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08-02-07, 01:08 PM
Have you looked at underground houses? They would probably require much less PV then 6-7 KW. You would not even need a heat pump at all since the house would generally stay at 68F/20C. Air tight construction would be of little concern, I think. Water tight would be important though.
Actually I have. I've looked at the Earthship designs:
http://www.earthship.net/
These are nice designs. Their website does talk about coiling underground piping for heating and cooling. Even with some sunken areas of the home, it's usually necessary to have some heating and/or cooling. It probably depends on how much of the home is actually underground, and how often the doors are opened. I also think you'd still want a heat recovery ventilator. There are probably ways to reduce the need for 6-7 KW PV system to one about 1/2 that size. As I get closer to "design" phase, I'll look into that.
Actually I have. I've looked at the Earthship designs:
http://www.earthship.net/
These are nice designs. Their website does talk about coiling underground piping for heating and cooling. Even with some sunken areas of the home, it's usually necessary to have some heating and/or cooling. It probably depends on how much of the home is actually underground, and how often the doors are opened. I also think you'd still want a heat recovery ventilator. There are probably ways to reduce the need for 6-7 KW PV system to one about 1/2 that size. As I get closer to "design" phase, I'll look into that.