[GSBN] Air tight bale buildings and ventilation (Chris Magwood)

[Anthony Novelli]

Yes Chris:

> So the question I have is this: Can we figure out ways to passively (or 
> with gentle mechanical persuasion) ventilate such a home adequately? 
> Solar hot air collectors? Earth tube ventilation? Vent tubing in trombe 
> walls? Solar exhaust fans? Air intake through heated slabs? Gerbil 
> propelled fans in each room?

Our work at DCAT recently has been split in two programs related to code. The first is work that I will invite David Eisenberg to explain- the Safer Insulation Solution.  <<calling Strawnet>>

The second, and more to the point, is a continuation of our focus on code for tribal housing. Passive survivability is a crucial standard that must be part of any real solution on tribal lands where infrastructure is more intermittent. I'm curious whether this goal can be achieved while maintaining health and a modicum of comfort.

A couple of ideas...

1) Have a dedicated solar power system for required ventilation, including battery backup, et al.
2) Expand that to basic refrigeration and lighting needs.
3) Maybe venture into DCATs desire for a standardized DC power system, removing the layers of inefficiency, cost, clutter, and heat from ridiculous numbers of power inverters (correct word?). Lighting, ventilation and refrigeration can certainly all be DC and save conversion efficiency.
4) Operable vents and windows incorporated into design that provide targeted fresh air changes? (excessively complex?).

Lastly, anyone who might have visited Barbara Rose's small permaculture ecovillage in Tucson could see her approach which was very well thought out: Rammed earth walls, site-made adobe floors, well-insulated, high gable roof for spacious interior cathedral with partition walls (shared, open airspace), and a high-efficiency evaporative cooler located centrally, with one simple duct connection to the upper center of house, and strategic operable windows. I think there was a wood stove for heat.

Does this open-air space address this? Sure would be a hard sell with privacy issues in many families.

Best,
Tony