GEOTHERMAL DESIGN / BUILD
GeoExchangeSM technology taps into the endless solar energy absorbed by the earth. This thermal energy stored below the earth's surface can be within 10° C (50° F) of the average annual temperature at just 10-20ft (3-6m) depth.
GeoExchangeSM or geothermal heat pump systems transfer solar heat from the ground to warm or cool buildings and to heat water. They are considered to be the most energy-efficient, environmentally clean, and cost-effective space conditioning systems available.1
Components of a GeoExchangeSM (geothermal) system:
- Engineered Underground Earth Loop System:
Sealed polyethylene (PE) piping carrying an anti-freeze solution (methanol or propylene glycol) buried in the earth, connected to a Heat Pump. Ground Loop Systems involve either vertical or horizontal underground loops, or in wells filled with ground water. Multiple buildings and/or facilities can also be linked together to a single system configuration designed by Aerius Build Ltd.. - Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP):
Refrigeration equipment that uses electrical energy to transfer air from one place to another. The heat from the anti-freeze solution in the loop system is extracted within the heat pump, which is compressed, raising the temperature level in excess of 40° C (104° F). This heat is transferred to air by means of a refrigerant-to-air heat exchanger within the heat pump unit. - Air Delivery System:
Duct work used to deliver tempered air from the heat pump to the building. The heat transferred air through the heat exchanger within the heat pump unit is distributed through the duct work in the building.
In the Summer season, the process is reversed, extracting the heat out of the building into the piping system to achieve air-conditioning.
In buildings such as offices or condominiums, multiple Heat Pumps can be used to allow individual control of each indoor unit. Heating or Cooling can be demanded at any time creating high efficiencies by recovering excess heat or cooling from one indoor zone and transferring it to another indoor zone.
1 Natural Resources Canada, Earth Energy, Ground-Source/Geothermal Heat Pumps, GeoExchangeSM, 2002
THE BENEFITS
Customers benefit savings every year as they would be protected against inflation of other utility costs such as natural gas, electricity, oil, and propane. GeoExchangeSM Engineered systems are highly stable, with long life expectancy.
- Increases equity on building.
- Quietest Systems available. Eliminates noisy outside air-conditioner for split system.
- Improves aesthetics of building. Eliminates exterior wall venting and vent stacks through roof, improving building envelope weather tightness.
- Mechanical Rooms in commercial buildings are much smaller.
- Eliminates Cooling Towers and Boilers.
- Eliminates structural support, construction cost, sound isolation, and maintenance on such equipment.
- Longest Equipment Life due to smaller equipment with shorter operating cycles.
- Lowest Operating costs. Most efficient compared to natural gas, oil, wood, electric.
- Lowest Maintenance costs.
- Lower GHG Emissions by 66%. Eliminates Carbon Monoxide (burning gas).
- Zone-controlled heating and cooling in multiple-tenant buildings.
- Lowers operating costs when incorporating to make domestic hot water.
- Lowers operating costs and betters efficiencies when incorporating radiant in-slab, hot tubs, and swimming pools.
- The design and installation of a geothermal system requires expertise from engineers, drillers, contractors, equipment manufacturers and distributors, which creates more jobs benefiting the economy.
Canada is committed to reducing its Greenhouse Gas Emissions by greater use of renewable energy. Natural Resources Canada has classified Geothermal as a renewable technology, along with solar, wind, and biomass.2
Data from governments in both Canada (Natural Resources Canada) and the United States (Environmental Protection Agency) indicate that Geothermal Systems are the most environmentally friendly space conditioning technology on the market today.3
2 Natural Resources Canada, Earth Energy, Ground-Source/Geothermal Heat Pumps, GeoExchangeSM, 2002
3 Earth Energy Society of Canada, 2002
ENERGY COST
Aerius Build Ltd. will calculate the total Heat Loss for any Unit or Building, under the appropriate design conditions. Based on these parameters we can select a Conventional System including equipment versus a Geothermal System including equipment.
With the equipment selections, we can compare equivalent systems for a Conventional Split-System versus a complete Geothermal System. A Utility Cost to run a Geothermal System is provided to the end-user to compare to a Conventional System.
:: SUMMARY - ESTIMATED ANNUAL ENERGY COST FOR 1000 ft2 SUITE ::
Indoor design conditions:
Summer: 70°F (21°C)
Winter: 72°F (22°C)
Outdoor design conditions:
Summer: 95°F (35°C)
Winter: -4°F (-20°C)
| FUEL/HEATING UNIT | EFFICIENCY | AVERAGE MONTHLY COST | TOTAL ANNUAL HEAT+COOL COST |
| Natural Gas/Furnace with Condensing Unit | 80% | $140/month | $1680/year |
| Geothermal/(GSHP) Ground Source Heat Pump | 350% | $50/month | $600/year |
**Each residential dwelling is eligible for a CASH REBATE based on the estimated energy savings of $0.05/Kwhr saved, within Fortis BC service area. (Based on an average 1000 ft2 suite)
As a general rule, energy-efficient equipment is more cost-effective than other models. It not only saves energy, it also saves money. Even though the installed costs (purchase price plus installation) and the payments needed to finance them (principal and interest) are higher, the difference is usually more than offset by lower energy bills.
With the rising costs of energy in the future, the spread between Conventional System (Natural Gas) against a Geothermal System (Ground Source Heat Pumps) will increase dramatically as the price of gas increases more rapidly than electricity.
Please note, the above estimates are for an understanding for the comparison only. They are to be used as a guide only. Aerius Build Ltd. reserves the right to confirm and/or adjust the costs reported.
