Geothermal home construction

Patent · Tue Dec 04 04:00:00 EST 1979

OSTI ID:5672242

Holman, W P

A method is disclosed for constructing structures to minimize the amount of fuel necessary to heat the structure during winter months. The structure of this invention maximizes the heat obtainable from the earth at depths substantially below the frostline by providing a basement having a relatively thin floor of conducting or noninsulating material and walls with a maximum of reasonable insulation both in the basement level and in the living-level first floor of the structure. Grids are provided adjacent walls and below windows and doors at the first floor level whereby cold air within the house will drop to the basement. The external walls are of standard construction with maximum insulation to protect against heat loss from within the structure. The basement floor adjacent the walls may be insulated if desired. The structure consists of one or more floors over an excavated basement, the basement being at a depth sufficiently below the frostline so that the temperature of the earth or the geothermal heat will be relatively constant. In addition the walls are preferably insulated and the ceiling over the first floor contains insulation also.

• Assignee: TIC; EDB-80-048968; ERA-05-018801
• Patent Number(s): US 4176788
• OSTI ID: 5672242
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
151000* -- Geothermal Energy-- Direct Energy Utilization
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320101 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Residential Buildings-- (-1987)
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
BUILDINGS
CONSTRUCTION
DESIGN
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY TRANSFER
FLOORS
HEAT SINKS
HEAT TRANSFER
HOUSES
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
SOILS
THERMAL INSULATION
WALLS