Can you put a well tank in the root cellar?

Ok. Ohh so new to all of this. We are in process of starting to build. Is it possible to put your well tank in the root cellar?
Pros?? Cons??
We haven’t done anything yet. Just in planning phase. Thought I’d ask some who would have a clearer handle on this subject. Thanks, Miriam

Hi Miriam,

Welcome to Permies.

Miriam Simmons wrote:Ok. Ohh so new to all of this. We are in process of starting to build. Is it possible to put your well tank in the root cellar?
Pros?? Cons??

Yes! In the right conditions it's a good mix. In fact, the well system creates root veg storage. In our dry winters I have seen this combination extend the storage life of potatoes etc. Some cooling, some extra humidity, all of the non-chemical environmental aspects that make a difference.

But here's the catch: your location, relative temperatures and relative humidity in the storing season are key.  An uninsulated well tank (pressure tank) can condense a lot of moisture from the air, which may be helpful ... or may cause mold problems. Can you give us a bit more information to work with?

Welcome to Permies!

Can you give us a bit more information to work with?

As in, where in the world are you? Your general location, climate, would suffice.

If you are talking about a pressure tank, yes, a root cellar would make perfect sense.

Are there other kinds of well tanks?

I don't have a root cellar so we put our pressure tank in a building that we built specifically for the pressure tank.

I'm not sure it would be helpful...  It would be helping moderate the temperature in the root cellar to your "deep earth" water temperature.  In my area that's 43 degrees.  If you're warmer than northern WI then it could be warmer.  Ideal root cellar temps are closer to 33 degrees.  So this would help keep it cool all summer but maybe heat it in the winter...

They condense a lot of water but that doesn't make it more humid in the cellar, it probably dries it out.  New water isn't appearing in the cellar so any condensation on the tank came out of the air.  Root cellars do well when they're around 95% humidity.

The humidity and condensation may rust out the tank earlier than if it was in the basement.  If the pump is in the root cellar too it's also more subject to that rusting.  It would be quieter though...

Currently my cistern and root celler..ish occupies the same part of my basement and seem to complement each other well. Growing up our root celler was the top 10 feet of the well where the pressure tank was.