The Earth is a huge energy storage device that absorbs 46% of the sun's energy - more than 500 times the energy mankind needs every year - in the form of clean, renewable energy!

GeoExchange systems take advantage of this energy source by tapping into the relatively constant temperature found below the surface of the earth and its bodies of water (4 -10 °C / 39 - 50 °F). When used as a 'heat source', this low-grade solar energy is extracted from the earth, concentrated and then released into the building. Likewise, the system can work in reverse, removing excess heat from a building and transferring it back to the earth, which acts as a 'heat sink. GeoExchange systems can also provide a source of hot water. View Illustration

 

 

 

A GeoExchange system is comprised of three (3) main elements:

Ground Heat Exchanger (GHX)

GeoExchange Heat Pump (GHP)

Load Side System

The GHX is comprised of a series of heat-fused, high-density polyethylene pipes (loops) buried in the ground or submerged in a pond, lake or ocean. Several Ground Heat Exchangers design configurations are possible with the best choice dependant upon the demands of the system and the characteristics of the building site:

	Closed Loop systems - horizontal or vertical loops within which circulates biodegradable antifreeze capable of transferring thermal energy between the earth and the heat pump unit.
		Horizontal Loop: Installed in shallow trenches (6-10’ deep) and requiring approximately 1/3 of an acre of available space.
		View Illustration
		Vertical Loop: Installed into boreholes up to 300 ft deep. Vertical loops are ideally suited to restricted spaces (30 ft. by 30 ft) but are more costly to install because drilling is required.
		View Illustration
		Lake/Pond Loop: Placed at the bottom of a pond or lake with a minimum depth of 8 ft. and a surface area of at least 1/2 an acre. Installation is easy and low-cost.
		View Illustration
		Ocean Loop: Placed on the bottom of the ocean
		View Illustration
	Open Loops systems - draws water into the GeoExchange unit from a source lake, ocean or underground aquifer and then discharges it back to the same water system. The only change to the water is a few degrees of temperature difference but a constant supply of water (5-12 gallons per minute) is required

The Heat Pump system consists of a conventional vapour compression heat pump that circulates biodegradable antifreeze (or water) through the loop and into the GeoExchange unit.

The GeoExchange unit moves heat into, or out of, a building space using either Water-to-Air (fan and ducts) or Water-to-Water (radiant floor system).

 

 

 

The Load Side consists of the building structure and the installed distribution system (forced air ducts, radiant floor) used to move heat through the building.