Heating with underground water. We use the heat of the earth to heat the house. Geothermal equipment for using the heat of the earth

It is a well-known fact that heating a private home using a heat pump is the most effective method of all currently existing. The topic is of interest to many homeowners due to the constant rise in energy prices or their absence in a given area. Let's take a closer look at what geothermal heating is in a private home, how it functions and what is needed for its installation.

Operating principle of geothermal systems

If you've never touched the back of your home refrigerator where the heat exchanger grill is located, give it a try. You will find that the grate is hot. It heats up because it transfers heat outward from the internal space where the food is stored. As a result, the temperature inside decreases, and outside heat is dissipated into the kitchen area. That is, the refrigeration machine transfers thermal energy from one place to another.

A heat pump is the same as a refrigeration machine, only it operates in reverse. This is the principle of operation of geothermal heating, so that the heat available outside the house is transferred inside to warm it. Theoretically, any substance or body whose temperature is above absolute zero (minus 273 ºС) contains heat in the form of energy of molecular motion. What can we say about the soil temperature below the freezing depth, which is always constant and stays within the range of plus 5-7 ºС.

For reference. You can verify this by descending into a deep basement. The air temperature there is the same all year round. Thanks to this, during the summer, geothermal heating systems can work in reverse, bringing coolness into the house instead of heat.

A temperature of +7 ºС in itself is unsuitable for heating a building, this is understandable. The problem that a geothermal heating system solves is precisely to take part of this heat, transform it and transfer it into the house. For this purpose, a heat removal circuit is installed in the ground from many pipes laid below the freezing depth. Non-freezing liquid constantly moves along the circuit, driven by a circulation pump.

Having heated up to the temperature of the earth, the liquid enters the heat exchanger - the evaporator. There it exchanges heat with the second circuit, where the refrigerant (freon) circulates under pressure created by the compressor. Due to this, the refrigerant evaporates at a low temperature, removing a large amount of heat from the primary circuit.

Next, passing through the expansion valve, the freon enters the second heat exchanger - the condenser. At the same time, its pressure drops and the refrigerant condenses, transferring heat to the third circuit - our heating system. This is the principle of geothermal heating, where the system transfers energy from outside into the house at minimal cost. After all, it turns out that its operation requires electricity to rotate the rotors of compressor engines and pumps. On average, 3 kW/h of electricity will be used to heat a private house with an area of ​​300 m2. The operating principle is described in more detail in the video:

Types of Geothermal Systems

In fact, the systems may differ only in the structure of the external circuit; otherwise, the equipment used is the same. At the moment there are 3 types of external contours:

• laid horizontally in the ground;
• vertical geothermal probes;
• submerged to the bottom of the nearest body of water.

In the first case, many pipes are laid along the bottom of a horizontal pit with a calculated area. The disadvantage of this method is that the installation of geothermal heating will require a lot of space on the land plot and is recommended for use at the stage of building a house, when you can dig a pit and bury the pipes directly under the future house.

Vertical probes in the form of bundles of pipes with coolant are lowered into deep wells. This method is the most common because it is available on small plots that have already been built up by the owner. Immersion of the circuit to the bottom of a reservoir is used whenever possible, that is, if such a reservoir is available. In terms of the efficiency of the system, these 3 methods are practically the same; the only difference is in the cost of construction.

Conclusion. The main advantage of geothermal heat pumps for heating is their extremely high efficiency. But this advantage is offset by such disadvantages as the complexity and too high cost of work and equipment. In addition, the system depends on electricity, so you will have to spend extra money on a diesel generator to avoid freezing in the event of a power outage.

Let’s say right away that do-it-yourself geothermal heating is a myth. Work related to calculating the length of the circuits and the power of the heat exchange installation, and the development of the project as a whole, can only be performed by a specialist in this field with engineering education and experience. As for the implementation of the project, you cannot do without earth-moving or drilling equipment; you will not dig a pit by hand. The same applies to the installation of pipes, their laying in the house and installation of equipment.

The only thing you can do with your own hands is to assemble a home heating system. You can get a lot of information on this topic in other articles. We will give some general recommendations:

• a formal contract should be concluded with the contractor company and all points should be stipulated in it;
• Due to the nature of the operation of solar systems, a low-temperature heating scheme is best suited for heating a private house. These include heated floors and baseboard water convectors. Traditional radiators can also be installed, but this intention must be communicated in advance to the specialists involved in heat pump calculations;
• To be on the safe side, it wouldn’t hurt to have a backup boiler in the house, preferably a non-volatile one that runs on wood or diesel fuel. This will avoid situations where you may be left without heating in the middle of winter as a result of some kind of system malfunction or accident;
• For the same purpose, you need to purchase a diesel or gasoline power generator. Ordinary uninterruptible power supplies will not work, they will not have enough power or charge;

It is best when the geothermal heating heat exchange installation is located in the basement or basement of the house, along with other heating equipment. This makes it more convenient and cheaper to establish communications.

Conclusion

The heat pump, as the brainchild of the most advanced technologies, is quite common in Western Europe. In our country it is considered an inaccessible luxury due to its considerable cost. Even wealthy citizens are in no hurry to invest in such heating, since they own large cottages where geothermal heating will take too long to pay off. From this point of view, a house of 150 m2 area is considered the best option.

In recent decades, the active life of people satisfying their needs has begun to have a very negative impact on nature and the environment. And thermal power plants played an important role in this process. At the same time, society began to understand that natural resources are not unlimited, which is why in recent years they began to introduce analogues of heat supply sources. One such alternative way to heat a home is geothermal heating. The system is simple and effective, and you can do it yourself.

Note that geothermal heating in the USA and European countries has become the main source of heat, but in Russia today it is considered only as an alternative to gas, electric, solid fuel and other types of heating. Very soon, geothermal heating will become mainstream, because reviews say that it is a cost-effective way to heat your home without harming the environment and with benefit to yourself.

Operating principle

Such a phenomenon as geothermal heating, the principle of which resembles a conventional refrigerator, only in reverse, is becoming increasingly popular. The earth retains heat constantly; objects located on its surface can be heated. The point is that the earth is heated from the inside by hot magma, and from above, thanks to the soil, it does not freeze.

The thermal energy obtained during the heating process is used by a geothermal system based on a special heat pump.

And the operating principle here is as follows: a heat pump is placed on top, and a heat exchanger is lowered into a special earthen shaft. Groundwater flows through the pump and is heated. Thus, the heat generated in this way is used for industrial or domestic purposes. This is how underground heating works.

Note that the main advantage of such a system is that with an electricity consumption of 1 kW, we obtain useful thermal energy in the range from 4 to 6 kW. For comparison, a conventional air conditioner is not capable of converting 1 kW of electricity into 1 kW of thermal energy (the law of conservation of energy, since losses when converting one type of energy into another, alas, has not yet been canceled). Heating using the heat of the earth will pay for itself quickly enough with the right approach to the implementation of geothermal heating.

System Features

Of course, it is not so easy to make geothermal heating with your own hands, but it is quite possible. And to begin with, a mine is made. The shaft parameters are calculated for each case separately. Its dimensions will depend on the climate in your area, the type of soil, the structural features of the region’s crust, and the home area where such a system will be installed. Typically, the mine depth ranges from 25 to 100 m.

Next, the installation of geothermal heating involves such a step as lowering pipes into the earth's shaft that absorb heat. The functions of these pipes are as follows: they will supply heat to the pump, which will increase the temperature of the liquid and release it into heating. Note that if you decide to make geothermal heating systems with your own hands, then you will need an assistant, because the pipes can be very heavy.

Note that in summer the heating from the ground works as an air conditioner. To do this, you need to activate the reverse mechanism. During operation, the heat exchanger will take cooling energy.

Methods of operation of the system

This is an effective and environmentally friendly system - thermal heating, the principle of its operation can proceed in three main ways:

1. The thermal energy of deep groundwater is used. Such water is of high temperature, the heat pump raises it and heats it. Next, the water goes through the heat exchanger, giving away the bulk of its energy.
2. This method requires additional expenses from owners. A reservoir containing antifreeze is lowered into the soil depth from 75 m and below. It heats up and rises to the heat exchanger using a heat pump. After the heat is transferred to the heat exchanger, the antifreeze goes back to the reservoir.
3. And for the third method of operation of the system, it is not necessary to equip a soil mine at all. Such heating from the ground is suitable for heating buildings that have access to a body of water. So, horizontal probes are placed along the bottom of the reservoir from the heat exchanger and convert the heat of the water at the bottom.

Benefits of a Geothermal Heating System

Geothermal heating systems have several advantages:

• The release of thermal energy is several times greater than the electricity consumption required by the pump.
• Environmental friendliness is greater than that of other heating systems, since geothermal heating systems do not produce any harmful emissions.
• No fuel or additional chemicals are required for a geothermal system to function. Therefore, it is safe for owners and the environment.
• There is no risk of explosion or fire in the operation of such heating.
• If the heating system is installed correctly, it will last at least 30 years without technical support.

We install geothermal heating ourselves

Let us immediately note this feature: those who decide to equip heating with earth’s heat will need to invest a huge amount into it once. Of course, over time this cost will pay off, since we are not building housing for ourselves for a year or two. Plus, the cost of gas and electricity goes up every year, and with a geothermal system, you won't know what these price hikes are.

Note that inside the room you want to heat, heating elements are installed that are no different from water heating. Your home will be heated by radiators, and the heat will flow through the pipes.

However, in this system, its main part will be hidden underground. Heating with earth energy means having a well and a heat exchanger. You only need to install a device in your home that will generate heat - it usually does not take up much space.

Using such a device, the user will be able to regulate the temperature and supply thermal energy. The installation of the heating system itself in a home is done as usual - with a branching pipeline and radiators. If you have a private house, or the building itself is small, then in this case the system generator is installed in a separate room or in the basement.

Distribution of geothermal heating system

Heating using the heat of the earth began to spread in the late 80s in US cities, which were particularly hard hit by the crisis. At first, such a system was used by wealthy people, who in this way saved on heating their homes, but soon the system began to become cheaper, and poorer Americans became interested in it. And soon the use of earth's heat for heating became the prerogative of most Americans who owned private homes. In European countries, 20 years ago, statistics indicated that approximately 12 million citizens used geothermal heating systems. And during all this time until today, this figure has only increased.

The trends in the spread of geothermal heating are clear. After all, heating using earth's energy is convenient, economical and safe.

Although the gas heating system is the most popular, for the same reason, every year the reserves of natural gas decrease, the cost of it increases and increases. And using solid fuel to heat a house is labor-intensive. In addition, as a result of burning wood and coal, harmful carbon dioxide is released, soot and tar are formed. Therefore, geothermal heating is becoming increasingly common in Russia.

There are many different options for heating your home. People's attention is naturally focused on searching for methods that consume the least amount of energy. Fierce debate is caused by such a progressive method of obtaining heat as the use of underground sources.

How does it work?

The operating principle of geothermal heating involves the use of heat pumps. They operate according to the classical Carnot cycle, taking cold coolant deep below and receiving in return a fluid flow heated to 50 degrees inside the heating system. The equipment operates with an efficiency of 350 to 450% (this does not contradict the fundamental physical laws; why will be discussed later). A standard heat pump heats a house or other building using the heat of the earth for 100 thousand hours (this is the average interval between preventive major repairs).

Heating to 50 degrees was not chosen by chance. Based on the results of special calculations and the study of practically implemented systems, this indicator was recognized as the most effective. Therefore, earth heating, which uses the flow of energy from the subsoil, is mainly supplemented not by radiators, but by a warm floor or an air circuit. On average, for 1000 W of energy driving the pump, it is possible to raise approximately 3500 W of thermal energy to the top. Against the backdrop of the rampant increase in the cost of coolant in the main network and other heating methods, this is a very pleasant indicator.

Geothermal heating is formed by three circuits:

• ground collector;
• heat pump;
• actually, the heating complex of the house.

A collector is a collection of pipes that are supplemented with a pump for recirculation. The coolant in the external circuit has a temperature of 3 to 7 degrees. And even such an apparently insignificant scatter allows the system to effectively solve the assigned tasks. To transfer heat, either ethylene glycol in its pure form or its mixture with water is used. All-water underground heating loops are rare.

The reason is simple - the water that occurs in a sufficiently heated soil layer quickly corrodes the equipment. And even such a liquid can not be found in any random place. The choice of a specific coolant is determined by the design decisions of engineers. The pump is selected depending on the design of the remaining parts of the system. Since the depth of the well (level of installation of equipment) is determined by natural conditions, the decisive differences between types of geothermal systems are associated with the design of the collector in the ground.

The horizontal structure implies the location of the collector below the soil freezing line. Depending on the specific area, this means a deepening of 150-200 cm. Such collectors can be equipped with various pipes, both copper (with an outer layer of PVC) and those made of metal-plastic. To get from 7 to 9 kW of heat, you will have to lay at least 300 square meters. m collector. This technique does not allow you to get closer to the trees than 150 cm, and after installation is completed you will have to landscape the area.

A vertically aligned reservoir involves drilling several wells, necessarily directed in different directions, and each one is drilled at its own angle. Geothermal probes are located inside the wells, thermal output from 1 linear. m reaches approximately 50 W. It is easy to calculate that for an identical amount of heat (7-9 kW), 150-200 m of wells will have to be installed. The advantage in this case is not only savings, but also that the landscape structure of the territory does not change. It will only be necessary to allocate a small area for the installation of the caisson block and for the installation of the concentrating collector.

A circuit heated by water is practical if it is possible to bring the external heat exchange unit into a lake or pond to a depth of 200 to 300 cm. But a mandatory condition will be the location of the reservoir within a radius of 0.1 km from the heated building and the area of ​​the water surface at least 200 square meters. m. There are also air heat exchangers, when the external circuit receives heat from the atmosphere. This solution works well in the southern regions of the country and does not require any excavation work. The weaknesses of the system are low efficiency when the temperature drops to 15 degrees and a complete stop if the temperature drops to 20 degrees.

Peculiarities

Geothermal heating of a country house, first of all, does not consume expensive and air-polluting mineral fuel. Already 7 out of 10 new houses built in Sweden are heated in this way. On hot days, geothermal equipment changes from being a heater to providing passive air conditioning. Contrary to popular belief, such a heating system does not require either volcanoes or geysers to operate. In the most common flat terrain it works no worse.

The only condition is for the thermal circuit to reach a point below the freezing line, where the soil temperature is always between 3 and 15 degrees. Ultra-high efficiency only seems to contradict the laws of nature; the heat pump is saturated with freon, which evaporates under the influence of even what appears to be “icy” water. The steam warms the third circuit. This scheme represents a refrigerator turned inside out. Therefore, pump efficiency refers only to the quantitative ratio of electrical energy and thermal resources. The drive itself operates “as expected,” with inevitable energy losses.

Advantages and disadvantages

The objective advantages of geothermal heating can be considered:

• excellent efficiency;
• a solid service life (a heat pump lasts 2-3 decades, and geological probes last up to 100 years);
• stability of operation under almost any conditions;
• lack of connection to energy resources;
• complete autonomy.

There is one major problem preventing geothermal heating from becoming a truly widespread solution. This, as reviews from the owners show, is the high price of the structure being created. To heat an ordinary house of 200 square meters. m (not so rare), it will be necessary to build a turnkey system for 1 million rubles, up to 1/3 of this amount costs a heat pump. Automated installations are very convenient, and if everything is configured correctly, they can work for years without human intervention. Everything depends only on the availability of free funds. Another disadvantage is the dependence on the power supply of the pumping unit.

The risk of fire in a geothermal heating system is zero. There is no need to be afraid of it taking up too much space; in the house itself, the necessary parts will require approximately the same area as an ordinary washing machine. Moreover, it frees up space that would normally have to be reserved for fuel storage. It is unlikely that you will be able to construct the necessary contours yourself. It is also better to entrust design to professionals, since the slightest mistake can lead to unpleasant consequences.

Arrangement

Quite a lot of people are trying to create geothermal heating with their own hands. But for such a system to work, careful calculations must be made, and a pipe routing diagram must also be drawn up. You cannot bring the well closer to the house than 2-3 m. The maximum permissible drilling depth reaches 200 m, but wells reaching 50 m demonstrate good efficiency.

Calculations

The main parameters that are taken into account in any calculations are:

• temperature (depths of 15-20 m and more warm up from 8 to 100 degrees, depending on the conditions);
• extracted power value (average value - 0.05 kW per 1 m);
• the influence of climate, humidity and contact with groundwater on heat transfer.

What is very interesting is that completely dry rocks emit no more than 25 W per 1 m, and if there is groundwater, this figure rises to 100-110 W. We must not forget that the standard operating time of a heat pump is 1800 hours per year. If you exceed this figure, the system will not become more efficient, but its wear will rapidly increase. What is much worse, excessive exploitation of the thermal resource of the subsoil leads to its cooling and even to the freezing of rocks at the working depth. Following this, the soil may subsidence, and sometimes working pipes and above-ground structures are damaged.

It is necessary to carefully calculate the actions to regenerate soil properties. Only by periodically supplying heat into the well instead of extracting it outside can one guarantee stable operation of the system for many years to come. How often to do this and what else to do will be determined by calculations made by experienced designers. The payback time for geothermal heating, even with the highest efficiency, is at least 10 years. So, in addition to engineering issues, you should carefully consider the economics of the project.

Sequence of work

Heat supply from underground sources must be created according to a strictly developed algorithm. Since water and air systems have limited use, most practically used options involve drilling wells. And this is another reason why you can’t do everything yourself. Only special equipment allows you to penetrate to a depth of 20-100 m, where the necessary conditions for heating are created. Plastic pipes designed for a pressure of about 6 bar can be used as probes.

To increase the efficiency of the system, use 3 or 4 line harnesses, the end sections of which are connected in the form of the letter U. Heating along the contour is very important, thanks to it, cracking of pipes is eliminated in severe frost. This heating is carried out through a wire stretched into the center of the channel through which current is supplied. If it is not possible to use energy piles, horizontal receivers have to be used. A platform with dimensions of 15x15 m is prepared for them, the soil is removed from it to a depth of 0.5 m.

This entire area is needed for laying some kind of probes. Electrical mats or pipes that exchange heat are often used. To increase the efficiency of the heating system, pipes are laid out in a spiral or in the form of a “snake”. It is impossible to say for sure which is better - ready-made complexes produced in series, or self-assembly. In the first case, the compatibility problem is automatically solved, but in the second, flexibility increases and the potential for modernization increases (although more attention must be paid to design).

Amateur builders can move away from a standard heat accumulator by replacing it with a concrete screed. Geothermal heating in such a system allows you to do without significant temperature fluctuations. You can conduct experiments with different coolants, as well as install compressors with varying performance. By properly calculating the loads and correctly distributing heat across the consuming circuits, you can make the system 15-20% more efficient. At the same time, power costs are noticeably reduced.

Horizontally placed pipes are laid to a depth of 50-300 cm. To keep the area of ​​the lines as small as possible, they are made in the form of turns. But between two separate lines there must be at least 200 mm. Any construction work must be preceded by a determination of the thermal output of the soil. If it is less than 20 W per 1 sq. m, there is no point in a geothermal circuit. To ensure the drainage of groundwater, the bottom of the pits is covered with a layer of sand. Pipes based on cross-linked polyethylene perform well.

The problem of arranging a high-quality heating system for a private home each time requires non-standard solutions. Well-known types of heating that generate heat during fuel combustion have long been recognized as economically unprofitable. A new product that is actively starting to become popular is do-it-yourself geothermal heating of a home. Taking into account the rising prices for electricity and gas, most are increasingly looking at this option, although it is quite complicated in design and installation.

Geothermal energy is used, as a rule, on an industrial scale; for example, in the Far East, some power plants operate on the basis of the heat of the earth's interior. For many, the idea of ​​do-it-yourself geothermal heating of a home borders on science fiction novels about the future. But this is far from true! Thanks to the development of current technologies, this has become possible.

The ground does not freeze through even in winter. This feature is used by installation crews who lay the pipeline below the freezing point. Surprisingly, the temperature in these layers of the earth rarely drops below +5 +7°C. Is it possible to accumulate heat in the earth, then extract it and use it to heat the coolant? Naturally!

But before implementing alternative heating of a private house using the heat of the earth, it is necessary to deal with the following problems:

1. Receiving heat - it will be necessary to collect heat energy for its subsequent direction to a special storage device.
2. Heating the coolant. The heated antifreeze must transfer heat energy to the liquid circulating in the heating system and the hot water supply.
3. The cooled antifreeze must be discharged back to the heat exchanger for subsequent heating.

To solve these problems, a geothermal pump was developed that uses the heat of the earth. This device makes it possible to extract the necessary amount of thermal energy, which is enough to produce a large amount of heat and use it as primary or additional heating equipment.

Geothermal home heating uses a similar operating principle to an air conditioner in heating mode. The main element is, the dimensions of which are approximately similar to the dimensions of a washing machine; this element includes two circuits.

The first circuit (internal) looks like the heating system of a private house that is already familiar to us, in a design that includes ordinary pipes and heating radiators. The second (external) is a heat exchanger that is located underground or in water. Both ordinary water and a special liquid with the addition of antifreeze can circulate through this circuit.

An external circuit in which the coolant (water) circulates, which takes the temperature of the environment, after which it enters the heat pump, which can be configured for both heating and air conditioning. The heat that accumulates in the pump during heating is transferred to the internal circuit, and during cooling - to the external circuit.

Water collectors are installed in the lower layers of the soil, at the bottom of a river or lake, through which antifreeze circulates. Collectors release cold and absorb heat. With the help of a pump, the antifreeze rises to the top. Heat exchange takes place in the buffer tank. Heated antifreeze transfers heat energy to the coolant or heats the water. The cooled antifreeze goes back to the collectors.

There are installations that can independently heat large rooms, others are used as auxiliary equipment that can provide from 50% to 75% of the heat demand for a room.

Advantages and disadvantages of underground heating

The discovery of new technologies makes it possible for almost all homeowners to use the energy potential of the earth, opening up the possibility of using a geothermal home heating system in the private sector. Soil can accumulate 98% of the sun's energy, which is dissipated over the surface.

Thanks to this phenomenon, even in winter, quite a lot of heat is retained in the thickness of the earth, which can heat houses; it is only necessary to direct it in the right direction using special equipment.

The positive aspects of this type of heating:

1. There is no fuel combustion process. This system is characterized by absolute fire safety, thanks to which the house is protected from fires that may arise due to a heating system using the fuel combustion method. There is no need to search for a fuel storage location, its procurement or delivery.
2. Sound comfort. The heat pump operates almost silently.
3. Significant economic benefits. There is no need for any additional monetary subsidies during the operation of the system. Annual heating is carried out thanks to natural processes that do not need to be purchased. Naturally, electricity is required to operate a heat pump, but at the same time, the amount of energy produced is much higher than the cost of electricity consumption.
4. Environmental factor. Geothermal heating of a private country home is the most environmentally friendly solution. Due to the fact that the combustion process is excluded, the release of various combustion products into the atmosphere is excluded.
5. Compactness of the system. There is no need to build or allocate a separate room for the boiler room. All that is required is a heat pump, which can be installed, for example, in the basement. The largest contour by volume will be under water or ground, so there will be no need to mask it.
6. Multifunctionality. A similar system can be used for both heating and cooling. In essence, it will play the role of not only a heater, but also an air conditioner.
7. The availability of this resource almost anywhere in the world, in addition to low costs for the operation and maintenance of this system.

A resource such as geothermal energy is virtually free; the main costs come from paying for the electricity that is necessary to operate the heat pump. By spending 1 kW of electricity, you can get 3-5 kW of thermal energy.

It is worth noting that the price of geothermal heating is quite high. This equipment pays for itself in approximately 5-8 years. This puts off many people who are planning to install inexpensive, but quite effective equipment for heating their home, but are not ready to spend quite a lot of money on purchasing the equipment.

Required geothermal equipment

Heating from the ground works by absorbing and releasing its energy, and is based on the use of special equipment. These devices accumulate heat from the environment and transfer it to the coolant of the heating system of a private home. The following heating devices are used for this:

1. Evaporator - placed deep under the ground to accumulate thermal energy that is in the environment.
2. Condenser - brings the antifreeze liquid to the desired temperature.
3. Geothermal pumping station - is responsible for the circulation of coolant in the circuit and controls the functioning of the entire heating installation.
4. Buffer tank - concentrates heated non-freezing liquid in one place for subsequent transfer of the thermal state. Inside there is a tank that contains water from the circuit and a coil within which heated antifreeze circulates.

Now it has become even clearer how geothermal technology works, thanks to which a private house is heated with heat from the earth or water environment.

Note that the performance of the heat pump depends on the temperature of the environment in which the heat exchanger is placed. In this case, the residents of Kamchatka are very lucky, since there are a lot of geysers here.

Before installing thermal heating equipment, it is necessary to conduct geological exploration. If the heat source is located in an area near the house, then it is better to make a pond in this place and place the heat exchanger at its bottom. Then geothermal heating of a private house will pay for itself much earlier.

Basic interchange schemes

There are three schemes for organizing thermal alternative heating, that is, setting up a circuit to accumulate heat energy:

1. The most effective piping is considered to be a vertical system with a well pump. However, the arrangement of such a circuit requires the use of special equipment and drilling wells with a depth of 50 to 200 meters. Moreover, this method justifies the expense, since the service life of the well is about 100 years.
2. Less expensive and simpler is horizontal piping, in which the pipes are located under a layer of earth below the freezing level of the soil. The main disadvantage of this option is that the contour occupies a very large perimeter. For example, for a building with an area of ​​180 sq.m. 450 sq.m. will be required. free area on the site so that the nearest tree is two meters from the pipes.
3. The cheapest and most convenient way is to place the heat exchanger at a sufficient depth of the reservoir so that the soil there does not freeze. The installation of such a system will not require the use of expensive special equipment. This option is the most optimal for creating geothermal heating of a house, provided that the reservoir is located no further than 100-120 meters from the building.

The external circuit is assembled from pipes made of polyethylene, based on a ratio of 40-50 W of thermal energy per meter of collector. So, with a pumping equipment power of 10 kW, it will be necessary to equip a well with a depth of about 165-195 meters. To obtain the required estimated length, instead of one well, you can drill 2-3 less deep ones from one point, but in different directions, that is, using the cluster method.

How to do it yourself?

It is quite difficult to make geothermal heating, some semblance of power plants (geoPP), on your own, but it is quite possible. In the row next to the house, you need to build a structure from a closed piping system and place it at a considerable depth. The size of the collector and the design of the coil depend on the degree of thermal conductivity and the depth of the soil. If you undertake the installation of geothermal heating at home with your own hands, then it is better to purchase the external circuit ready-made.

To create minimum operating conditions for a geothermal system, the following conditions must be met:

1. The temperature of the soil layer where the pipe circuit will be located should not fall below +5°C.
2. Throughout the entire piping with antifreeze, insulation must be made to protect the circuit from freezing.
3. Thermal heating of a building is carried out after careful calculations and design.

Given these requirements, it becomes clear that geothermal heating can be effective. However, for the northern regions, the use of such an installation is justified for heating small buildings - up to 200 sq.m.

Let's consider only ways to create horizontal geothermal heating at home with your own hands under ground or water. Mounting the collector vertically is much more difficult and very expensive.

A heat pump will not take up much space, because this equipment is comparable in size to a conventional boiler. Connecting the sediment to the internal contour of the building is also not difficult. The main task is to arrange the external contour.

It is best to install the collector in a reservoir at a distance of no more than 100 meters. It is necessary that the area of ​​the pond be more than 200 sq.m., and the depth should be at least 3-3.5 meters. If you do not have rights to use this reservoir, you will first have to obtain permission to install the necessary equipment.

If the pond is on your property, then it will not be difficult for you to drain it for a while so that you can easily lay and secure the pipes in a spiral at its bottom. Excavation work consists only of digging a trench necessary to connect the external circuit to the geothermal pump. Having completed all installation work, the reservoir can be filled again.

If your site does not yet have green spaces and many structures, then you can design a horizontal method of placing the heat exchanger underground. To do this, you need to calculate how much area the future collector will occupy, taking into account the parameters indicated above: 250-300 sq.m. contour per 100 sq.m. building area.

If there are trees and temporary buildings on your site, but you really want to install horizontal geothermal heating, then all the buildings and green spaces will have to be cut down and demolished. The process is complex, time-consuming, but necessary.

The technology of heating buildings with underground heat is very common in the West, since residents of Western countries know how to make long-term investments that pay off in 5-10 years. In our country, there are not many people willing to pay about $20,000 for the installation of such a system. However, alternative geothermal heating of a private home is becoming increasingly popular.

A progressive method of geothermal heating of a house uses the operating principle of using the heat of the earth to heat the room. Since traditional fuel is an exhaustible natural resource, it is worth worrying in advance about switching to the latest inexhaustible energy sources.

Scandinavian countries are leaders in the production and operation of geothermal heating systems for homes. They popularize this installation option and offer it to regions that have wide potential for its use.

Application of equipment

It is incorrect to believe that heating from the ground can only be used where there are hot water springs, warm geysers and other natural underground heating sources. The latest technologies make it possible to successfully operate geothermal heating at home and in temperate latitudes.

Today in our country this type of heating is still classified as an alternative method of generating heat. However, in most cases it is almost ideal for country houses or country houses. Do-it-yourself installed geothermal heating at home can operate in two modes:

• heating in winter;
• cooling during hot weather.

This creates the most favorable atmosphere in the room.

VIDEO: How geothermal heating works

System Operation

A heat pump needs to be installed in the house. It will take energy from the soil or groundwater, giving it to the coolant circulating in the house through the pipes. This operating principle was identified back in the 19th century by the French physicist Sadi Carnot.

The components of the base node are:

The compressor is responsible for “compressing” heat and moving it to consumers. The device itself requires an external power source.

The heat pump operates according to the following algorithm:

1. The heat intake collector must contain a liquid inside that has a low freezing point. Often, when making geothermal heating with your own hands, water with a high salt content, alcohol diluted with water, and glycol mixtures are poured inside.
2. In the evaporator module, heat is transferred to the refrigerant, which has a low boiling point, at which time it boils and turns into a vapor state.
3. The compressor installed in the circuit increases the steam pressure, which results in an increase in the temperature of the substance to 78-80 0 C.
4. Once the refrigerant substance enters the condenser, it enters the liquid phase, and at the same time energy is released for the heating circuit.
5. The resulting liquid is returned to the compressor through the throttle valve.

Since a heat pump for heating a home operates on the principle of a refrigerator, it is often called a “reverse refrigerator.” In many cases, energy from the ground is used to install underfloor heating.

Correctly carried out calculations and well-executed installation of the heat exchanger can provide a fivefold increase in output power from one kilowatt consumed by the pump.

VIDEO: How a geothermal heat pump works

Heat exchanger installation

The current installation types are the following:

• vertical, when you need to drill several wells;
• horizontal, where trenches are dug below the freezing depth;
• underwater, when laying is carried out along the bottom of the nearest body of water.

Drilling of the wells

To effectively use the thermal energy of the earth, if the area near the building is small, it is necessary to drill deep wells. A stable positive temperature remains several meters deep in the earth. The use of such geothermal wells provides heat to the heat exchanger circuit. This heat is then transferred to a second internal circuit located in the room.

Often, drilling several wells costs even less than laying them along the bottom of a reservoir. Thanks to this, the process becomes accessible to more people.

The process is carried out with a small-sized drilling rig and a small amount of auxiliary equipment. This practically does not affect the surrounding area. Construction of a well is allowed even in water, but it should not be closer than 2-3 m from a residential building.

The maximum usable depth is up to 200 m, but often efficiency appears from a level of 50 m. At the next stage, the well is equipped. A plastic tube with a diameter of 40 mm is placed inside the cavity. From one to four collector loops are passed into it.

The cavity between the soil and the outer wall of the tube must be filled with heat-conducting material. The heating main is being wired and connected to the heat pump.

Water energy

This option is the most rational in terms of cost, since it does not require the preparation of trenches, foundation pits and other earthworks. But this capability is not available to everyone - the minimum volume of the reservoir is sufficient to heat a house of 100 sq.m. must be at least 200 cubic meters and located no further than 100 meters from the housing construction.

Pipes are laid along the bottom of reservoirs to prevent them from freezing during the peak of frost.

Carrying out calculations

To perform a system calculation, it is necessary to take into account the basic parameters:

• at a depth exceeding 15-20 m in central Russia, the temperature is maintained at +8-+10 0 C;
• for vertical structures, it is customary to take in calculations the resulting power value of 50 W per 1 m of height, and more accurate values ​​depend on the degree of moisture in the rock, the presence of groundwater, etc.;
• dry rock gives 20-25 W/m;
• moistened clay or sandstone 45-55 W/m;
• hard granite rocks will provide up to 85 W/m;
• the presence of groundwater gives up to 110 W/m.

Using a Heat Pump

The longevity of the system depends on the characteristics and conditions in which the heat pump operates. In geothermal installations it is capable of operating approximately 1800 hours per year. This is the average value for latitudes without thermal underground springs.

Operating principle of a heat pump

The operating principle of the thermal heating system is identical and has nothing to do with the country of origin or brand. Geothermal pumps may vary in design, size, appearance, but the heat production coefficient will always be the same for pumps from different companies and different countries. This is due precisely to the peculiarity of processing natural energy into heat.

The pump should not be used too much, as this process can lead to a significant decrease in the temperature of the soil around the well, and sometimes leads to its freezing.

The consequences of such miscalculations ultimately lead to disastrous consequences - the soil sags unevenly, in some places it goes very deep, as a result of which the protective plastic pipes are damaged. If the house is located nearby, deformation of the foundation or walls may occur due to geological changes.

Periodically, it is necessary to take measures to “regenerate” the soil, for which additional thermal energy is supplied to the heat exchanger. This can be the energy of a solar collector or heating a probe when a heat pump is used in room cooling mode.

In conclusion, it should be noted that geothermal installation is not yet available to everyone. In some cases, the payback period may last more than 10 years, but in the end, these methods of heating a house in the near future will become not just alternative, but the only possible ones.

Do-it-yourself geothermal heating of a house: diagram, drawing, cost, photo and video instructions

How to make geothermal heating with your own hands. The operating principle of a heat pump. How the energy of earth and water can heat a house without firewood or gas.

Not everyone knows that creating geothermal heating at home does not require specific knowledge or skills. But compared to alternative types of heating, geothermal is not so popular, and the reason for this is extremely simple - large financial costs that will pay off only after eight years. Under such conditions, few want to invest money, and in vain.

DIY geothermal heat pump

In a word, take a closer look at geothermal heating, especially since the cost of electricity and gas is constantly growing and it is unclear which energy source will be cheaper to use in a few years.

Note! This heating method was first used in America during the financial crisis of the eighties. Over time, the new product became popular in Europe. In Sweden, for example, today ¾ of all heat is synthesized through heat pumps.

Construction of geothermal systems

Construction of geothermal systems

Even from the name it is clear that the essence of this type of heating is to use the energy of the earth. According to the principle of operation, it vaguely resembles air conditioners or refrigerators.

The main element is a heat pump connected to two circuits.

1. The internal circuit refers to the heating system that is familiar to us; it consists of radiators and piping.
2. External is a very large heat exchanger installed underground or in a reservoir. In it, the coolant (and it can be simple water or antifreeze), having accepted the ambient temperature, is supplied to the heat pump, from where the accumulated heat enters the internal circuit. This is how heating appliances in the house heat up.

The main element of the system is the heat pump - a device that takes up no more space than a gas stove. The performance of the heat pump is quite high: for every kilowatt of energy used, it produces up to five kilowatts of heat.

Heat pump operation diagram

Note! A conventional air conditioner, whose operating principle is very similar, produces exactly as much energy as it consumes, that is, one to one.

Of course, geothermal heating is the most labor-intensive and expensive today. Most of the money will have to be spent on excavation work and related equipment, including a heat pump. And many people wonder whether it is possible to save money on this and build, say, a homemade heat pump. To find out, you need to understand the types and features of the equipment.

Pros and cons of the system

Here are the main advantages of this heating method:

• use of the inexhaustible energy of the earth;
• high productivity factor;
• no risk of fire;
• efficiency;
• ease of maintenance and operation;
• no need for fuel storage;
• autonomy;
• environmental friendliness and safety.

The only disadvantages include the high cost of installation, but, as already mentioned, these costs will certainly pay off.

Note! Geothermal heating is most beneficial in tandem with “warm floors”, as well as in houses whose area does not exceed 150 square meters.

Methods for constructing geothermal systems

Methods for constructing geothermal systems

One of the most important elements is the thermal circuit. When positioned vertically, it can lie at a depth of 20 m to 150 m, depending on the geological circulation of heat. Horizontal circuits are installed at a depth of up to 2.5 m and are heated due to temperature fluctuations due to solar heating or heat loss.

1. Direct heat exchange

Thermal devices with direct heat exchange are in direct contact with the soil. The coolant leaves the device body, moves along an underground copper line, exchanging thermal energy, and returns back.

Such heat exchange is called direct because the liquid is in contact with the ground without any “intermediaries.” Of course, it does not interact with the soil directly, but only exchanges heat with it through the walls of the pipes. Today, such pumps are rarely used; they should not be confused with devices in which heat exchange takes place through intermediate circuits.

Be that as it may, the efficiency of direct heat exchange is quite high, and the financial costs of installation are lower than in most closed systems. The thermal conductivity of copper plays an important role in this, as well as the absence of an electric water pump and an exchanger between the coolant and water, which, as is known, is the main source of heat loss.

It is also worth noting that copper pipelines are expensive, and more coolant is required than for other types of systems.

2. Closed systems

Most of these systems consist of a primary circuit filled with refrigerant and a secondary circuit filled with water and installed underground. To make the secondary circuit, polypropylene pipes are mainly used, and it is filled with water and a small amount of antifreeze.

Water leaves the heat exchanger, moves along the outer circuit, exchanging thermal energy with the soil, and returns. It is characteristic that the outer contour is below the soil freezing level, where the temperature is stable; they also immerse him in the nearest body of water.

Note! Systems submerged in water or located in moist soil are much more productive than dry circuits. Therefore, in dry soil next to the circuit, it is advisable to install a drainage hose that would moisten it.

Closed systems are less efficient than the previous option because they require labor-intensive drilling and a long pipe system. Also note that closed circuits are installed in two ways - vertically and horizontally.

The vertical circuit consists of two pipes going underground at right angles to a depth of 20-120 m. Their lower parts are connected to each other by a U-shaped connector. Shafts dug for pipes are usually filled with a special solution that improves heat transfer and protects underground aquifers from pollution.

If the system is placed horizontally, the pipes are buried below the freezing level of the soil. Naturally, they run horizontally. For obvious reasons, this method is cheaper than vertical placement (read: drilling), so it is used wherever there is enough space on the site.

3. Horizontal drilling contours

Horizontal Drilling Contours

An alternative to the two previous options may be to lay the contour through horizontal drilling. This makes it possible to install pipes under a garden, yard, road and other objects without destroying them.

In terms of cost, such a system is somewhere between horizontal and vertical installation. Its distinctive feature is that the loops can be connected to only one chamber, and this reduces the area required for installation.

Note! Contours using horizontal drilling are installed after the building is built.

4. Water circuits

Closed circuits that are immersed in reservoirs are a pipeline laid in loops. They can be placed in any lake or pond that is located in close proximity to the house.

5. Open systems

In such systems, the external circuit is filled with natural water. It then moves to a heat exchanger located in the body of the device, where the heat is extracted and transferred to the primary circuit. After this, the water returns back. The supply and return lines must be placed far from each other to efficiently feed the heat source.

Note! All elements of the system must be well protected from corrosion, since the chemical composition of the circulating water cannot be controlled. This is why it is advisable to use closed circuits if the level of minerals and salts in the water is high.

Despite the fact that the efficiency of open systems is an order of magnitude higher than closed ones, problems may arise during installation, mainly of a legal nature. Installation permits may be required because these systems contaminate wells and deplete aquifers.

6. Columns of liquid

Circuits with liquid columns are one of the types of closed-type systems. In this case, water comes from the bottom of a deep well, passes through a pump and falls back, exchanging heat with the surrounding soil.

Often liquid columns are used where free space is limited. It is not advisable to use this system on clay or sandy soil.

We also note that the structure can consist of several pillars at once and is used mainly in small buildings.

Stage one. Before you start making a pump, it is necessary to take a number of measures to improve the energy efficiency of your home. These measures include insulating floors and walls, replacing leaking doors and windows, and thermal insulation of the roof and ceiling.

Stage two. Then you need to conduct geological exploration to find out the depth of soil freezing. After this, you should draw up a project based on the selected technology.

Stage three. Purchasing everything you need - heating system parts, pipes and a compressor for the pump.

The compressor - the heart of any geothermal pump - should be discussed separately. It is impossible to make it yourself and the only option left is to buy a finished product.

It is better to buy a device with a power of more than 7 kW, used in high-performance air conditioners (such compressors are sold in service centers specializing in servicing household appliances).

DIY geothermal heat pump

Stage four. Then you can begin assembling the internal heat exchanger. Let us remind you that it is necessary to transfer the accumulated thermal energy to the heating network. The materials for a given element, as well as its volume, completely depend on specific climatic conditions. Copper tubes are usually used to circulate the coolant, while the container is made of a non-corrosion material. Ideally, this capacity should be a 150-liter stainless steel tank.

Stage five. The pre-prepared copper coil must be placed in the tank. It will not be possible to do this without damaging the latter - it must be cut into two parts, and after fixing the coil, welded to its original state.

Stage six. Then you should drill shafts or trenches and install a pipeline there. Upon completion of work, it is necessary to conduct a test run of the system.

Note! Due to the high degree of complexity of the work, it is better to entrust the design and installation of such heating to experienced specialists. The same can be said about the manufacture of a heat pump.

DIY geothermal heat pump

Learn how to build your own geothermal heat pump! Geothermal heating system, types of heat pumps, manufacturing stages, photo + video.

Do-it-yourself geothermal heating at home: a comparative review of design methods

Many owners of private homes still believe that geothermal heating is a term almost from the realm of science fiction, and it is relevant only for those regions where hot springs bubble and there is high volcanic activity. And since such natural phenomena are rare, the prospects for using this alternative energy in our conditions look vague for many. In fact, a geothermal pump successfully generates heat even at low temperatures, so even in temperate climates it can be used quite effectively. But is it possible to install geothermal heating at home with your own hands? Let's try to figure this out.

Classification by construction type

The operating principle of geothermal heating is similar to that of an air conditioner or refrigerator. The main element is a heat pump included in two circuits.

Operating principle of a geothermal (heat) pump

The internal circuit is a traditional heating system consisting of pipes and radiators. External - an impressively sized heat exchanger located underground or in the water column. Both a special liquid with antifreeze and ordinary water can circulate inside it. The coolant takes on the temperature of the medium and, “warmed up,” enters the heat pump, the accumulated heat is transferred to the internal circuit. In this way, water is heated in pipes and radiators.

The geothermal (heat) pump is a key element of the system. This is a compact unit that takes up no more space than a washing machine that is familiar to us. If we talk about performance, then for every 1 kW of electricity consumed, the pump “produces” up to 4-5 kW of thermal energy. While a conventional air conditioner, which has a similar principle of operation, will “respond” to 1 kW of heat for 1 kW of electricity consumed.

Scheme of geothermal heating in a private house

It must be admitted that the installation of this type of heating is the most expensive and labor-intensive to date. The lion's share of its cost is the purchase of equipment and, of course, excavation work. Naturally, a thrifty owner wonders whether it is possible to save money, for example, on installation and make geothermal heating with his own hands? In order to answer this question, it is necessary to understand which systems are used most often and understand the features of their design.

Horizontal heat exchanger

Quite often, a horizontal circuit is used, in which pipes are laid in trenches to a depth greater than the freezing level of the soil in a given area.

The disadvantage of a geothermal heating system with a horizontal circuit is the large area occupied by the collector

The disadvantage is that the area occupied by the circuit must be much larger than the house itself, so to heat a building with an area of ​​250 m², about 600 m² will go under the pipes. Not every developer can afford such luxury.

In addition, inconveniences arise if the site is already landscaped; for example, you have to observe the distance from trees (1.5 m) and many other nuances.

Vertical heat exchanger

A more compact, but also more expensive option is a vertical heat exchanger. Its installation does not require a large area, but it will require special drilling equipment.

Installation of a vertical heat exchanger requires the use of special drilling equipment

The depth of the well, depending on the technology, can reach 50-200 m, but its service life is up to 100 years. This method is especially relevant when planning geothermal heating of a country house with a developed adjacent territory; it allows you to preserve the landscape almost in its original form.

Water-based heat exchanger

The most economical geothermal installation uses thermal energy from water. It is recommended if the distance to the nearest body of water does not exceed 100 m.

A water-based heat exchanger is the most advantageous and therefore more appropriate for the device

A circuit of pipes in the form of a spiral is laid on the bottom; the depth should be less than 2.5-3 m, that is, deeper than the freezing zone. Reservoir area – from 200 m². The main advantage is that there is no need to perform labor-intensive excavation work, but it is necessary to obtain permission from special services. Having spent significant amounts of money on expensive equipment, you should not skimp on high-quality installation. After all, the quality and efficiency of the entire system will depend on it.

As you can see, installing geothermal heating at home with your own hands is not so easy. Of all the listed types, perhaps only the last option will be quite easy to implement on your own. But even in this case, it is worth weighing all the pros and cons.

About the advantages and disadvantages of the system

For the first time, geothermal heating was looked at closely in the United States during the crisis in the 80s. Quite expensive installations were installed in the homes of the richest and most advanced, but gradually they became more accessible and popular. Europe took note of the new product and began to actively implement it in its open spaces. Now this type of heating is no longer a curiosity; in Sweden, for example, about 70% of all heat is synthesized using heat pumps.

Manufacturers of miracle equipment and green people unanimously talk about the advantages of this type of heating over all others, the main advantages that are emphasized are:

• Thermal energy of the earth is used for heating, which is renewable and inexhaustible;
• there is no risk of fire;
• there is no need for delivery and storage of fuel materials;
• When the equipment operates, no harmful emissions are generated, the system is absolutely safe and environmentally friendly;
• the system operates autonomously and does not require constant monitoring and intervention;
• it is economical and requires virtually no maintenance costs from the owner;
• With all the variety of models, the equipment productivity coefficient remains consistently high.

The geothermal heating system performed well in combination with “warm floors”. This duo ensures uniform temperature distribution and prevents the formation of overheating zones.

Important! This type of heating is most beneficial for houses with an area of ​​up to 150 m²; the owners of such small cottages assure that the costs are recouped in just 3-4 years.

Note that these systems have not yet become popular in the post-Soviet space. This is largely due to the fairly significant capital investments that will need to be made at the very beginning, and the rather long payback period. It is quite difficult to convince our fellow citizens that this is, after all, economically profitable. Although, if we take into account the annual rise in price of conventional coolants and the fact that the system is designed for an average of 100 years of efficient operation, the choice will seem quite justified.

Do-it-yourself geothermal heating of a house - is it possible?

Geothermal heating system - device, principle of operation. Which geothermal heating for a country house to choose. Is it possible to make geothermal heating at home with your own hands?

Do-it-yourself geothermal heating at home

When building a house, each owner tries to think about the weight of the design nuances. Heating is an equally important point that requires consultation with specialists. For many, geothermal heating seems unattainable, because it is associated only with places where hot springs bubble. However, in practice, a special pump can generate energy, so this option is suitable for any climatic conditions and terrain. However, is it worth doing geothermal heating at home with your own hands, because the equipment itself is already expensive. To find the answer to this question, it is worth studying the existing options and features of installation work.

How Geothermal Heating Works

Geothermal heating works on the same principle as air conditioning. The components are two circuits and a heat pump.

The internal circuit includes pipes and radiators located throughout the house. The external circuit is a heat exchanger, which is placed either underground or under water. Liquid with antifreeze or plain water circulates inside. The heated liquid enters the pump, which accelerates it through the elements of the internal circuit, due to which the water in the radiators is always warm.

The pump does not take up much space, but performs one of the key functions in the system. For every kW of electricity used, it produces 4 times the heat output. The air conditioner is not so productive, because after taking 1 kW of electricity, it gives out the same amount.

Classification depending on the type of structure

This type of heating arrangement in a house is considered one of the most expensive and this is due to the price of equipment and earthworks. At such moments, many consumers wonder what they can save on, and the only thing that comes to mind is installation. However, to understand whether this is so, it is worth evaluating the features of the device and possible design options.

• Horizontal heat exchanger. When choosing this design, the pipes are laid underground, and the depth must be greater than the freezing level of the soil. However, this option requires the allocation of territory for the contour. Just imagine, if you need to heat a house with an area of ​​250 m2, then you will need 600 m2 to arrange the circuit. In addition, it is necessary to take into account some technical points. For example, all elements should be located at a minimum distance from the tree - 1.5 meters. If the site is landscaped, then this already creates certain inconveniences.
• The vertical option does not require the allocation of a large area, however, the use of drilling equipment will incur significant costs. Creating a well is a labor-intensive process, however, this structure will last for at least a hundred years. This option is suitable for areas that are already developed.
• The water-based option uses the energy of water and allows you to significantly save on arrangement. The only requirement is the presence of a reservoir within 100 meters, its area must be at least 200 m2, and the structure must be located no deeper than three meters.

As practice shows, it is difficult to carry out installation with your own hands. Considering that there will be a lot of money invested in equipment, you should not skimp on the installation process and should turn to professionals.

Benefits of Geothermal Heating

Previously, such installations could be found in luxurious and wealthy homes, but now they have become more affordable. They were first used by residents of the United States in the 80s, and now residents of European countries have taken note. This solution allowed us to save on heating costs overall. Twenty years ago, 12 million European citizens took advantage of a similar design, but today their number has increased dramatically.

In Sweden, most of the heat is already produced using heat pumps. Accordingly, their popularity has increased due to a number of advantages over all alternative systems:

• The inexhaustible and renewable energy of the earth is used to heat your own home;
• There is no risk of fire;
• You don’t have to look for cheap fuel and think about where to store it;
• An environmentally friendly system, without the formation of harmful emissions, due to which it is actively supported by environmentalists;
• Lack of regular monitoring and intervention; the system operates autonomously at all levels;
• Unlimited amount of energy available at any time and in any quantity;
• You don’t have to spend money on system maintenance;
• High performance compared to existing alternatives.

Experts recommend combining the installation of a geothermal system and heated floors to achieve the maximum benefit effect. Firstly, uniform temperature distribution is guaranteed, and secondly, the formation of overheating zones will be avoided.

In order for the costs to pay off in full in 3-4 years, it is worth considering that this type of heating is beneficial to owners of cottages up to 150 m2. Taking into account the fact that conventional heating networks regularly become more expensive and fail, a decision towards a geothermal system will allow you to forget about heat supply for at least 100 years. The chosen option will quickly justify itself. In the post-Soviet space, this option is less popular due to the large investment. It is still difficult to convince our fellow citizens that it is better to spend money once and forget about the problem.

Installation features

If gas and electricity are constantly becoming more expensive, and with them the heating of a private home, then when choosing a geothermal system you can forget about this feature. In addition, you do not have to take into account that gas reserves will exhaust themselves over time. The use of solid fuel is an even more expensive solution. When burning wood and coal, harmful substances are released. Among all the alternatives, this option is the safest, however, unlike gas heating and solid fuel, installation of the system is more labor-intensive and expensive. Therefore, it should be entrusted to professionals with extensive experience in this field. Only they know all the nuances of installation. If the work is carried out correctly, the heating issue will be resolved for many years.

At the same time, inside the room there will be the same pipes and radiators through which heat will flow. The main elements will be hidden underground - a well and a heat exchanger. The house must have a device that will convert heat. It is for this that it is necessary to allocate as much space as possible. With its help, the owner of the premises can regulate the temperature and supply of thermal energy. As a rule, in private homes the generator is located in the basement or a separate room.

Do-it-yourself geothermal heating of a house: diagram and installation features

Features of the selection and installation of geothermal heating. Do-it-yourself installation of pumps and additional equipment in the house.