COOLING > GEOTHERMAL HEATING PUMP
There are systems based on alternative energies to air-condition the environments. One of these is geothermal energy.
Geothermal science studies the Earth’s heat. This heat is developed naturally within our planet and is distributed to the crust by magma or deep water convection means. This natural heat can be used to generate clean energy. Geothermal heating system is very efficient in the traditional systems, and it is mentioned as a sustainable energy source in the “White paper: Energy for the future – renewable sources of energy” COM97 by the European Union.
Deltasolar has been interested building conditioning with alternative energies since 1983. As far as the conditioning of buildings is concerned, an important application both as far as energy saving and system’s efficiency is related to the use of the geothermal heating pumps together with radiant floors.
There are different ways to use geothermal energy according to the type of soil and the type of system that needs to be installed. We will be dealing with geothermal sources at a low rate of heat content – it is called like this because the main energy source used is represented by the soil or the underground waters.
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY FROM THE SOIL
The average temperature of soil from 20 to 100 meters deep is about 12°C; this temperature is constant both during summer and during winter. It is possible to use this free energy by bringing it towards the surface using a vector of water and glycol, contained in geothermal probes that are stuck in the ground at a depth that can vary from 70 to 120 meters.
The heating pump transform this energy and makes it available both for heating the environment and for heating water for the bathrooms; a low amount of electric power is used in this process..
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY FROM UNDERGROUND WATERS
If underground water is available, this source of energy can be used in the same way as the geothermal energy coming from the soil. Normally two well drillings are required: one to lead the water to the heating pump, and the other to return the water to the underground. This system allows to heat and cool all year round, day and night.