RE: Going Off Grid ?....Ice Box Storage Fridge and Modern Day Ice House.
I wonder why they don't make it a cellar first? The Amish. You would think if they are going through all that trouble, go ahead and dig the hole. Of course, I think part of the problems with some cellars is they weren't deep enough. I think you have to go down 8 feet to get at that constant ground temperature. From there, you insulate all around.
There is a new house building technique that uses a frame and then pours concrete through out, even the roof. I think that would be the best starting point, after you dug the hole. Then you would have a concrete barrier everywhere except the door. Then on the inside use insulation to cut down even more heat transfer. Then line your walls, floor and ceiling with ice.
Probably would cost a bit of money, however. But, it would last longer than the wood or mud versions.
I would think that a cellar is for storing your root vegetables, from gardens in the summer, and you would not want your carrots and potatoes and such to freeze, as that amount of ice would certainly freeze your crops.
Two different buildings.
The cellar works, because the ground doesn't get above or below a certain temperature.
True. Yes a root cellar has to be ventilated out, where as an ice house does not. Thanks