Geothermal furnaces

1. Geothermal furnaces Harnessing the earth’s furnace.

2. Geothermal Discovery • The fundamental technology of the earth and its production of heat was known as early as 1850 from hot springs in Yellowstone national park. • The geothermal technology Movement started in 2000 in the west with A group known as GeoPowering Brings together many representatives From companies developing this Technology. • The first commercially usable geothermal furnace was designed by these Companies in 2005, and was put into use around 2006.

3. How Geothermal Works • Groundwater below the frost line (frozen solid at all times) is at a temperature of a consistent 50-60 degrees F. • Refrigerant absorbs the temperature and is compressed. The fluid compresses and reaches 145 degrees F, and creates warm air which flows through the unit being heated.

4. How Geothermal works (con’t) • During the heating process, geothermal units will heat hot water stored previously from a heater. • This process is reversed in the summer, the unit acts as a refrigerator, pulling heat energy out of the air and pumping it out of the house through use of condensers and compressors. • There are 2 types of systems open or closed loop systems. Open loop systems use the spiral loop, while closed systems must use a vertical system.

5. What to Expect from a Geothermal • No oil Cost • Higher electric usage. • Temperature kept between a 2-3 degree range • Slightly less cold/warm air being circulated. • Quiet air movement noise, louder pump noise. • Double water capacity of house and well water.

6. Costs • The typical geothermal furnace is around $110,000.00 to install. The majority of this cost stems from well drilling • Costs vary depending on geological profile. • The payoff period for a GHP is typically around 7 years, depending on annual pries of oil.

7. Efficiency • According to the EPA owners usually run GHP with an efficiency of 50-70 % in winter and 20-30% in summer. • For the amount of pumping and electricity required, the overall unit consumes a fair amount of electricity.

8. My geothermal • Utilizes open loop concept (slinkey) • Sand/dirt deposits break down unit • Electric installation • Water flooded basement

9. Questions • _____ utilizes well water, as well as refrigerant A.) Open Loop B.) Closed loop C.) Slinkey Loop D.) Vertical loop • The temperature where the pipes are placed is generally kept at a temperature of ____ Degrees F A.) 0-5 B.) 5-10 C.) 30-40 D.) 50-60 • The pipes or coils of a geothermal unit are placed in where? A.) Below the frost line B.) Above the frost line C.) near the closest well D.) an extended well • Warmed refrigerant/water from the ground or air is always ______ before moving in or out of the unit A.) Expanded B.) Compressed C.) moved D.) transformed to heat • The heating efficiency of a geothermal unit is A.) up to 70% B.) Up to 90% C.) Lower than 50% D.) None of the above • _____ is cause for an open loop geothermal to break down, and must be maintained A.) loss of refrigerant B.) refrigerant over use C.) well malfunction D.) Sand or dirt collection • The most expensive and time consuming part of geothermal installation is A.) electric hookup B.) Drilling to a well C.) Labor costs D.) installation of new vents • The group formed by many companies to work on the industrialization of geothermal units was known as A.) GeoFriendly B.)Geosun C.)Geowest D.) Geopowering • Geothermal units are most common in A.) North B.) South C.) East D.) West • Unit A is installed next door, you see a truck next door that is known for drilling wells and you see coiled pipes, what kind of loop is being installed? A.) vertical spiral loop B.)Closed spiral loop C.) Open spiral loop D.) not enough information

10. Sources • http://www.toolbase.org/Technology-Inventory/HVAC/geothermal-heat-pumps • http://www.geothermaldesign.com/ref3.htm