What Is A Geothermal System And How Does It Work?
Filed under geothermal F.A.Q.
GeoExchange systems are the most cost effective HVAC systems for buildings. They have the lowest life-cycle costs and the smallest carbon footprint. They recover solar energy stored in the earth and transfer in into buildings. They can be also be used to cool buildings by transferring heat from the building to the earth. Because the earth’s temperature is very stable, they operate at extremely high efficiencies.
Every day, the earth absorbs over half of the sun’s energy. GeoExchange (also known as or Earth Energy) systems rely primarily on this stored solar energy to heat or cool a building and provide domestic hot water. Electricity provides the power required to extract heat from the earth. For every kW of electricity used by a geo system, anywhere from 3 to 6 kW of heat energy are pulled from the earth.
The link with the earth is done in two basic ways: open loops and closed loops. In open loop systems, water is pumped from a well. Issues here include water quality, water management, and sustainability. Closed loop systems are most common, and are often preferred for their reliability and low maintenance.
Closed loops use a network of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipes to transfer heat to and from the earth. The pipes can be inserted into vertical boreholes, buried in horizontal trenches, or submerged in the ocean, lakes, or rivers.
The magic in the system is the ground source heat pump, which concentrates heat from the earth and transfer it into a building. The system can be reversible to provide cooling. This isn’t new technology; the first GeoExchange system was installed over 50 years ago! A common example of a heat pump is a refrigerator, where heat is transferred from the inside of the fridge to the room through the black grill on the back.
By transferring thermal energy rather than creating it through combustion or electrical resistance, GeoExchange systems achieve very high efficiencies. For each unit of electrical energy consumed by a heat pump, three to four units of heat energy are moved from the earth to your building.
What is a geothermal system and how does it work?
What Is The Average Cost Of Installation?
Filed under geothermal F.A.Q.
Installation costs are specific to each site and can start as low as $20,000 for an entry level system in a 2000 square ft. home.
Factors affecting installation costs include the heating and cooling load assessment, the usage of the system, the inclusion of domestic hot water or not, the type of distribution system used inside the building, and the thermal conductivity of the local soil.
We have included a link to a Canadian GeoExchange Coalition’s publication “The Buyers Guide to Residential Ground Source Heat Pump Systems” that we feel is a useful tool for those that are serious about working out the dollars and sense for themselves.
If you would like more information on your specific system contact us for a quote.
Bottom Line: What Is The Payback Period?
Filed under geothermal F.A.Q.
Some people just want to look at the numbers. Are you wondering how cost-effective a geothermal heating and cooling system would be for your project?
Below is a Canadian Geo Exchange publication that we feel is useful to those who want to evaluate both the energy and cost savings a Geo system will produce. The download includes a work sheet that will help you to figure out just how much it will cost you per month to heat your home using a variety of different fuels. If hitting the books isn’t your thing consider asking us to conduct a feasibility study on your project.
CGC Buyers Guide for Residential Ground source Heat Pump Systems
What Kind Of Equipment Do You Use?
Filed under geothermal F.A.Q.
People ask us what a the geothermal equipment looks like and what brands we use.
Over several years of installing geothermal systems, we have used many different brands and models.
We choose equipment on a case-by-case basis, but to give you an idea, here are a few different kinds of heat pumps.
What Are Some Good Geoexchange / Geothermal Links?
Filed under geothermal F.A.Q.
Here are some useful resource sites we recommend in addition to the information we have provided here on www.exchangenergy.ca.
Enjoy!
Geoexchange Links
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- Canadian Geoexchange Coalition www.geo-exchange.ca
- GeoExchange BC: www.geoexchangebc.ca
- BC Hydro: High Performance Building Program: www.bchydro.bc.ca
- Terra Firma Builders: www.sirewall.com
- inter solar: www.intersolar.de
- Tekmar Controls: www.tekmarcontrols.com
- UPONOR Radiant Floors: www.uponor.ca
- Chillventa 2010: www.chillventa.de
ADDITIONAL LINKS:
- www.digtheheat.com
A guide to Renewable Energy including geothermal power and ground source heat pumps, solar power, wind energy, biofuels, green investment and government incentives. Clear explanations with examples, illustrations and videos.
Can Geothermal Be Used to Heat And Cool Greenhouses?
Filed under geothermal F.A.Q.
Yes. exchangenergy is able to design an efficient geothermal system, bearing in mind the special air-handling concerns involved with greenhouses.
exchangenergy has written an in-depth article on our blog about this topic. Click here to read more about geothermal systems for greenhouses.
Will a Geothermal System Work For Domestic Hot Water (DHW)?
Filed under geothermal F.A.Q.
DHW is not incorporated in a typical geothermal heating and cooling system. That said, it is possible to use geothermal for DHW, but there are several factors to bear in mind, and special equipment usually required.
exchangenergy has written an in-depth article on our blog about it. Click here to read more about geothermal systems for DHW.
Is It Possible To Install A Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Geothermal System?
Filed under geothermal F.A.Q.
It may not seem like rocket science, but without a certified installer, the proper function of a DIY geothermal project, not to mention the warranties on the equipment involved, is at risk.
exchangenergy has written an in-depth article on our blog about it. Click here to read more about DIY geothermal projects.
What Are ‘Slinky Loops’?
Filed under geothermal F.A.Q.
Slinky loops are perhaps the most-photographed component of geothermal systems (they are the coiled loops you may have seen in stock photos of geo systems), but at exchangenergy, we disagree with the predominant use of this technology, largely because we take pride in installing maintenance-free, reliable, “right-size” geothermal systems.
exchangenergy has written an in-depth article on our blog about it. Click here to read more about slinky loops and the laws of physics.
Is It Feasible To Retrofit An Existing Electric- Or Oil-Heated Building With A Geoexchange System?
Filed under geothermal F.A.Q.
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. There are several considerations when deciding if a geothermal system would be cost effective in an existing building.
exchangenergy has written an in-depth article on our blog about it. Click here to read more about what to consider when deciding on a geothermal retrofit.
