OFF GRID No Electricity Air Conditioning in the Desert | Making a Solar Chimney

A solar chimney can be a possible solution as an off grid air conditioning that requires no fan, motors, or electricity. Using the power of the sun, we're trying to create a method to help passively cool the inside of the shed. Come along on this unique build.
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We are Jim and Jessica, a husband and wife team who decided to make the leap from living the city life to an off-grid homestead. We have no training in carpentry or electrical work. We've come armed only with two Permaculture Design Certificates and a whole lot of determination.
Join us on our journey to move beyond a sustainable lifestyle into a regenerative one. We chose to live in the desert because we love the location and we wanted the challenge of bringing this desert landscape into productive abundance.
#greendreamproject #offgrid #diy

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thanks so much for watching! We hope you have an awesome day.🙏

[@canucanoe2861]

They make 4" ABS or PVC mushroom vent caps available at most plumbing supplies.

[@mathiasmaranhao]

Any updates on this ?

[@jacqhackett8075]

You don't do Heights as well as Jess... Glad to see the solar chimney concept put in place.... How did it go now that it's been 12 months? I'm looking back through old vids now that I've started on my place.

[@user-tp5yb4hr4w]

i know this is kind of an old video, but i can already tell that this method didn't work all that well, however it can still work if you buried cooling tubes like how earthships cooling tubes work using the natural air of the buried cooling tubes to cause an cross breeze into the room and then up through the sun tube that collects heated air while it keeps that flow of the cross breeze going continuously without the need for any electricity or any fans running.

[@naturalaquarist2950]

Did this move some air at least? I've got stagnant air - no fun.

[@TheKlickitat]

Cool, you are 20% of the way there. Now dig an 8' deep trench to the edge of your property and put some perforated drain pipe in and run it into the shed. What will happen is you draw air into the pipe and as it runs through the ground, it will cool it down to 55 degree (ish) and your solar chimney will pull the cool air in while the hot air rises and exits.

[@biggiepaws5205]

use plumbing water lines and a car radiator with a fan. the method you suggest fails fast from the natural ground movement causing water to get in the pipes and or dirt. just a idea for a cheap long lasting alternative that might work better in certain climates ect..

[@wtfvids3472]

@@biggiepaws5205 i thought he was in the desert

[@optimisticgirl07]

U R valuable!

[@patrickday4206]

Non perforated pipe is more typical

[@smartmoneymoves...]

Underground water pipes will be best

[@floydlewis3106]

Oh my God bro we literally both started singing eye of the tiger at the exact same time on your video that was crazy

[@MrCarlRobinson]

To increase cooling efficiency, paint the top in Matt black stove paint. If you need more draw you can put a clear tube around the chimney for a green house effect. Lastly, if the air in isn’t cool enough, dig a longish trench and bury a metal tube in the ground. The air drawn through it will be cooled by the earth.

[@badasssalsa]

Precisely what I was thinking.

[@gothboschincarnate3931]

below the frost line in kansas, its a steady 55 degree's. would be a nice way to cool the air. PVC or metal. but....angle it and make a drain for it to insure that moisture wont build up and harbor black mold and bacteria. that is what i will do to engineer some cooling for my house. Karra and Donna Douglas are gonna help with all this.

[@Banannaspot]

Seems like a buried pipe would bring in more cool air.

[@LittleJordanFarm]

You made me tear up Jim. .you are blessed indeed. Love the old school ways of helping air flow. It's just smart in this modern world. All of this was dear to my heart. 😊 triple blessings to yall...hugs

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thanks so much Tammy! I'm really glad this spoke to you. 🙏

[@buffplums]

It’s lovely to see your gratitude, you sound like a really good man buddy

I totally agree with you about the importance of being grateful for what we have. So true. Every day I am so thankful for how blessed I am. Great video. That is such a cool concept for natural temperature regulation!! Have an awesome rest of the day 💖💕🌷🌳🍃

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thanks Michele! I think living in that state of gratitude is so good for the soul.🙏

[@stilesevans1]

Kitchens used to have cabinets that were vented from under the floor and exhaust below the eave of the roof. Keep butter and other foods ju a bit cooler

[@BlackjackArmyCaptain]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge brother

[@vociferonheraldofthewinter2284]

Buddy just made a fan. Without electricity. This is exactly what I was looking for.

[@sharonmatthews9480]

I have been watching your channel for about a year on my tv which does not give the option of subscribing. So i am sitting here on my laptop and I hit that subscribe button. You two are doing an EXCELLENT job on your property. Keep it up. The rewards will be amazing. You are reaping some of the rewards right now. I live in an apartment in Denver but I remember growing up in the South where we did not have running water or indoor bathroom privliges. But my childhood was great and I wish I could get back out doing that and having a garden again. That is definitely the one thing I miss having - a garden. God Bless and have a great day!

[@truesimplicity]

A small solar panel driven vent cap with a fan motor will help greatly in your efforts. Also you may consider looking up a geothermal air handling solution if you have the property to support it for both your home and workshead.

[@alialsawafi246]

Even though I’m writing this after one year, but I’m gonna say it: you did so much help for me on my FYP (Final Year Project) at my university.. Many thanks man 🌹🌹🌹

[@ecocentrichomestead6783]

Another good video. Suggestions: Tin snips for final finishing of hole. Put a ring of caulking, around the hole, underneath the seal.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you! I appreciate the tip!

[@danielshepherd4259]

A tweak to this tip; put the silicone/ caulk on the pipe boot first. That's what we do at my job (construction).

[@matambale]

September 2021: I'd seen a video on cooling chimneys in the desert - and my first thought was "wow mention this to GDR" -- and of course, you're way ahead of the game. By two years.

[@WhippoorwillHoller]

I'm am so impressed, I learn so much from you and Jess, love y'all, God Bless,xoxoxo

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you so much Mrs. Lori!

[@Back2SquareOne]

Convection can be your friend. I would definitely make sure that pipe is really well braced, however. When the gale force winds come, that long pipe will act like lever and may rip clean off. Also, caulk is your friend for getting a good seal.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

We've caulked it. I'll be bracing it better when I work on the roof underneath. Thank you!🙏

[@TheOleHermit]

@@ourselfreliantlife Perhaps guy cables connected around the edge of the roof, like an antenna would be easier and just as effective.🤙💨

[@babybalrog]

I rarely comment because logging in is too troublesome. But I usually enjoy yalls videos and support what you are doing. Logged in to say what a lot of others have said. The next step would be to rent a trencher and lay pipe underground to get a cooler air supply. Some have said perforated. I would recommend against that. Just solid pipe. Corrugate metal may work well as a conductor, plus it has a lot of surface area. And is usually cheep, or surplus. May not fit the trench though. The deeper the better, Some people say you can get air flow at 55, I don't think that's reasonable, but 65-70 would still feel great in your area. Two tips for when you pursue this. One, the pipe shouldn't be level. Since you are taking hot air from outside, and cooling it. There will be condensation. Even from dry air, and you don't want that in your pipe. So slop it away from your building. So it can condensate, and drain. then open to the ground at one point. Second tip, I saw one Earthship video where the intake pipe for a ground cooling tube was surrounded by herbs. The owner commented that it just slowly and steady draws the scents of those plants inside, 24/7 giving it a mild, pleasant smell. So maybe trench to your herb garden.

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

I can’t believe there is so much green right now!!!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

It is absolutely beautiful out here. There's so much grass!! 😲 Thanks Dalia!

[@jameskeene2294]

What most people do to make life easier for the rest of us 🇺🇸 out in the desert is just great keep up the good work 👍

[@zonagal4982]

Great idea! Lord knows we need any type of cooling here is AZ especially now! Thanks for the tip!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

I hear that! Anything helps.😃

[@dherrington2001]

We're in Cochise County, AZ; his is a great idea for pur little house. We're fortunate enough to have great weather most of the year, but it does get to 100+ about 20 days out of the year

[@richardsolomon8076]

Very cool Jim, I love the simplicity should definitely move air. Looking forward to hearing how it goes.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thanks Richard! 🤞😁

[@ewjorgy]

Awesome! I have been wanting to try this for decades! A few things though: a black metal chimney would be much more effective than ABS since the ABS doesn't transfer heat to the interior air anywhere near as well. Also most solar chimneys are significantly larger diameter. Finally, the taller the better. If you could bury a pipe for the makeup air so that the incoming air is cool then you would really be sitting pretty. :) Best of luck! Can't wait to see how it works.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

I was thinking the same thing on the diameter, material as well. Black metal would be better. I might have to try and find some. Thank you!

[@TheKonnoisseur11]

This is want I want to do with my tiny house! Create an air flow through a sunken insulated cooler that benefits from the cooler earth temperature and the ice bottles I fill it with and have fans circulating the air from low to high inside the house. Seems diy friendly but haven’t seen it done yet. Have you?Thanks!

[@Vid_Master]

​@@ourselfreliantlife Thanks for the video!!! have you made any progress on this? I was thinking of building one of these too, I have shaded area near my house where the temperature is lower than the other areas. I could dig a deep trench and bury a pipe, and the solar chimney would pull air from that pipe opening in the shaded area. But im wondering how well it would actually work!

[@wikingagresor]

Jim, I think you should look up info on geothermal heating and cooling.

[@nbarnes2299]

Thank you for sharing you world with me!

[@paulaarthur57]

Great idea Jim, it sounds like it will work. I look forward to hearing how it's going. We all need to follow what you said, be grateful and thankful for what you have. Hi Jess!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thanks so much Paula! I'll definitely put out an update.

[@peasant8246]

9:44 For the future reference, most people watching these videos expect to see this part at the beginning.

[@TheOleHermit]

Nah, it's not about the subject matter, it's all about the comedian.😄🤣😂

[@alialsawafi246]

Honestly I enjoy watching it where it is now, very funny

[@rodrigosouto9502]

It would be very good to have the explanation in the beginning. Thank you!

[@heyjuli8919]

thanks! your video helped me in my thesis!

[@JaceJacobs]

Boom! Eye of the tiger. You got this Jim! Beautiful views. Great work. Sending you good vibes. Namaste

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Lol! That's right Jace! You know it. 😃👍

[@rebeccah8075]

Really interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@Bigdaddyluv68]

I’m also a survivor fan. Good rendition!

[@FranknCarriesHomestead]

Nice job Jim.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thanks Frank!

[@EccentricNature]

You are becoming the pipe and fitting master Jim! 🌱😊🌱

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Lol! Thanks Erick!

[@jannahvestal9758]

Fun to watch

[@SpringRiverHollar]

I'm excited to see how this works , keeping my fingers crossed for you . I sure could use this

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thanks Sherri! Hopefully this has a decent effect. 🤞

[@0900McShizzle]

I just discovered your channel and I’m enjoying the videos. I’ve got a tip that you might want to pin - if you want much cooler air to be sucked in then consider having the intake air pass through a either a water reservoir with relatively cool water or lay down the intake pipes a couple feet inside the ground before venting into the room and outside. Water and soil have a great thermal mass and will absorb the heat from the air passing through the pipes. If you want to accelerate the process you can connect a DC fan or air pump to the solar panels which will force air to circulate through the cooling system

[@TheKonnoisseur11]

This is want I want to do with my tiny house! Create an air flow through a sunken insulated cooler that benefits from the cooler earth temperature and the ice bottles I fill it with and have fans circulating the air from low to high inside the house. Seems diy friendly but haven’t seen it done yet. Have you?Thanks!

[@kellycarver2500]

I wonder if that would pump water, if the intake in the ground were placed in a water source..the solar pipe makes it's own suction. Interesting.

[@Vid_Master]

​@@TheKonnoisseur11 I am also thinking of doing this too. Im thinking that in the winter, I could use a fan to reverse the flow so the hot air from inside the solar chimney is drawn into the house.

[@3DLasers]

Ingenius. Simplicity is Perfection... 😃

[@leeyoung1367]

Great content bro thanks !

[@HonestOpenPermaculture]

Awesome idea Jim! I see it working.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thanks Bill!🙏

[@TNOG511]

That Is Really Cool!! Thanks for sharing

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thanks so much Mrs. Linda!🙏

[@philstat100]

Thank You. Interesting.

[@geekygardens]

Sounds like a good plan based on good science. Look forward to seeing how well it works.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you!

[@stephenhernandez4403]

Great video thanks for sharing...👍🏼👍🏼

[@Danfoodforest]

Yes .. You are Blessed .. Love the view amazing ...

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thanks Dan!

[@Danfoodforest]

@@ourselfreliantlife Welcome

[@RelaxingRainWalker]

Great idea using the cooler underground air for cooling . Always learn something good on this channel.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

😃Thank you!

[@MYPERMACULTUREGARDEN]

You are just SOOOOOO smart Jim !!!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

☺️Thanks Irene!🙏

[@AllPurposeMom]

I am so super stoked about this solution!! I have got to get my husband to watch all your videos for inspiration!! So happy to have found you guys!!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

😃Thank you! There's probably some more tweaks to make it more efficient.

[@AllPurposeMom]

@@ourselfreliantlife I'm along for the ride, can't wait to see the process!!🙌🏼

[@jamesfagan8474]

Great video guys

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thanks James!

[@jamesm9770]

interesting, i will be watching

[@digarcia1890]

Pretty darn clever

[@ourselfreliantlife]

☺️Thank you!🙏

[@dyannejohnson6184]

Boy you sure got me interested!

[@janie2shoes537]

I can't wait to see how it works !!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Me too!😃

[@pineknotfamilyfarm5020]

Can’t wait to see how this works. And hope it does. I think it’s a neat idea.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you so much! Fingers crossed. 🤞😆

[@pgnanofarm9776]

From digging holes to cutting holes. A man of many talents!!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

😆Thanks Linda!

[@TheNakidGardeners]

Cool project idea. Hope it all works out for you and Jess. Thanks for sharing

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thanks Sidney!

[@leonmccarty9430]

If your inlet is not cooling enough, try barring a 8 in PVC pipe below the beat depth of the ground. In cold country its frost line. But, dents your in a desert it's the heat line. Your thermal chimney will draw the air down the pipe cooling it. Active g like a air conditioner.

[@SugarCreekOffGrid]

Looking forward to your shed updates, this was a great idea!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

😃Thank you! Definitely more to come on the shed.

[@thebobloblawshow8832]

I really enjoyed your upload. Funny and real. Subscribed. 👍👍

[@StoneyCreekHeritageFarm]

Good stuff Jim!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thanks Bill!

[@SouthernBlessedHomestead]

Logically sounds like it will work. My husband did a similar method for our storage container except he used a turbine on top. sealant for all is a your friend indeed. great job, once again you and the camera survived. love and prayers...............Patti

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thanks Patti! Sealing it was a priority. 😃 A turbine would have been nice.

[@MySliceOfHeavenoutdoors]

It would have been cool to put in a thermometer in the shed for about a week before doing the alterations. Then compare the after temp with the before temps. but if the inside temp is the same as the outside temp you have a win. because sheds are usually hotter due to heat build up in them.

[@BCElginTex]

LOL, I know. My shed temperature inside is 125F when the outside temperature is 100F.

[@MySliceOfHeavenoutdoors]

@@BCElginTex exactly

[@ourselfreliantlife]

We've done that actually. Now we'll have to compare the results.

[@sharriceowens913]

Yea thinking that too

[@TheFarmacySeedsNetwork]

I was going to do soemthing like that for my greenhouse originally.. but i looked at volume required and pipe cost and decided to use big vents. Glad to see you set this up. I bet it works like a champ! One thing I'd do to improve efficiency is pack that screen up top into the entirety of the cap.. allow more screen surface area. Screens are highly restrictive to flow.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

😲Thanks for the tip Carlton. I'll have to give that a shot.

[@Gettingstartedonhomesteading]

Cool!!!!!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thanks Bub!😆👍

[@13MoonsOverMayhem]

Looking forward to seeing the results of this experiment!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

😃Thanks Lynette! I'm hoping this works in conjunction with some of the other things we're doing.

[@gardeningingnometown5644]

Great stuff! Stay cool out there! 👍

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thanks Rick!

[@CapnCrusty]

I knew of an old house which was built with vent windows near the ceiling above the main windows and inlet vents near the floor, and in hot ass Texas weather you could sit inside that house and be reasonably comfortable in what otherwise would have been a hot box.

[@marymccowan6629]

There is a chimney pipe top that moves in circles with the wind it helps with air circulation that may help .

[@irenedavis4629]

Beep, beep! Love the roadrunner! We have seen solar chimneys before in NM. It will be interesting to see how this works for you. Have a great week!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thanks Irene!

[@AlmostHomestead]

Great idea Jim. Hopefully that makes the shed a little cooler for you guys.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thanks Jay! We're going to add some other things as well. So, hopefully it does well.😁🤞

[@LivingTheDreamHomestead.]

I love this!! We were thinking of doing the same thing but digging 3 ft down in the ground and running a cold air intake pipe. Thanks for the walk through!!

[@jimh712]

3 ft may be on the shallow side... If you are thinking PVC I'm thinking it has some kind of R value But good luck

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Earth tubes! We'll be utilizing that as well.

[@vanessamcconnell9615]

Did you end up doing the earth pipe? Wonder if 30ft would be effective at all? I've read they need to be at least 75ft..

[@BR1967FE]

Nice job there, that should help some

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you!🤞

[@funoutdoorgame]

Very good sharing. 😍👍

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you!

[@etiennelouw9244]

It will work, wish that houses did the same.

[@rudygtrz]

reflective foil on the ceiling and walls will help

[@davestevens4263]

I have no doubt it will help out some what . Yah when I started watching y’all about a yr ago I’m thinking who’s this goofy srew ball . Lol y’all’s channel really grew on me & your a funny , smart & hard working fool Jim . & Jess your amazing also working hard to accomplish the goals . All positive energy your way .

[@elflordsjourneys]

Amen Jim,count your blessings,name them one by one.😀

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Absolutely Elf! You have to lead a life of gratitude.

[@justanotherdrunk]

amazed how green the fields are down there near the end of the summer. theres obviously lots of invisiwater!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Absolutely! Not only do we get the rain, but the plants collect an amazing amount of morning dew.

[@rachelhybrid632]

Brilliant young man ! Hi to your wife from us all in England 🤗

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you so much!🙏

[@BobMelsimpleliving.]

Good morning Dreamers. Sounds logical to me. We used something similar and referred to it as a thermal siphon. Have a great day. Best wishes Bob.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Very cool! Different name, same concept. Thanks Bob!

[@NonaMaryGrace1952]

Hi Jim, I had never heat of a solar chimney. This is interesting to hear how this works. Thanks for sharing and showing. 💕. NonnaGrace

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you Nonnagrace!🙏

[@beachlife1411]

Nice work bud

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thanks Giles!

[@midtexasgardener5422]

Great video as always. Bird found the black pipe. More projects on the way. Have a safe week.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Lol! Indeed it did. Thank you!

[@jasonpolk3491]

Awesome idea, interested in the temp results. Another idea off of a friend's idea just for a cool room to be in. Use sheets that wick water well as walls placing the bottom of the sheets in water. Creating a swamp cooler

[@TheKonnoisseur11]

This is want I want to do with my tiny house! Create an air flow through a sunken insulated cooler that benefits from the cooler earth temperature and the ice bottles I fill it with and have fans circulating the air from low to high inside the house. Seems diy friendly but haven’t seen it done yet. Have you?Thanks!

[@warninginthelastdays8562]

God bless you guys and keep you! Jesus is coming very soon..

[@khamsibq]

That s gr8 U can put a cooling pad on North side hole ND let it to b soaked with water in a pot When solar chimney pull the inside air it will suck it through the wet pad leading to cool the shed

[@ourselfreliantlife]

😲Good thinking!!

[@teklife]

good idea, passive heating and cooling is the smart way to go. suggestion for the solar chimney, more thermal mass. like that even after the sun goes down it will/may continue to draw air thanks to the retained heat in the thermal mass in the chimney. a mix of clay and sand ought be a good/free solution. you'll need to seal it of course.

[@tukek88]

dig a trench and put a pipe in the ground on the north side and then attach to the incoming vents on northside. Dig the trench about 4 ft under ground. This will draw cool air from ground.

[@fredgarvin2796]

Earth ship homes use a pipe buried 5 feet deep in the ground for the air coming in so the earth cools the air going in.You can also make a DIY swamp cooler with a trough of water and a pump to cool the air coming in down

[@judya.shroads8245]

We can only try. If that doesn't work, try something else till it's improved and does what you need it to do. Good work.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Absolutely Judy! That's all we can do.🙏 Thank you!

[@nidavis]

Cool. I would even paint the top of the cap black -- the metal can dissipate a lot of energy and will help even more with the convection.

[@MarcMallary]

The thing on top is called a China cap. I like the idea of the vent pipe being blacktop create suction. The taller it is the better. If the intake air is coming from a cooler place. Sometimes they run pipes through the ground, deep enough where it's cool.

[@russbowman6801]

I hear rammed earth walls the right thickness will cool in the day and warm at night. Each slow moving wave of heat and cool arrives for the interior at the right time. We live in central Georgia where night time cooling is not enough, so an above ground earth bermed home would make better sense.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

We're actually building an earthbag home right now. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZ69q5Sngal_r9k

[@PaulOtis]

That's really cool! (sorry about the pun!) looking forward to see the rest of the progress, and updates!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

😆Thanks Paul!

[@chuckguffey6631]

Just a thought, you might try using just a cheap white paint on the walls and doors to help cool things off. Good luck with all your projects, Chuck

[@mackdickerson9322]

The laws of physics agree with your solar air vacuum system. Very nice. Thanks. LYMI.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

😃Thanks Mack!

[@chaoticdriver]

This is what I need to do on my off grid utility shed

[@ourselfreliantlife]

We're trying to find the most efficient solutions.

[@cumbrianhomestead]

I like the concept Jim - hope it works for you my friend!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

😃Thanks Woody! I'm trying hard to finish this shed off.😁

[@grannybee6805]

Sounds like a good plan. Hope it works for you.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thanks Granny Bee! I still have a lot of work to do on this.

[@pootiesart]

I’m living for the water jokes.