3 ms·

I don't think earth tubes are ideal for such direct plumbing into living spaces. My understanding is that they tend to develop mold and stagnant moisture will

I don't think earth tubes are ideal for such direct plumbing into living spaces. My understanding is that they tend to develop mold and stagnant moisture will pool in the underground portion. Imagine a hot and humid day, the humid air will condense on the cool walls while passing through the underground section of the tube. Do you really want that to be your fresh air duct? But it seems like a useful mechanism for delivering ground-coupled outdoor air to an outdoor application, which could be a heat exchanger participating in regulating indoor temperatures.

friend_and_foe 3y ago
Yes, my design right now includes a HEPA filter on the intake, preventing spores from ever even getting in the tube, a slight grade downwards towards the intake and a water catchment system at the end with a float tank activated pump to pump the water out periodically.
- pengaru 3y ago
  I'd love to hear how that plays out after a decade of use. It's something I've considered experimenting with for a future ADU/guest-house on my desert property, but it seems too troublesome for my liking.
  - friend_and_foe 3y ago
    Yeah it sounds troublesome at first, but then you realize that digging a trench and laying some pipe is cheaper, easier and less maintenance than having a machine with moving parts and duct work and all that. In a desert I'm guessing in north america, the only things you have to consider are that the ground may be very rocky and also the pipe won't be in wet soil which will mean it will cool less quickly and you have to run a longer pipe. The good side is you're not likely to have tree roots crack the pipe and youre very likely to keep the humidity well below 100% even in the summer. I'd say go for it, deserts are very mold free. You might also consider radiative cooling with some of that super white paint that radiates heat faster than it collects, since you'll have less shadows and clouds it should radiate rather well, downside being colder nights and winters.

friend_and_foe 3y ago

Yes, my design right now includes a HEPA filter on the intake, preventing spores from ever even getting in the tube, a slight grade downwards towards the intake and a water catchment system at the end with a float tank activated pump to pump the water out periodically.

pengaru 3y ago
I'd love to hear how that plays out after a decade of use. It's something I've considered experimenting with for a future ADU/guest-house on my desert property, but it seems too troublesome for my liking.
- friend_and_foe 3y ago
  Yeah it sounds troublesome at first, but then you realize that digging a trench and laying some pipe is cheaper, easier and less maintenance than having a machine with moving parts and duct work and all that. In a desert I'm guessing in north america, the only things you have to consider are that the ground may be very rocky and also the pipe won't be in wet soil which will mean it will cool less quickly and you have to run a longer pipe. The good side is you're not likely to have tree roots crack the pipe and youre very likely to keep the humidity well below 100% even in the summer. I'd say go for it, deserts are very mold free. You might also consider radiative cooling with some of that super white paint that radiates heat faster than it collects, since you'll have less shadows and clouds it should radiate rather well, downside being colder nights and winters.