beginning stage of pulling it all together.
