ICC
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# Posted: 12 Oct 2017 11:12pm - Edited by: ICC
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Quoting: crb1077 and cooling alternatives. What I’m thinking is a combo root cellar
A proper root cellar has high humidity. If you are thinking of exchanging air between the cellar and the cabin, that is not very compatible with human comfort where we like to keep humidity low.
You could use the constant temperature of the earth down at the 6 - 8 foot level in an heat exchange system, based on heat pump technology. The systems that utilize drilled holes are not cheap to install but can run off solar for both heating and cooling. Some climates permit use of shallower trenches for the heat exchange tubing. The idea is the heat is moved out of the earth or into the earth with no exchange of air or moisture.
Rockies opined that cooling could not be done on solar, but it can. I do it and a couple of friends do it. We do it with high quality mini split heat pumps like the best offerings from Panasonic, Mitsubishi and Fujitsu. Heat and cool, though heating efficiency is too low in some winter climates such as found in most northern states or Canada. These units are all above ground, have an exterior unit and can have several indoor units in different rooms for zoned temperature control. Couple them with a smart thermostat and it is incredible what can be done. They offer some incredible high SEER ratings these days. And yeah the solar array does have to be larger than the typical small cabin system, or be on a tracker.
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