Compost-powered Hot Water

Description:

Compost-powered hot water systems achieve heat without combustion, without use of fuel, as an effect of the soil-making process. This is a wonderful synergy to achieve.

How it Works:

Water tubing coiled through the mound of shredded wood mulch enables the "compost pile" to heat water for cleaning/sanitation as well as for use in radiant heating systems.

Making the mound of proper consistency shredded wood can result in a year of hot water production, from the one pile. This biological decomposition gives off more heat than the material would yield through combustion, and the end result becomes soil.

Status:

• That compost gets warm has been known by (some)humans forever,
• Not commercially available

Ecological Principles:

Areas of Need:

• Sanitation
• Heat
• Fertility

Related Tech:

• coppicing - how much hedgerow is required to produce a mulchpile annually?