Off-grid post 7.21.19

The weather is hot lately.  It is an opportunity to test out some ideas on climate control.

You've got to follow the sun.  If you can keep in the shade, it would be a big help.  An exposure to the sun creates a "greenhouse effect".  The heat gets trapped, and it takes something to get that heat back out.  If the trapped heat can be avoided, then the problem is mostly solved.

Easier said than done.  Digging out a trench will take heavy equipment.  It also introduces other problems, like creating a low spot for rain run-off.  Another problem could be that the soil is too unstable out there.  Disturb it, and it could be a disaster waiting to happen.

Perhaps the most conservative ways are the best here.  A simple structure with an east-west alignment.  On the south side, there will be an overhang, which will block the sun.  Not too much of an overhang, though.  Summer isn't the only season out there.  As for the unstable soil, a wide profile base as foundation would offer the best stability.  There would still be post holes, but these would be connected to each other ---- giving that wide base.

As for what to build, well, I've been going back and forth on that one for almost the entire time I've been in this trailer.  The trailer offers the simplest solution.  Install the septic, put up a roof,  and add some fencing on the south side, then presto!  I may go with this idea after all.  It would also be the lowest cost option, I suspect.  Once you start adding all the costs, money will become an issue.  Heck, it already is.

Back to the climate- control summer phase---  It is a good idea to keep the breeze blowing thru the joint if the goal is to minimize the a/c use.  I did that yesterday.  I'd like to eliminate the a/c altogether, but that will not be possible.  If that fails, then I will have to use a portable generator so that my a/c can run.  Solar panels and batteries aren't cheap, never mind what the greenies say.

Awhile back, I found a video which demonstrated that a common window unit can run off of a modest generator, which also turns out to be quite efficient.  Given my economizing so far, in order to run it a couple hours per day may not be all that costly.  But that is still under study.