passive cooling house in tropics

 Hello,
First, I'd like to apologize for knowing very little about passive
cooling, but I am getting ready to build a house in Belize and would
appreciate any guidance, books, articles, etc. to get me started.
The house will be under 2000 ft and has not been designed, so there is
plenty of room for suggestions.  The power will probably be solar.  I
will build on the side of a hill.  There is ample room (50 acres) for
underground tubes, if they can be effective in the tropics.  Of course,
the location is very high in both sunlight and humidity without
dependable breezes.
I do not want any glass--only screen windows to catch what breeze there
is and large covered porches to keep out unnecessary sunlight and heat.
 The house will probably be only one room wide so windows can be on at
least two, if not three sides.
If anyone knows where I should start, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Chuck

  The things you mention are the basics for passive cooling.
One form of cooling that doesn't rely on compressor/refrigeration
technology is "evaporative cooling". Basically air is cooled by being
passed through a heat exchanger that is cooled by water sprays on the
wet side. Or there's big wicks where water can evaporate. If theres a
handy stream above you house, this might be OK. (I assume there won't
be power available fro pumping water) However it  works less well where
humidity is high. Google it for commercial systems. (Big in Australia)
An important factor you haven't mentioned is having the roof insulated
and light coloured/reflective on the outside. Or even double skinned.
 You might also look at thick adobe walls. Don't forget the need for
insect screens. It's good to lay the house out so that there is a
through passage for air.
You could also consider semi underground to insulate from the heat.
On the other hand some people advise a house high on stilts to keep out
insects and to catch breezes.
The best thing is to travel around and see what other people do in the
area (and find out about any mistakes they've made.)

BTW how is the crime situation in Belize these days?
********************


Chuck wrote:

 

My brother-in-law was in the RAF and regularly went to Belize. The British
protect the place.  He said "no one half sane goes to Belize".  His words
not mine.

 Chuck wrote:

Hi Chuck,

There are some links to articles and information sources on passive cooling here:
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/Cooling/passive_cooling.htm

Some of these won't work in hot/humid climates, but there are some that will, so
you might find something helpful.


There are also a couple of examples of house designs for hot/humid climates here:
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/SolarHomes/ididitps.htm
(e.g. the Florida Solar Cracker Home, and the NSW house

Some of the stuff here might also be helpful:
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/SolarHomes/guidesps.htm
--


Gary

www.BuildItSolar.com
gary@BuildItSolar.com
"Build It Yourself" Solar Projects









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 Chuck wrote:

Look at old "colonial" designs that the Brits built around the world, a
house with a veranda all around will get shade when the sun is high ,
for example but allow light to shine in when the sun is low in the sky.

Remember that in Victorian times there were no engines or electricity
  ( or very little/ late anyway) so everything had to be passive .

Steve the grease