Compost heat

Discussions about solar, wind and radiant energy. Electronics and projects dealing with energy savings.
Post Reply
Wingnut247
Posts: 12
Joined: Sun Apr 21, 2013 8:08 pm
Location: Washington State

Compost heat

Post by Wingnut247 » Sat May 04, 2013 9:20 pm

Have you seen the video on YouTube where the permaculture guys were using a compost pile to heat water for showers?

Once you get the rain water collection thing set up and a large enought water tank it might be something to consider.

I have also seen guy compost inside their green houses to extent their growing season.

You live in the forest... It would seem the you have a great resource in all of the potential compost.

Dave Thacker
Posts: 62
Joined: Tue Apr 16, 2013 8:18 pm
Location: Tipp City, Ohio

Re: Compost heat

Post by Dave Thacker » Sun May 05, 2013 5:29 pm

There is a ton of heat in compost. I've seen the inside of piles forming ash. It can be so hot you wouldn't want to touch it. It would require a lot of materials, leaves and especially grass clippings. A black tank on the roof through the winter or something connected to the wood burner might be simpler?
Dave Thacker
Radicalrc.com, Owner
Radicalrc.com/blog Blogsite

techman
Site Admin
Posts: 1329
Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2011 11:49 am

Re: Compost heat

Post by techman » Mon May 06, 2013 6:21 pm

Dave has a good point in that it takes a lot of compost to produce that much heat. I just do not have that much material right now. Maybe on a farm it would be perfect though.

Wingnut247
Posts: 12
Joined: Sun Apr 21, 2013 8:08 pm
Location: Washington State

Re: Compost heat

Post by Wingnut247 » Sat May 11, 2013 12:49 am

In the YouTube video it looks like two people gathered a pile of leaf litter and material from the forest. The pile was maybe 6 x6 x 6 feet piled on top of a coiled hose. As water sat in the pile it was warmed... And as water passed through the hose it was warmed... So much so that cold water had to be mixed in to make it comfortable.

Hot water for the cost of a hose and free compost of the forest (gathered in an hour or three...for free)

techman
Site Admin
Posts: 1329
Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2011 11:49 am

Re: Compost heat

Post by techman » Wed May 15, 2013 10:07 am

Oh, well, I guess they had some time on their hands. That is pretty cool then. That really is free energy then. Would work too, I am sure. The compost heaps get very hot inside.

Post Reply