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orionsteel
Joined: 22 Jun 2008 Posts: 1
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Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 6:46 pm Post subject: thermal mass under the floor using water for passize solar? |
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hello everyone.
i have a question for everyone about an idea that i have. I am renovating my home and wanted to update it so that it uses passive solar heating.
here is my idea. I put rock/gravel under the floor up to the support beams in the floors. encase that in concrete. In the middle, toward the top, put two lines of concrete blocks running from south to north. One on top and one below. At the south end and the north end have a small concrete holding tank. the outside of the south facing wall would be a thermal mass (throm (spelling???)) wall with class on the outside. The idea was that the thermal mass wall would conduct heat transfer it to the water and then the hot water circulate on the top to the back, cool off, and then sink to the bottom and hopefully go to the front and start over again. Very similiar to the solar slab idea by James Kachadorian. The main difference is that i woudl use water. The questions are as follows
1.) if i used "Structural Insulated Panels" on the floor would the heat conduct through the concrete and "SIP"s to actually make it into the house.
2.) do i need to put some sort of lining or sealer to hold the water or will concrete blocks hold the water in?
3.) is this idea crazy??? |
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csintexas millennium club
Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 1919 Location: USA
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mx2 millennium club
Joined: 18 Jan 2006 Posts: 1968 Location: Miami, Florida
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Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 4:58 pm Post subject: |
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I wouldn't try and reinvent the wheel. There are many, many proven methods and systems available that used solar heated water to heat a home. Look into it. But to answer two of your questions, the SIP is counter productive to your idea...your insulating from heat gain that you want; and secondly, no concrete block will not hold water, especially between the joints. And even if you use cast concrete, it will most likeyl crack and you will have leaks. I would look into a looped radiant heating system (conduit) that snakes through your floor system...
| Quote: | | http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12590 |
mx2.5 _________________ *Art of Architecture: The conscious use of skill and creative imagination in the production of an aesthetic building.
*Science of Architecture: The calculated use of technical skill and knowledge in the construction of a functional building. |
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