Hi Leland,

Long day. We have an inline fan that's 240v variable speed continuous duty 
that pulls the air through system rather than pushing it through to cut down 
on "stacking". We run the air the same direction year round because it's 
really intended to act more like a heat battery. When we send in more heat 
than it has in it it absorbs it and either gives it back in the winter when 
nights are cold or it sends it into the ground when days are hot in summer 
to help keep the house cool. The principle is the same as Cuyler's in that 
we can count on ground temperature below the basement floor to be fairly 
constant. The only issue I still want to address is humidity and I just 
haven't had time to research in line dehumidifiers. For now we're using 
portable units with limited success.

As far as destroying architecture is concerned, I am a strong believer in 
the basic principle that real conservation is keeping buildings usefull. 
Part of my approach is paying attention to the time traveling part of 
conservation. When Count Rumford was weaving his magic spell the open hearth 
was on its way out. The other Ben's great invention was a big part of it but 
the rising relative cost of energy was already being felt. Today modern SIP 
enclosures have created a new thermal environment and for people like us the 
central hearth can once again be a wonderful way to enjoy the heating 
season.

Rudy

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Leland Torrence" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, December 10, 2007 10:26 AM
Subject: Re: [BP] The Sustainability of the Puritan way


> Rudy,
>
> That is one special house.  How does the air circulate through the tubes?
> (Same question for Cuyler's rock wall - what "pumps" the air up and down
> while cooling or heating?)  On another note, wasn't it someone on this 
> list
> that quoted someone as saying, "More great architecture has been destroyed
> in the name of energy efficiency than any other means."
> Best,
> Leland
>

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