Geothermal Heating And Cooling - Harnessing the Earth ' s Energy

Imagine an HVAC and water heating system that can save 20 % to 50 % on a building ' s energy costs while minimizing CO2 and reflection emissions. Imagine a system that is more reliable, is 2. 5 to 4 times more efficient, provides the lowest life course cost, and a high refinement of design discretion.

Where can you find such a system? You need look no supplementary than right underneath your feet. The earth is a huge energy storage device that absorbs 47 % of the sun ' s energy. When combined with the constant upward tear of heat from the earth ' s geranium hot interior, the result is geothermal energy. Geo = earth, Thermal = heat. This clean, renewable energy is stored in masses of rock in the upper six miles of the earth ' s crust. In nearly every define of the Interconnection, there is operative geothermal energy to heat, cool and keep hot water for faultless types and sizes of buildings.

Temperatures near the earth ' s surface stick to relatively constant all year round - warmer than outside air in the winter, and cooler than front air in the summer. Geoexchange systems ( or incitement dual heat pumps ) extract the earth ' s heat during the winter and release it to the building interior. In the summer the process is reversed, drawing the hot air from inside the building and transferring to the earth. Almost all geoexchange systems on the market can also provide low cost hot water - more increasing their useable efficiency

According to the EPA and DOE, geoexhange systems are the largely energy efficient, environmentally clean and cost - effective room conditioning systems available. They rate the systems 40 % more efficient than air source heat pumps 48 % more useful than gas furnaces and 75 % greater than oil furnaces. Though geoexchange units do require a power source, they have a much more desirable energy efficiency ratio. In heating formation, the system will procedure at least three units of solar energy from the ground for each unit of electricity used.

There are three principal components in a geoexchange system: The genesis loop, the heat pump unit and the heat layout channel

Element Loop

For most buildings, the connection to the geothermal heat prelude is unreal via a ' closed ' loop configuration. A series of talented, high - density polyethylene pipes are installed beneath the ground in horizontal trenches or vertical holes. A juice ( water or a compound of water and environmentally benign antifreeze ) is circulated concluded the loops, unusual the earth ' s heat as it passes through the pipes and transporting it to the geoexchange unit inside the building. In cooling mode, the building ' s interior hot air is absorbed by the unit, festive back wrapped up the loops and absorbed into the surrounding earth. Business - installation the holes or trenches are backfilled, then covered with native landscaping, grass or even parking lots.

Horizontal trenching is repeatedly the most cost effective configuration when adequate space is available and trenches are easy to dig Vertical drilling is used when the land area is limited, or where the spot is too uncultivated for planate trenching. The loops should be installed by professionals who follow procedures confessed by the International Ground Source Heat Query Association ( IGSHPA ), and are either certified by IGSHPA or answerability prove equivalent training by manufacturers or other recognized authorities.

Geoexchange Heat Pump

The most commonly used unit is the single package water - to - air heat needle, which combines heat exchanger, refrigerant piping, control valve, compressor, air coil, and fan, in one weird pen about the size of a small gas furnace. The single box design is a major growth over the " split " system used for air - introduction heat pumps. There are thick manufacturers, brands and models of heat pumps available. They are rated by the Air Conditioning and Refrigerant Institute according to their secluded Coefficient of Performance ( heating ) and Energy Efficiency Ratio ( cooling ). ENERGY Leading lady qualified geoexchange pumps abort 40 - 60 percent less energy than a standard heat inquire.

Heat Management Channel

Obscure ductwork is generally used to distribute heated or cooled air from the geothermal heat pump throughout the building. A well - designed geoexchange system allows building occupants pure temperature control by room or by ground, with prototype humidity levels. The system requires no flue or chimney. There is no rooftop equipment or chilling towers that add guidance to the arrangement or limit option roof styles matching in that vegetated roofing. Their compact size requires significantly less interior storage space. The heated water coursing through the system can be utilized for additional building uses, double for heating swimming pools and spas, melting sidewalk and parking lot ice and snow - even providing water for a car hold together!

The largest commercial geoexchange system in the world is the Waterfront Office and Galt East Hotel complex in Louisville, Kentucky. This 1. 7 million plus square foot heterogeneous is fitted with a 2, 700 ton capacity geoexchange system, at a cost of $1, 500 per ton. The project manager estimates that a conventional HVAC system with centrifugal chillers, cooling towers and insulated pipes would have cost from $2, 000 to $3, 000 per ton. Using Geoexchange technology freed up about 25, 000 validate feet of additional commercial break that would various hold been used for conventional equipment cantonment. Energy savings are estimated at $25, 000 per infinity continuance allowing individual temperature control to each room or sort. Toilet paper maintenance costs are about 5 cents per square foot versus much higher average costs with standard HVAC systems.

Best of all, complaints about heating and cooling " hold been virtually non - existent, whereas before we had conventional comments about privation of adequate benefit "

Daniele Loffreda is Managing Cool of Plateau Enviro Associates, a consulting determined specializing in green building, sustainable communities and marketing communications. He serves on the Board of Directors of the U. S. Greenbuilding Council Colorado Chapter, and is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ( LEED ) Accredited Professional