I just wanted to post that my project on earth-air tubes has been approved by The U-REAP program. I just got my letter today. I am excited and nervous about such an undertaking, I guess now I have to get to work on my models and building plans. Looking forward to getting a small building built. Congrats to everyone else who received the award.
Peace
Chris
I AM USING THIS BLOG AS A WAY TO SHARE MY RESEARCH ON AN EARTH TUBE SYSTEM. IT WAS ORIGINALLY PART OF MY COURSE CONTENT, BUT I HOPE TO USE IT AS A WAY TO SHARE MY PASSION ON GREEN BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES. I ALSO INTEND TO USE IT AS A PLATFORM TO WORK ON MY OTHER PASSION, WHICH IS WRITING.
WHY EARTH TUBES?
Why Earth Tubes? When I first stumbled upon earth tubes, I was searching for a natural and passive means of air conditioning for homes. I remember seeing a photo of such a system in an arabic country in one of the many green architecture books I have read. I couldn't find that system, but was very pleased with what I had found. Earth tubes are a method to precondition the air for your home or building. The system is very simple, .tubes are buried under the ground where the temperature stays relativelly constant. There is an inlet for the ambient air to enter the system. As it travels through the tubes, it is conditioned by the temperature under ground. In the winter the air is warmed, in the summer it is cooled. The air then enters your building by an outlet using a small fan to keep the air flowing. Thus your air is pre conditioned.
Who am I? My name is Chris Carrier. I am a husband, a father, a student at Thompson Rivers University, an employee with the city of Kamloops, and have been a number of different things at different times and stages of my life. I am not a typical student, since I am in my early forties. I have been interested in green buildings and architecture since my days as a tree house dweller in Uclulet, BC. I am also a budding writer. My published works include "Dragon Problem's" by Hur publishing and an article entitled "Of Kids and Hobbits" published in Kamloops Momma, a local parenting magazine.
What is the goal of the research? The main goal of my research is to determine if earth tubes are a viable option for Kamloops, BC. In addition to this, I would like to find low impact technologies that could be used in the construction industry that could be used to lessen the environmental impacts of the way we do things in the construction industry. As the planet continues to warm, a leaner, meaner, way of constructing homes and buildings can be achieved, today. The technology exists to change course. I have taken my LEED Green Associate course and hope to incorporate some of the technologies into my research.
As part of my research, I have been building a small cabin on a relatives property. I have built an earth tube system and have been testing it throughout the summer. The cabin will become a sort of testing ground for different systems I am interested in. The cabin has been built old school, using a hand saw, a cordless drill, and a hammer and nails. I have been posting pictures on the blog to keep people updated with my project.
Who am I? My name is Chris Carrier. I am a husband, a father, a student at Thompson Rivers University, an employee with the city of Kamloops, and have been a number of different things at different times and stages of my life. I am not a typical student, since I am in my early forties. I have been interested in green buildings and architecture since my days as a tree house dweller in Uclulet, BC. I am also a budding writer. My published works include "Dragon Problem's" by Hur publishing and an article entitled "Of Kids and Hobbits" published in Kamloops Momma, a local parenting magazine.
What is the goal of the research? The main goal of my research is to determine if earth tubes are a viable option for Kamloops, BC. In addition to this, I would like to find low impact technologies that could be used in the construction industry that could be used to lessen the environmental impacts of the way we do things in the construction industry. As the planet continues to warm, a leaner, meaner, way of constructing homes and buildings can be achieved, today. The technology exists to change course. I have taken my LEED Green Associate course and hope to incorporate some of the technologies into my research.
As part of my research, I have been building a small cabin on a relatives property. I have built an earth tube system and have been testing it throughout the summer. The cabin will become a sort of testing ground for different systems I am interested in. The cabin has been built old school, using a hand saw, a cordless drill, and a hammer and nails. I have been posting pictures on the blog to keep people updated with my project.
Congratulate, Chris.
ReplyDeleteWay to go Chris. Glad to see hard work pay off. Cant wait to see what you do with this Scholership
ReplyDeleteThanks Nathan and Xiaoyang!
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely going to be a fun and busy summer. I'll need to get my building done very soon.
congrats chris, glad the hard work paid off :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Otto,
ReplyDeleteSorry you didn't get the UREAP.
Peace
Chris
Congrats Chris,
ReplyDeleteYou deserve it buddy. Food for thought, anyway of capturing the excess heat being exhausted from the tubes. It would seem there's opportunity for another step in using the heat generated. Maybe it could be routed around windows and door to help with reduced r-values.
Shawn
Hi SHawn,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment. THere is not much I can do with the heat loss since it is being absorbed by the ground. However, during the winter months, according to my research, Earth tubes can reduce heating costs by more than 25% due to the preconditioned air. For my projetc though I am only looking at cooling.
Peace
Chris