Geothermal heating at home is a promising alternative energy technology with a payback period of several years. Ever increasing utility rates are forcing private property owners to look for new and unconventional ways to save energy. The problem can be solved by using the geothermal heat of the earth. You can make such a system yourself, thereby saving a lot on the services of professionals. It is enough to study the technology of ground heating, draw up a competent scheme, purchase equipment and install it.
Features of geothermal heating
A geothermal heating system is a semi-autonomous unit that operates on two energy sources:
- Potential energy of the earth. Its temperature at depth is practically stable, regardless of the weather and season.
- Electricity. It is necessary for the operation of the heat pump, which compresses the liquid, as a result of which it is heated or cooled.
Since some of the energy is taken from outside, the efficiency of the installation is 90%, which allows to reduce heating costs to a minimum. The system is as reliable as the quality of the power unit is made. The service life is limited only by the resource of the electrical installation.
Principle of operation
The heat of the earth is used to heat a house in countries where there are many hot springs. There, the coolant is pumped into pipes and supplied for heating to residential and office buildings. For a separate building, this option is not suitable, since no one will make millions of investments that will never pay off.
A geothermal heating system for a private house works differently. It is based on the law of energy release when carriers with different temperatures are combined. In this case, heat is released, which is used to heat the premises. Geothermal has a similar principle of operation with refrigerator and air conditioner technology, where energy is distributed to the formation of heat and cold. The difference is that there is already a low temperature.
Thermal heating is a system consisting of the following parts:
- Outer contour. It is a closed pipeline in which liquid circulates. In the process of current, it acquires the ambient temperature, thereby becoming a carrier of energy.
- Inner contour. This is a standard piping and radiator piping. Heated liquid enters it. Convectors are installed for operation in cooling mode.
- Heat pump. A compact device that compresses a liquid, giving it a predetermined temperature, ensuring circulation of the coolant along the internal and external circuits.
The power plant has excellent performance. When consuming 1 kW from the network, it produces up to 5 kW of heat, heating water to 45 degrees.
Structural type classification
The design of a geothermal household system is selected based on the geographical location of the site, the type and level of soil freezing, the presence of deep reservoirs near the building.
There are these types of external heat exchangers:
- Horizontal.They represent a contour, buried at a depth of 2 m or more on an area of at least 60 square meters. A prerequisite for construction is the absence of trees near the pipeline. Their roots can damage the structure and suffer from temperature extremes. You can dig a pit manually, but if you have the funds, it is better to hire a technician. It is advisable to equip a lawn above the pipes.
- Vertical. It involves drilling several wells up to 150 m deep. In order to save useful area, several holes are made from one point at different angles. It is impossible to do such work with your own hands, you need to invite specialists. Hence the high installation costs.
- Water-displaced. The pipeline is placed at the bottom of a pond, lake or river. The method requires a minimum of costs, both financially and in terms of effort. The difficulty is that a permit is required for construction in a public water body. In addition, you need to choose a place where the water will not freeze to the bottom in winter.
When choosing a method, it is necessary to take into account the stability of the environment where the contour will be placed. The smaller the temperature difference, the more efficiently the system will work.
The advantages and disadvantages of the system
Using the energy of the earth for heating housing is an advantageous idea in all respects, despite the fact that it has not yet received proper distribution in our country.
This technology has the following advantages:
- Quick installation of indoor and outdoor equipment, the absence of complex processes, any preparatory measures.
- Reliability of equipment, which is characterized by simplicity and the ability to work for years without maintenance, repair and interruptions.
- Environmental friendliness of the energy production process. Fuel is not burned, there are no harmful emissions into the environment.
- Economic benefit. Heating and cooling is carried out using the forces of nature, which are free and almost limitless. With minimal electricity consumption, the amount of heat produced is much higher than its consumption.
- Functionality. The system works equally effectively for heating in winter and for cooling in summer.
- Compactness and saving of useful space. The size of the boiler is comparable to that of a washing machine, there is no need to allocate space for fuel.
The technology has only one drawback - large initial investments in the arrangement of the circuit, installation and connection of a geothermal boiler.
DIY geothermal heating
DIY step-by-step instructions for building a geothermal system:
- Inspect the site, choose a place to install the outer contour, draw up a drawing.
- Carry out the purchase of the necessary material and equipment.
- Assemble the outer contour. Drillers, an excavator are invited, water is preliminarily drained from the pond.
- The system is filled with salt water or antifreeze.
- A heating boiler is installed, both circuits are connected to it.
At the end of the assembly, the system is checked for leaks and a test run. If everything corresponds to the design data, finishing and finishing works are carried out.
