Passive cooling for hot humid climates

Conference · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:5086664

Akridge, J. M.; Benton, C. C.

Earth Tempering is a term presently used for structures which are either buried or semi-buried. These structures typically use the ground as an insulating element and as a high capacitance barrier for the dynamic attenuation of heat flux. In the proper environmental context, an earth tempered building can perform quite well. Unfortunately, underground buildings can be expected to meet considerable market resistance due to a number of factors. These include an increase in construction costs, waterproofing criteria, excessive site modifications and mass public resistance to subterranean housing. This has led to a possible cooling concept which the authors call Detached Earth Tempering (DET). The scheme involves an intimate but indirect coupling of selected building elements to the earth as a heat sink. Successfully applied, the concept promises the advantages of below-ground earth tempered construction without the structural, moisture, site and cost liabilities usually associated with below-grade buildings. The advantages and disadvantages of Detached Earth Tempering are addressed and a research program is described which is currently investigating the concept. Data are presented on measured performance and predicted performance.

• Research Organization: Georgia Inst. of Tech., Atlanta (USA). Coll. of Architecture
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-79CS30238
• OSTI ID: 5086664
• Report Number(s): CONF-811109-5; ON: DE82016231
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140901* -- Solar Thermal Utilization-- Space Heating & Cooling
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320100 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Buildings
APPLIANCES
AUXILIARY SYSTEMS
BUILDINGS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
COOLING LOAD
EQUIPMENT
FLUIDS
HEAT PUMPS
HEAT TRANSFER FLUIDS
HEATERS
OPERATION
PASSIVE SOLAR COOLING SYSTEMS
PERFORMANCE
SIMULATION
SOILS
SOLAR COOLING SYSTEMS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION
TUBES
WATER HEATERS