The outdoor air temperature in the month of April was relatively constant in the upper 30s and low 40sF for most of the month. In the closing days of the month, the temperature jumped to the high 40s and low 50sF. The coop, as usual, responded to the broader trend, but only slightly acknowledged the daily variations.
During the month, the biomeiler cooled to the point that composting has probably ceased. Correspondingly, the temperature of the air coming in to the coop through the biomeiler matched the air temperature during the first part of the month. In the last ten days of the month, the biomeiler switched its mode of operation. Rather than warming the air, it began to act as a heat sink and has cooled the air entering the coop.
In the spring, there comes a time when the coop no longer needs to be heated and, instead, needs to be cooled. This is the second year, and even at approximately the same time of year, that the biomeiler has conveniently switched from serving as a heater to serving as an air conditioner. It is tempting to believe there is some natural ingenuity at work in the pile, but I am sure it is entirely the logical result of the volume of the compostable material and the amount of oxygen available for use by the aerobic bacteria.
Last year, because I had been using the mechanical aeration system extensively throughout the winter, a great deal of ice formed at the upper surface of the biomeiler and absorbed heat from the pile as it melted in the spring. It kept the coop cool enough for the birds to stay indoors until their outdoor accommodations were in good order.
This winter, I hardly aerated the pile, at all. So, it remains an open question if there is any useful mass of ice and if the biomeiler will do as well at cooling the coop.
Currently, the remaining snow and ice have surrounded the biomeiler with a shallow moat, which I strongly suspect has inundated the lower portion with ice water. From the deck of the back porch, I can see that the top of the pile has subsided greatly. The rings of fencing surrounding the inner and outer cores are now standing above the top of the pile.
Once all the snow has melted from around it, it will be easier to access the biomeiler and I will do some investigations to answer my questions. As always, updates will be posted. Stay tuned!
