DrCaleb DrCaleb:
The U.S. went through an energy crisis during the 1970's for several reasons, the OPEC oil embargo being a major one. During that time certain contractors were building passive solar homes. The idea did not really catch on as fuel prices dropped again in the 80's allowing us to shut down many promising alternative energy ideas. We slid back to our dependence on fossil fuels in a big way. I was working as an HVAC tech in Mass back in the 90's. I got to go on a call to a passive solar home that was located on the coast. The house was like a snapshot from a bygone era as it was the poster child for a passive solar home. Luckily for me the home owner was not just some
shlep that bought the home, he was actively involved in the design and manufacture of these homes back in the day. He looked like the typical 70's hippy professor. He gave me the grand tour and explained everything about the house. I was totally fascinated! Every last detail of getting free energy from the sun had been built into this home. Massive windows facing the south with overhangs built over them. He explained how the sun is at different angles through the year. During the summer the sun is at a higher angle, and the overhangs block the suns rays. During the winter the suns rays shine into the home. They hit special surfaces designed to absorb the heat. They absorbed during the day, and released during the night kind of like a shock absorber. Even the selection of the trees planted in the yard was calculated. The leaves helped shade the house from the sun in the winter. The leaves fall off in the fall and allow the sun to shine in during the winter. I learned so much that I would have paid for this tour. Its sad that every time energy prices fall we go right back to our wasteful ways.
The crown jewel was his heatpumps. Since he lived on the coast he was able to use water sourced heat pumps. Instead of digging up his yard, he was able to place the assembly in the water. Its salt water, so it has a lower freezing point than fresh water. The area is tidal so the water is always moving which helps prevent freezing. The assembly is several feet below the surface as well. He gets the best of both worlds. When the air temp is high in the summer, he can have 25 degrees F lower condensing temps for his ac. In the winter when the air temp is below freezing he can be absorbing heat from the water that can be 50 degrees F higher than the outside air temp.
It was an honor to meet the man and tour his home. I got put on the list of techs who were qualified to go to his home. Only one other tech knew what the hell was going on there as his home was so different from what we normally see. I liked the area as I love the coast and I really respected what he was trying to achieve with his energy independence. He really kept up on everything very well. The only calls I got there were for routine maintenance.
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