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Ground source heating makes use of free energy hidden in the ground
The ground is a living system, containing an immense quantity of hidden energy, constantly renewed by sunshine, the wind, bio-degrading vegetation and even rain fall.
Heating using this energy involves :
1. Capturing this free energy hidden in the soil.
2. Changing this energy into useable heat in the house using a heat generator.
Ground source heating is simple and efficient
Starting with a captor (buried loops) in the soil, a generator and a system to distribute the heat collected, ground source heating can offer a solution adapted to the majority of building constructions, whether small or large, because of its economic and environmental value.
Geothermal heating components
1. Capturing the energy (The Captor)
Pipes (captors) are buried in the soil at a depth of between 60 and 80 cm. They enable energy to be collected from the soil and transported to the generator. A typical system uses a number of horizontal captor "loops". For a house of 100m² floor area, a captor area of around 150m² is required.
2. Generating useful heat
The generator transforms the energy collected into useful heat that can be used throughout the property.
3. Heat Transfer to the property
In a typical system heat is transferred into the property using either under floor heating and/or radiators. The under floor system provides excellent temperature control and gradient. Both heating options are compatible with geothermal heating systems.
Earth cooling tubes offer an alternative geothermal energy source
Earth cooling tubes present an alternative for controlling temperature within residential and office buildings. These tubes run underground and alter the air's cooling or heating temperature before it is allowed into a home.
When the soil surrounding the tubes is warmer than the air within, the air acquires heat so it becomes warm air when it reaches its target.
Specifications and Location
Earth tubes are meant for underground construction so they must be strong enough to endure pressure and must be resistant to corrosion as well. The depth of earth tubes depend on the desired temperatures.
The type of soil in the area also affects achievable temperatures. A state of equilibrium should be targeted when deciding how deep to bury the tubes. Too shallow and the cooling effect may not be worth the cost of installation. Too deep and the whole system may suffer from structural instability. Furthermore, the depth should have soil that is warmer than the air on the surface during cold seasons and cooler than the air on the surface during hot seasons.
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