Earthtube-fed air conditioning?

menaus2 · 09-24-19, 03:41 PM

I have an idea that I haven't been able to find really discussed elsewhere online, so I thought I'd throw it out here.

Basically, instead of using earth tubes to directly condition a space, you would use it to feed cooled air to a 2-hose portable air conditioner.

Potential advantages:
1. Increased efficiency for the air conditioner
2. Eliminates mold concerns associated with earth tubes since heat exchange air and
3. Portable A/Cs are relatively inexpensive ~$400, can easily be upgraded/swapped out.
4. Earth tube design and materials could be simplified since mold isn't so much of a concern.
5. Simplicity/fail-safe nature of air as a fluid. No leaks, special fluids to worry about.

Potential Disadvantages
1. Alternative GSHP, or A/C's could be inherently more efficient with less work.
2. Static pressure in earth tubes, need for booster fans
3. Cost/work involved in excavation for tubes.

Questions:
1. How much of an efficiency gain would the air conditioner see from pre-cooled air?
2. What sort of depth of pipe would be necessary? (a/c only) and in what kind of climates?
3. Thermodynamic effect of condensation in the earth tube?

Cheers!

09-24-19, 03:41 PM	#1
menaus2 Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Driftless Region, North America, Earth, Solar System, Orion Arm, Milky Way Galaxy,Virgo Supercluster Posts: 116 Thanks: 13 Thanked 35 Times in 25 Posts	Earthtube-fed air conditioning? I have an idea that I haven't been able to find really discussed elsewhere online, so I thought I'd throw it out here. Basically, instead of using earth tubes to directly condition a space, you would use it to feed cooled air to a 2-hose portable air conditioner. Potential advantages: 1. Increased efficiency for the air conditioner 2. Eliminates mold concerns associated with earth tubes since heat exchange air and 3. Portable A/Cs are relatively inexpensive ~$400, can easily be upgraded/swapped out. 4. Earth tube design and materials could be simplified since mold isn't so much of a concern. 5. Simplicity/fail-safe nature of air as a fluid. No leaks, special fluids to worry about. Potential Disadvantages 1. Alternative GSHP, or A/C's could be inherently more efficient with less work. 2. Static pressure in earth tubes, need for booster fans 3. Cost/work involved in excavation for tubes. Questions: 1. How much of an efficiency gain would the air conditioner see from pre-cooled air? 2. What sort of depth of pipe would be necessary? (a/c only) and in what kind of climates? 3. Thermodynamic effect of condensation in the earth tube? Cheers!