Alternative Power sources - Re: Insane House Cool-Down Scheme

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Re: Insane House Cool-Down Scheme

Stretch

2005-08-07, 7:21 pm

A further improvement would be this: Set up a rain barrel with a
stock-water float valve at the top. This is similar to a toilet float
and
can be found at farm-supply stores. Attach a garden hose to it and it
will
keep the barrel filled all the time to the level you choose. Then
install a
sump pump in the barrel which feeds the water-soaker pipes on the roof.
The
excess would run off and back into the barrel. You could even wire the
pump
into a thermostat in the attic, so it would only turn on when the
temperature rises to a certain point. Totally automatic.

Joe, Be sure to have some bleed off from the pump discharge line.
otherwise you will have mineral buildup in the water in the barrel.
Also you need to drip in some algaecide or you will get green slime
growing in the barrel and on the roof. I have seen both these things
happen in cooling towers in the summer.

Stretch

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