GEOTHERMAL 101

Open Loop

An open loop system pumps water from a body of water (well, pond or lake) and returns it to surface water or an injection well.

To heat or cool a building, an electric heat pump is used to concentrate the energy in the fluid from the Earth, using technology similar to that used in refrigerators. The system can be used with both forced-air and hydronic (hot water) heating systems.

Closed Loop

A closed loop system utilizes a grid of pipes to pump heat transfer fluid through either a horizontal or vertical circuit of underground piping between the ground and the building.

In the winter a building is heated by collecting heat from the Earth and brought to the heat pump which concentrates the heat and supplies it to the building at 35 degrees Celsius. This process produces 3-4.5kW of heat for every kW of electricity used. Similarly, in the summer the heat pump removes the heat from the building, transferring it to the Earth. As the Earth is cooler than the air in the summer, this system allows for efficient air conditioning consuming 50-70% less electricity than conventional air conditioning systems.

Watch how geothermal heat pumps heat and cool buildings by concentrating the naturally existing heat contained within the earth... a clean, reliable, and renewable source of energy.

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The Benefits of Geothermal

There are both environmental and financial benefits to using a geothermal HVAC system.

With the prediction of the future decline in production of fossil fuels, governments worldwide need to develop energy conservation strategies that include an increased use of renewable energy. By harnessing the heat from the ground, a geothermal system reduces the dependence on fossil fuels and subsequently the building’s overall carbon footprint.

The increased efficiency and lower consumption of electricity than conventional systems make geothermal systems a more cost-effective option in the long run. The initial investment of installing a geothermal system is offset by the monthly savings in utility costs, which are only moderately affected by the fluctuating fossil fuel and electricity costs. When properly installed, the piping in the earth has a very long shelf life and the maintenance expenses have proven to be less expensive than solar, wind and traditional power sources.

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Looking for a contractor?

Should you have specific questions regarding the installation, cost or performance of a geothermal system, please visit HRAI's online contractor locator. This tool will help locate a geothermal contractors near you.

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