That looks like the earthship system. - Wait, no it doesn't.
That looks like the earthship system. - Wait, no it doesn't.
Last edited by Russell Snow; 12-20-2016 at 10:17 AM. Reason: New info
Zoning is best done "by floor." Sizing is an elaborate calculation based on home's heat loss calculations and environment conditions like heat/cooling degree days. There is no way you'll get an answer on here for what you'll need. Wood fired boilers always have a water jacket/tank. An additional tank and circulator would be required for domestic hot water. Antifreeze can be used, but does add quite a bit to the cost, and actually slightly lowers efficiency, due to lower thermal transfer of the fluid. If you are going to heat potable water, a non-toxic antifreeze should be chosen in case of a heat exchanger failure.
As for cooling, yea, that doesn't work.
All my bad forum habits I learned from LHN
Rod Reidnauer
Class of Apr. 9-10, 2005
Thinking outside the vinyl sided box
Cooling can work. Rehau does it. I learned details at one of their seminars a few years ago. Sorry, I've forgotten most details since then, but remembered the important thing: They do cooling.
Concerns about condensation are valid. Basically, your cooling load must not exceed the threshhold that leads to condensation. In Arizona, your numbers should work great. In Redmond, Washington, probably not. I'd contact Rehau to learn how to run those numbers for your location.
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