|
>Home
>>Tips 'n Tales >>Tips on Geothermal
Solutions |
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
Example of a Geothermal Production Well |
|
|
|
|
|
One source of energy for heating
and cooling solutions which has
been often overlooked is geothermal
energy. Lately, high oil and natural gas
prices have caused many people to look
at incorporating the use of this sort of
energy into their new houses or
developments. |
|
|
|
A geothermal energy system uses
the solar energy stored beneath the
earth as the main source for your
heating and cooling needs. The amount of
energy which is stored beneath the
ground is not minimal; about 47 % of the
sun’s energy is stored underground. No
matter what the temperature is above
ground, temperatures underground remain
fairly constant. These temperatures can
range from about 7 degrees Celsius in
Canada and the northern United States to
about 21 degrees Celsius in the southern
United States. In the Kamloops area, for
example, the underground temperature at
a development using geothermal energy
remains a constant 13 degrees Celsius
year round. |
|
|
|
|
|
There are two different types of
geothermal energy systems. An Open System
takes water from an aquifer or deep lake, and
sends it through a heat pump, which transfers
the heat from the water into warmed air or water
for the building. A compressor heats the air or
water to the desired temperature and circulates
it through the building through air ducts or
radiators and flooring panels. The cooled water
is returned to its source. (NOTE: Check with
local regulations to comply with any laws or
regulations pertaining to the obtaining of water
for an open system or how this water is to be
returned to its source.)
A Closed System is where a
system of geothermal pipe loops are inserted
about 100-300 feet underground. A water-based
solution is circulated through the pipes. When
heating is required, the solution absorbs the
heat from the earth and transports it to a
geothermal unit attached to the house. This unit
compresses the transported heat to the desired
temperature and pipes it through the air drafts
of the house. When cooling is required, the warm
air in the house is absorbed through the air
drafts, and taken by the geothermal pipes
underground where it is cooled. Excess heat is
stored to pre-heat water in your house. The
cooler, dehumified air is then piped back into
your home. (NOTE: When considering this
option, the solution used in these pipes must be
approved by the manufacturer of the heat pump
and by some government agencies.)
One example of a community currently using a
closed system geothermal solution is the
Sun Rivers
Golf Community near Kamloops. The
developer at Sun Rivers has installed indvidual
closed loop systems for each lot which harnesses
the balmy constant 13 degree geothermal heat.
The
geothermal ground loops are treated as utility
infrastructure, and residents are billed a
monthly fee for its use. |
|
One of the main benefits to a
geothermal system is the cost savings in
your heating bill when comparing this
solution to a gas, oil, or electrical
system. Heating your home with a geothermal
system is 1/3 the cost compared to
electrical heaters or a traditional furnace.
Another benefit is the lower carbon
emissions from a geothermal system. When
compared to an area where oil furnaces
provided most of the energy, geothermal
solutions produced over 60% less carbon
emissions over a 20 year time period.
Another benefit which goes hand in hand with
lower carbon emissions improved air quality,
which makes this system perfect with people
with respiratory ailments. Finally, the lack
of emissions paired with the fact that there
is no outdoor unit in these types of systems
means that limited maintenance is required.
Most units can last for 50 years with
limited maintenance needs. |
|
|
|
|
|
One drawback, however, comes in
the initial installation of the geothermal
energy system. In most cases, the cost to
install a geothermal unit will be more expensive
than installing a traditional furnace. However,
once the capital costs for the installation are
covered your monthly costs can drop
dramatically.
When considering a geothermal
solution, look for equipment certified by the
Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute, a
non-profit organization which rates the
performance of residential geothermal units.
Also consider what your heating needs are before
purchasing a solution. A system that is too
large for your home will waste energy and may
cost you more money in the long run.
Geothermal energy is an exciting
alternate source of heating your home. The
ultimate benefit for recreational property users
is, of course, you don’t have to go very far to
find it. Why not consider geothermal energy as a
potential energy source for your recreational
property? |
|
Click on these links
for more information:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
