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This group is for discussion of the expanding
options for energy efficient home refrigeration
It does not exclude conventional compressor
type refrigerators. Advancements and evolving
strategies, like chest freezer conversions, are
ever more workable, and highly efficient, with
today's modern units.
We will discuss passive technologies, like root cellars,
ice houses, winter ventilation, super insulation, cooling
cabinets, brine solutions, night-sky radiant ice making,
even non-cooling food preservation, and how they can
be improved. Also absorption refrigeration systems,
like the Crosley "Icy-Ball" and commercial units that
RVs and many off-grid homes use, and other heat
based refrigeration systems, like Solar thermal.
This is an important frontier in energy conservation.
30% of an efficient home's electricity could go to
refrigeration. In many climates, that is as much
energy as is used for heating. It can also hold
true for energy efficient homes in the north.
Refrigeration represents one of the toughest
hurdles toward truly independent off-grid living.
Propane deliveries, expensive, oversize, factory
built, photovoltaic arrays, or larger wind energy
systems, may not be the most desirable, cost
effective, reliable, or self-reliant strategies.
We also welcome discussions about how
to live without any type of refrigeration.
Though the central theme of this forum is
refrigerator alternatives, it is open to excursions into
the closely related subject of natural living-space
cooling, and air conditioning. These topics
are intrinsically linked.
This forum will serve as a think-tank and
archival storage for new and better ideas.
-= Keep It Cool =-
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