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:: What is Geothermal EES?
Geothermal earth energy systems (also called geoexchange or
ground source heat pump “GSHP” systems) draw upon
the free energy in the earth. Although the air temperature in
prairie winters can drop below -30°C
(-22°F) and exceed +35°C
(95°F) in the summer, the average
mean temperature below the surface is a fairly constant 5°C (41°F) at mid-Alberta latitude. Every year about
46% of the sun’s energy is absorbed back into the ground
to recharge this natural heat source. This heat is transferred
from the ground and into your home with an earth energy system.
An earth energy system consists of three components; a ground
loop, a heat pump, and a heat distribution system (such as your
forced-air ductwork or in-floor heating subsystem). The ground
loop is typically a series of high-density polyethylene pipes
buried beneath the ground, although open well loops and pond
loops may also be used. A water and antifreeze mixture circulates
through the pipes and is pumped directly to the heat pump located
in your home.
The heat pump is a specialized high efficiency device that looks
much like the traditional gas furnace it replaces. The heat
pump concentrates the low-grade heat from the ground loop and
upgrades the temperature to provide heat for forced-air and
hot water – hot water tank temperature can exceed 50°C
(120°F). This heat is distributed through your home’s
forced air ductwork, in-floor heating subsystem, and domestic
hot water tank. In the summer the process is reversed; heat
from your home is extracted and pumped into the ground to provide
air conditioning without any additional equipment. Because our
heat pumps redistribute existing heat rather than burn fossil
fuels to generate heat, our systems are over
320% to 450% energy efficient,
compared to 95% of a high-efficiency natural gas furnace.
For further information please view the following guides:
Residential Earth Energy
Systems – A Buyer’s Guide (Natural Resources
Canada)
Commercial
Earth Energy Systems – A Buyer’s Guide (Natural
Resources Canada) |
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