Earth Air Heat Exchanger

dhaslam · 09-15-15, 05:05 AM

It is very easy to make a seasonal heat store on the side of a steep hill. You can cut out a section of the hill, insert insulation, water protection and heat exchange pipes and refill it. It works in the same way as conventional heating/cooling with a heat pump but you retain practically all of the heat. I have much the same but it is constructed above ground with straw bale insulation and uses solar panels for heat because the house does not need cooling in summer. It probably wouldn't cost any more overall than a conventional ground loop system. You get about 50% better COP as well as needing as using a smaller heat pump. The advantage of using the existing hill is that it is completely hidden and stays dry inside.

09-15-15, 05:05 AM	#13
dhaslam Lurking Renovator Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Co Tipperary, Ireland Posts: 21 Thanks: 0 Thanked 11 Times in 11 Posts	It is very easy to make a seasonal heat store on the side of a steep hill. You can cut out a section of the hill, insert insulation, water protection and heat exchange pipes and refill it. It works in the same way as conventional heating/cooling with a heat pump but you retain practically all of the heat. I have much the same but it is constructed above ground with straw bale insulation and uses solar panels for heat because the house does not need cooling in summer. It probably wouldn't cost any more overall than a conventional ground loop system. You get about 50% better COP as well as needing as using a smaller heat pump. The advantage of using the existing hill is that it is completely hidden and stays dry inside.