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Book on how to build earth tubes for free air conditioning

 
Posts: 32
Location: Pubnico, Nova Scotia
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Back in the 90s we built a passive solar straw bale house and included earth tubes. We lived in Nebraska at the time, and had visited homes of different people who built earthtubes too, and enjoyed the natural cooling that they brought to their homes. I asked lots of questions! After learning everything we could, we built these 100' long tubes, which were underground (had holes underneath their length to allow condensation out into gravel). Basically, it's 1 tube for each room, or 2 for a large room. These are completely passive.

Here's how they work:

You close up the house and open ONE high window. This causes a thermosiphon effect, so that the hot air escapes the top of the house, and pulls in the air slowly through the tubes from outside. As the air travels SLOWLY (that is the key, as fans and forced pressure deplete the earth's stable temperatures too quickly, tapping them out) through the tubes, the air cools, condenses out and rolls down the tube into the gravel, so that the air entering the house is cooler and dryer, much like how an A/C works to cool air--by removing humidity. Screens are placed over the tube opening outside to keep rodents from entering, and the tubes that come out of the ground above grade should curve like an upside-down "J" to keep the rain out. These tubes can cool the house by 5-10 degrees F compared to the outside temperature.

Here is the title and link below for people who want more information:

DIY: How to Make Cheap Air Conditioning Earth Tubes:
Do It Yourself Homemade Air Conditioner - Non-Electric Sustainable Design - Geothermal Energy - Passive Heating and Cooling

https://www.amazon.com/DIY-Conditioning-Conditioner-Non-Electric-Sustainable/dp/1523260106/ref=sr_1_2?crid=AHKVTBWFQRGU&keywords=sharon+buydens&qid=1655416712&s=books&sprefix=sharon+buyden%2Cstripbooks%2C248&sr=1-2
 
pollinator
Posts: 5347
Location: Bendigo , Australia
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plumbing earthworks bee building homestead greening the desert
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What diamewter pipes did you use?
 
Sharon Buydens
Posts: 32
Location: Pubnico, Nova Scotia
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We used 4" thin-wall (sewer) pipe, new off the shelf. Some people are using 6-8" diam pipe though with good results.
 
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I have a 12x12 cabin built on piers about 18” above grade. Wondering if this method would still be effective if I put a 90 underground and had a pipe go up the 18” into the house? Thanks!
 
John C Daley
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Location: Bendigo , Australia
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Josh there is no reason why it will not work in your situation
 
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