Comment

Comment by Bob Campbell on October 31, 2012 at 7:36pm

@Rob Torcellini - My indoor system is well insulated, and I'm in an easier climate. But my indoor temps remain very comfortable due to the thermo-mass of the water.   If I keep my water at a good temperature the air stays comfortable too.

I had some condensation going on at the glazing, but this year I built a shutter which both insulates and directs extra light into the greenhouse.   I built it out of OSB and foil sided foam insulation, but I have plans to reduce the weight of this horizontal shutter by rebuilding it out of PVC-DWV and Mylar.  I wish I had a picture but basically there is a hinge on the wall at the bottom of the shutter.  I let it down in the morning, and put it up at night.   I designed it to reflect light in through the green house glazing.on the South side.  It's been working out very well, but it does require that I manually open and shut it twice a day.

Comment by Rob Torcellini on October 31, 2012 at 6:13am

This is my next phase of the project.  I want to grab some of the heat for the water, but leave enough to heat the building too.  Probably will try to extract around 50% of the heat for water and leave the rest for the building.  Other than building a water jacket around the entire thing, you'll end up heating the greenhouse!

Comment by Don Stark on October 29, 2012 at 5:01pm

Rob, Great job, love innovation.  I have been noodling on this problem for the last year and a half, I gave up on the rocket stove in the Green house because it required way to much time with me in the cold feeding the stove..

This is a great way to go. however we need to heat water not air, how can this be accomplished and without boiling the fish... lol

Love it

Comment by halemart on October 27, 2012 at 6:35pm

Excellent job.