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RISING WOMEN EXPERT
ADVICE...
What is geothermal heating and how does it
work?
Geothermal heating and cooling systems, sometimes referred to as “geoexchange”,
absorb heat from the ground or through a water source using a specialized
heat pump transfer that heats your home or building. There are three primary
components to a geothermal system; the loop, the heat pump and the
distribution system. The loops can be either buried underground, placed into
bodies of water or can be “open”. Underground loops come in two basic
configurations, horizontal or vertical. Horizontal loops are buried at least
4 feet below the frost line and spread out around the site in a preplanned
configuration. Vertical loops are drilled straight down into the earth and
can be installed on almost any site because of the very small amount of
space they require. Water loops can go into the ocean, into lakes or into
some ponds. “Open” loops draw water in, absorb the heat and then expel the
water. This type of loop requires using a lot of water and is only suitable
in certain situations.
The heat pump is a single piece of equipment which is placed inside the
building and is matched to the loop and the distribution system. There is no
noisy outdoor equipment for a geothermal system. The heat can be distributed
around the building in several different ways; most common are forced air
duct work and radiant in-floor heat. There is also a high temperature
geothermal heat pump which can be used with hot water radiators. With a
forced air distribution system, a geothermal system can be run in reverse to
air condition your building.
With so many possible combinations of loop, heat pumps and distribution
systems it is important to choose the right professional for your project. A
geothermal system should never be installed using “rules of thumb”; detailed
calculations should be done based on your specific situation. All system
should be designed to CSA 448 and be eligible to receive Canadian
Geoexchange Coalition certification which is necessary to qualify for
federal and provincial grant programs. Always hire specialists who have
taken training on system design and system installation. To find a qualified
professional, check www.geo-exchange.ca for a complete list of accredited
installers, qualified designers and qualified companies in your area.
One final point about geothermal systems is their efficiency. Because the
temperature of the ground or water source is constant, geothermal systems
are up to 500% efficient.
Mari Ann Nissinen Rockson is a partner in Mercury Refrigeration
Products & Services Ltd. For more details, call 250.661.4306 or visit
www.mercuryrefrigeration.ca |
