Geothermal Cooling System
Follow the Off Grid Project and learn how to make a geothermal cooling system to cool your home with the Earths natural cool temperature.
About 5 - 6 feet below the surface of the Earth the temperature is a constant 50 degrees F all year round. This cooler temperature can be used to cool your home efficiently.
One plan is to simply lay 4 inch PVC pipe in the ground. One end of the pipe opens up at ground level and has a screen to keep bugs and rodents out. The pipe angles down into the earth to a depth of about 5 or 6 feet. In the middle there should be gravel underneath and drain holes in the pipe to allow condensation to drain out. Angle the pipe back up to the surface right next to your home and bring it inside.
Use a fan inside the home to pull air through the pipe. Fresh air will come into one end of the pipe and travel along the length of the pipe. The air will be cooled down as it travels. 50 degree F air will enter your home, cooling it. This is the most efficient version of geothermal cooling because all it requires is a fan to move the air once it is built.
The length of pipe you use would depend on the size of your home and the size of your yard.
Another version of geothermal cooling system uses buried water tubing under the ground. This system is a bit more complex and costs a little more but is a lot more efficient in energy transfer.
You can use coils of hose or run it back and forth in your yard. Bury it about 5 feet deep or more. The length of tubing depends on the size of your home. More would be better. In this case you will need a water pump to move the water through the tubing. A radiator is needed inside the home with a fan to blow air through the radiator. The water pump circulates water through the tubing. As the water passes through the buried tubing, it picks up the cooler temperature under the Earth. The water flows through the radiator in your home and a fan blows cold air, cooling your house.
Follow the progress as The Off Grid Project progresses. Updates will be constantly posted.
Check out the other projects covered on the list to the right.