Crazy idea on homemade geothermal

[swampthang]

Just got a crazy idea in my head and wanted to share/ ask opinions on. My shop has a floor drain that is 4" diameter and runs about 100' to daylight. Most of it is buried prolly 3ft deep. Had the idea of putting a bilge pump fan on the end of the drain pipe and blowing outside air in the shop. Heres a link to a fan on ebay to get an idea on what im talking about. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rule-240-In...ash=item43e80a1215:g:jEwAAOSwGotWkBG9&vxp=mtr they come in varies cfm. any ideas?

 

[kd3pc]

the first thing that comes to mind, is that you are blowing some air across a likely nasty mix of slime, etc...

and while the outside air may be "warmer" than the inside air...by the time it traverses 100' of cold (50-60 degrees) drain tile...it too, will be 50 degrees.

The volume of air, will likely do nothing to your comfort level, whether the desire is to heat or cool your shop.

 

[ambenz]

Ah ...no, I don't think you will get more than a degree or 2 warmer or colder outside air at the discharge, might as well make your own reclamation unit instead....

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

I think in the summer you'll get slightly cooler, but moist air in the shop. I believe you'll need much colder temps to get the humidity out of the air.

Consider adding your location to your avatar thingy so we know where you're from.

Not too mention the potential "smell" coming from the long pipe.

If you're handy and want to try a DIY geo-thermal A/C deal and have a well ... and a used, but still working outside A/C unit compressor/condenser (I think the condenser sits outside the house). Make sure its one with all the electrical on top. Remove the fan and fan wiring. Put the condenser in a barrel. Run water from the well into the bottom of the barrel. Install a discharge pipe high on the side of barrel, but below any wiring. Now hook the condenser to an evaporator inside the shop. Hook a solenoid valve to the water supply so when the compressor comes on water goes into the barrel and cools the condenser. Discharge the water into your long pipe.

I've only thought about this. I've never done it.