Cob: cob/ thermalMass

[Bill&Julie]

*smiles* Everyone and especially Ocean,,, Again Smiles,,,

Where I was trying to go with that brain fart, was to try to get 
a grip on the theoretical Null point. That would be the one of,
no man made (or conveyed) energy in and no man made 
polution out.

I'll be brave, and say that if Love is the proper word, 
I Love Cob Too. Not only the freedom of design, but the
freedom from BIG BROTHER's money machine.

(I have a very shiny Philosophical, I wax it all the time.)

A very good reason that anyone would search for the magic
NULL point. Is, although cutting wood may be enjoyable
when we're young, at 70 or 80 the joy may pass.
This would also include the cost of energy, now verses later.

All concepts are good to think about, if for no other reason,
to deside not to use them. As for me I will USE COB. But 
I will try Remember the Null Point, and aim for it. 
And no doubt miss...  But as you say, and I agree, the 
very use of Cob remembers the Energy Null Point.
( to some degree ) 

Remember: The energy that is put into a smile,
warms the Heart, and the energy that is put into
a frown, chills the soul.

*smiles*   bill   *closes the door quietly, and runs for
the car, trips over the bee hive,,, again,,,,*

ps, the food looks great....  


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ocean" <ahimsaocean at yahoo.com>
To: "Bill&Julie" <wbates at mn.rr.com>
Cc: <coblist at deatech.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2002 10:18 PM
Subject: Re: Cob: cob/ thermalMass


> Cob houses are comfy, if occupied and heated daily throughout the
> winter.  Every day a cob house is heated the cob absorbs some heat,
> bringing the "average" heat  of the "thermal mass" closer to the
> desired temperature (70 degrees? seems a little warm for me!).  
> 
> Even if the walls (aka "thermal mass") of the cob only get 50-60
> degrees, the space in the cob is much easier to heat with a Rumford
> hearth or rocket stove than say, a yurt tent pitched in a 20 degree
> winter climate.  
> 
> Now, your argument must leaning towards building with strawbales, since
> they have an insulative quality of R50 or so.  But if you want
> insulation, please try subscribing to the strawbale listserv.  We here
> on the coblist LOVE COB!  
> 
> Cob houses are cozy and comfy, even in the winter.  This may be due to
> the "thermal mass" of cob houses, which is why they tend to be likened
> to caves--easy to heat in the winter, cool in the summer.  There was a
> reason our distant ancestors like cave-dwelling!  
> 
> Whatever the case, please spend some time in a cob house, especially
> during the winter, before theorizing about whether they need
> "insulation" or whether "thermal mass" is indeed enough to make the
> space cozy.
> 
> As for me, "I love my cob!"  Hey, that might be a cool bumper sticker. 
> Any takers?
> 
> Ocean