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Small Cabin Forum / Cabin Construction / Deep earth basement question
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Rifraf
Member
# Posted: 7 Feb 2013 14:04 - Edited by: Rifraf
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I heard you can dig out a 10 - 14 foot deep basement with footers only running up the walls, leaving earth on the ground.. then draw cool air from there in the summer into the cabin.

To me, it seems like there could be flooding issues, as well snake and other "things" all over.

Anyone know much about this cooling technique ?

TomChum
Member
# Posted: 7 Feb 2013 15:40
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Maybe set a zigzag network of large waterproof pipes (6"diameter like ductwork) in the ground then cover it back up? Then blow air thru these ducts to cool it off. Better leave a low point (to catch water) that you can pump from.

Just
Member
# Posted: 7 Feb 2013 15:54
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The problem is the humdity, you will need somthing for that. It would be like a air transfer geo thermal unit .

ShabinNo5
Member
# Posted: 7 Feb 2013 18:29
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Many years ago I read about a design where a 4-6 inch tube was buried in the ground running from a shaded area outside to an entry in the basement. Screens and grates were put in place to keep critters out and the exterior exposure of the tube had the shape of a candy cane to keep rain water out. Then a chimney was placed on the roof and painted black. The chimney had a flue and damper that could be opened in the upper level of the building. The concept was that as the chimney heated up, opening the damper would establish a draft that would draw cool air in through the basement.

exsailor
Member
# Posted: 8 Feb 2013 11:43 - Edited by: exsailor
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ShabinNo5, I have seen this discussed on another forum. I believe this is what you are talking about http://www.mb-soft.com/solar/intake.html I have thought of a simple system addressing the moisture in the pipe problem. This is a rough illustration of my idea. Nothing is to scale just how it might be able to work. So have fun pick at it and let's see if it can be made to work.

This is my first attempt at attaching a file.
ground_ac_with_moist.bmpAttached file: ground_ac_with_moist.bmp
 


Anonymous
# Posted: 8 Feb 2013 12:18
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Here is your answer: http://makeprojects.com/Project/Heat+Exchanger/279/1#.URUyvGeL62Y

Make one of those and instead exchanging the basement air with your house's air, recirculate your house's air through it, using the basement air to cool down your house's air...

Hope that makes sense.
Phil

Anonymous
# Posted: 8 Feb 2013 13:18
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I would be concerned with radon.

TheCabinCalls
Member
# Posted: 8 Feb 2013 15:33
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Sounds like too many potential problems (humidity, radon, wasted space, critters, etc) when there are other great ways to naturally cool a place...as some have mentioned above.

Anonymous
# Posted: 8 Feb 2013 17:19
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Thomas Jefferson's Monticello had a natural cooling system. Google it.

Anonymous
# Posted: 8 Feb 2013 20:08
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This is why old houses had windows in the basement as well as the attic. You open them both, close the windows in the rest of the house and open the doors or accesses to the cellar and attic and get a natural convection.

ShabinNo5
Member
# Posted: 9 Feb 2013 07:11
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exsailor, thanks for the link, I enjoyed the read. Unfortuantely the Shabin is built on bedrock, more blasting than digging.. However your diagram has giving food for thought. The space below the Shabin stays much cooler on hot days.

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