Understanding Geothermal Air Conditioning
Did you know that the ground you walk on can actually cool you down?
Yes, it can. The latest technology says that geothermal air conditioning is possible. This is based on the theory that, the temperature 5 to 25 feet below the earth’s surface stays invariable at around 20 to 27 Degree Celsius; thus, it can maintain an efficient constancy. This depends on the location of the place and the condition of the soil.
The system can operate in moving air with its three subsystems: an earth connection which transfers heat between the earth and its fluid, a heat pump which moves heat between the water in the earth connection and the building, and a distribution component which delivers cooling to the building.
Geothermal air conditioning systems are found out to be more efficient than those conventional units that use air source heat pumps. It needs less power to function; even small generators may let them operate. To further enhance such efficiency, turbo speed motorized fans and tightly sealed compressors (scroll, rotary, inertia, or reciprocating) are used in the system. The piping may be copper or polyethylene that are durable enough and efficient enough for heat to pass through.
The system has an edge because it provides reduced noise in operation, quality product, and best of all, economic efficiency. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that geo-exchange systems can save consumers up to 20% to 50% cooling costs as compared to conventional units. In addition to its comfortable, economical efficiency, geothermal air conditioners are sensitive to the environment. According to the EPA, properly and well-designed geothermal systems cause lesser environmental threats than other alternative air conditioning technology. The agency promotes the system as it emits very minimal carbon dioxide, to have an effect on greenhouse warming.
Since the system saves space in the home or office too, it does not require a blower system and cooling tower for it to function. Moreover, it can replace the electricity consuming water heaters because it can provide hot water during the process.
The geothermal air conditioning process functions like a refrigerator process – it takes out hot air instead of pushing cold air in. We said that there is a fluid in the earth connector. The system needs this fluid to do the cooling. This normal water is relatively cool, which attracts heat from the building. Through the ductwork or pipes, the fluid transfers the absorbed heat to the ground or lake or pond, leaving a cooler air in the building’s rooms. In short, the water is cooled and heated by the system to maintain the room temperature accordingly. During cold months, the process is reversed. It collects the earth’s warm underground air, passes this through an energy driven compressor and heat exchanger, and finally dissipates the warmer air throughout the house.
On the other hand, one considered disadvantage of geothermal air conditioning is its installation – it is not a do-it-yourself one! Only professional contractors who are trained under the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association can perform the installation because they know the properly labelled equipment to use.