Front page forum

[Dennis E. Hayes]

I generated a forum on my site using Frontpage 2002.
Does a search just do a search for that forums subjects or can you make it search the entire website?

[Vern]

Didn't see any posts on your forum to search through.....

Had a question about your pyramid homes tho.

How do these homes make any sense when heat rises and there is alot of wasted living space to make the point at the top.
Even if you lowered the ceiling wouldn't that be wasted space again?

Was just curious.

[Starr]

Ceiling fan would bring the heat down nicely.

My 2 c

[Dennis E. Hayes]

Energy Efficiency
Our Pyramid designs provide many unique energy-saving features.

The simple box shaped home that has 20% more exterior surface area required to cover 31% less of floor space results in that much more heat loss per square foot of floor area. But here again the shape becomes an even more important factor to determine energy efficiency. Since hot air rises and will migrate immediately to the highest points in a room of any shape or configuration, the pyramid’s simple geometry has that warm air automatically concentrated in a single area at the apex. The sloping exterior walls provide a natural migration path of warm air into a convenient location at the apex where the entire building's air return register is placed. Recycling the air down through filters to be reused (where it can be felt) accounts for a large savings in heating bills

In summertime cooling loads are dropped over half because of this. The heat is naturally exhausted off the apex of the pyramid like a chimney by simply opening windows at the apex and on the shady side of the lower level to encourage an upward flow of air. This chimney effect provides for a natural breeze and cooling effect. . Interior unwanted heat is collects at the apex and exhausted off or returned via one return air duct to the heater/air handler. Pyramid Homes are typically 4 times more energy efficient than their competition!

In wintertime the roof stays at ambient outside temperature aiding snow retention and reducing damaging freeze/thaw cycles. Inside the homes before sheet rocking we apply a foil faced foam board with foiled tape to reflect back infrared heat waves and add to the R-value that works out to be R-34.

On the interior, most of the heat energy has migrated up to the concentrating apex region of the pyramid where it is recaptured and returned, through the air handler's filter system, down to the plenum supply floor space to be recirculated and reused again and again. Because of the pyramid home’s air tightness, an air to air heat exchanger provides constant fresh air without opening windows and losing all the heat. The sealed and insulated floor space is an insulated supply air plenum under the entire main floor. The floor is warmed by direct radiation contact with the warm air and select locations have adjustable supply air registers to provide spot warmth. There are no separate supply air ducts in the floor space to lose heat to a cold crawl space that has been vented to outside air temperatures. Since the space is continually conditioned by the air handler and is sealed with polystyrene film, it is as dry and clean as the interior of your home.

Living Space
The total cubic footage in a pyramid is used to better advantage than in a box. Storage that is in low ceiling height spaces is much more accessible and easier to manage. Have you ever thought about the wasted space at the top of closets and the wasted attic space in most conventional homes? Most of the full height interior of a pyramid home is preserved for living space where vertical heights can soar all the way to the apex. The concept of “Cathedral Ceilings” takes on new meaning in a pyramid home.

We make practical use of 100% of the floor area by utilizing this space for storage and furnishings or decor items that do not need an 8’ ceiling above them.

Although the sloped exterior walls create some head height restrictions, the 52° slope angle is so steep that moving only 3 feet in from the perimeter results in approximately 4 feet of head room.
For comparisons a simple, single level, conventional 24'X40' house has a perimeter length of 128 feet yielding 960 square feet. To cover this floor area there is an expensive complex multi-trussed roof package in addition to the framed, wall-boarded, sided and painted exterior walls. A 32'X32' Pyramid has the same perimeter but provides 1,388 square feet of living space with its natural loft floor. Some perimeter area is less than head height but you’ll find it is accessible and used verses the wasted interlaced attic space in most homes. This high performance shell has over 20% less exterior surface area and covers 31% more floor space. The result is less waste, lower construction costs and more usable space for your money! Also the flush mounted Velux skylight/windows can let in 37% more light than a vertical window of the same size. They are passive solar collectors of the best kind, have more glazing and light manipulation options than any other window and are as strong as the roof itself. Velux helps you reclaim outdoor views as a beautiful interior focal point.

In a new design version, which is not released yet due to patent pending issues, we incorporate a 160 gal. Hot water tank into the Apex of the pyramid.

I hope this answers you questions, and you might find additional info on the site, not mentioned here. I am continuing to add more material regularly.

[Vern]

Thanks, Dennis

It makes sense now!
I was thinking of them in comparison to "A" frame houses.