Introduction

Whole Systems Approach to Ecological Design

Appropriate Technology: Water

Organic Agriculture and Local Food

Appropriate Technology: Energy

Green Building & Retrofitting

Geothermal Energy

Geothermal Heat Pump Styles:

There are two different types of geothermal heat pumps, identified as:

1. Water–to-air heat pump, which takes heat from water in a heat exchanger and transfers it to air in another heat exchanger to distribute heat by air ducts in the house.
2. Water-to-water heat pump, which takes heat from water in one heat exchanger and transfers it to water in a second heat exchanger. These water-to-water units then distribute heat to the house, typically by radiant floor heating.

Steps Required In The Geothermal System Decision Process:

1. Selection of the heating or cooling distribution system is the most important first step, because it determines the type of heat pump required (water-to-water, or water-to-air) and impacts the efficiency of heating or cooling distribution, in a tightly constructed building.
2. The second step is to specify the required heating & cooling levels to give the best long-term investment for the space-conditioning infrastructure in the building.

Where there is room around the building and the ground is suitable or a close pond, a horizontal loop is normally the most economical.   Where there is an aquifer, the borehole method should be investigated.  Water to water is the most efficient system.

The technology is reliable and although the capital investment is higher than conventional alternatives, the running cost is typically 30-50% less.

The following are useful You Tube videos:

1. Waterfurnace Geothermal – A Convenient truth
2. Geothermal Heating and Cooling: GeoExchange
3. Geothermal – Strategies for Survival
4. Geothermal Heating
5. How A Heat pump Works
6. Inside A Heat Pump
7. Geothermal House Design 1

• Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
• Ground Source Heat Pump – for the heating and cooling of buildings
• More on Geothermal Energy

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The US EPA has carried out in-depth research on heat pumps - Click on image for more info

The Heat Pump Association (HPA) is the UK's leading authority on the use and benefits of heat pump technology. - Click on image for more