The warmth of the earth in the service of man or what geothermal heating is. Geothermal heating of a house using underground heat Heating from underground

Earth's bowels- a source of heat known since ancient times. At a depth of 6 meters from the ground surface it begins stable temperature region, which is equal to the average annual atmospheric temperature of the region year-round (approximately +15 ⁰С in the temperate climate zone). Let's talk about the disadvantages of geothermal heating.

Today, the heat of the Earth's interior is actively used for organization.
Of course, despite the inexhaustible thermal energy of the soil, the organization of geothermal heating is associated with multiple difficulties, both technical and economic. In terms of financial benefits, installing a geothermal system is inferior to traditional solid fuel, gas and electric heating.

The main disadvantages of geothermal heating

1. The need for electrical energy. The simplest geothermal system requires at least 1 (kW) electricity to produce 4 (kW) of thermal energy.

Heat intake from the ground doesn't happen on its own. For heat exchange, a pump is definitely and certainly used. If something happens to the electrical network, the heating circuit will immediately stop providing the object with heat, since heat pump will stop without power supply.

2. Low level of heat transfer. A traditional horizontal geothermal heating system, which goes underground to a depth of 15-30 meters, provides only 40 (W) thermal energy from each linear meter of the underground highway.

To obtain 4 (kW) of thermal energy, you need to use at least 100 (m) of the pipeline circuit. If you plan to heat an object with a total area of ​​250 (m2) (ceiling height 2.5-3 meters), you need to use a power of at least 27.5 (kW). To operate such equipment you will need minimum 688 linear meters of underground pipeline.

These are not all the disadvantages of a geothermal heat pump.

3. Limited scope. Geothermal heating cannot be installed at every facility. For example, to heat a separate apartment in a high-rise building or a store in the central areas of the city it definitely won't work. It is unlikely that anyone will allow mining in densely populated residential areas.

It’s a different matter if geothermal heating is organized on the territory of a residential property from the private sector or for some enterprise on the outskirts of the city.

4. The high cost of installing geothermal heating. The equipment itself for organizing geothermal heating costs at least 10 times more expensive similar in power to gas equipment.

But purchasing equipment is far from a complete expense. The cost of installing geothermal heating must additionally include the costs of creating and equipping underground communications. We must not forget about commissioning and maintenance.

Geothermal heating is very expensive.

5. Long payback. The payback period of the average geothermal system is largely exceeds 10-15 years. The long payback period is due to the high cost of equipment and installation of communications.

For comparison, a traditional household power of up to 12 (kW) pays for itself in an average of 5 years.

Conclusion

Of course, the disadvantages of this type of heating are well compensated by the advantages of geothermal systems. It is worth noting that geothermal heating does not harm the environment. If you are a supporter of “green energy” and are not very limited in budget, then it would be a sin not to use geothermal energy.

Another important advantage of geothermal communications is that they are low maintenance. Just like a good refrigerator, a geothermal pump may not need service for the first 30 years.

We know that geothermy is the heat of the Earth, and the concept “geothermal” is often associated with volcanoes and geysers. In Russia, geothermal energy is used mainly on an industrial scale; for example, there are Far Eastern power plants that operate using the heat of our planet.

Many people are sure that making geothermal heating at home with their own hands is something out of science fiction. Is not it? But this is absolutely not true! With the development of modern technologies, the domestic use of “green energy” has become quite possible.

We will talk about the operating principles of alternative heating, its advantages and disadvantages, and compare it with traditional heating systems. You will also learn about how to position the heat exchanger and how to install geothermal heating with your own hands.

When the oil crisis broke out in the 70s of the last century, a burning need arose in the West. It was at this time that the first geothermal heating systems began to be created.

Today they are widespread in the United States, Canada and Western European countries.

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About geothermal heating sources

The following sources of terrestrial thermal energy can be used for geothermal heating:

• high temperature;
• low temperature.

High-temperature ones include, for example, thermal springs. They can be used, but their scope is limited by the actual location of such sources.

While in Iceland this type of energy is actively used, in Russia thermal waters are located far from populated areas. They are concentrated as much as possible in Kamchatka, where underground water is used as a coolant and supplied to hot water systems.

The external contour looks much larger than the internal one, although its dimensions can only be assessed during planning and installation. During operation, it is invisible because it is underground or underwater. Plain water or ethylene glycol-based antifreeze circulates inside this circuit, which is much preferable.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

If you find it easier to perceive visual information, then this video will allow you to see with your own eyes exactly how a geothermal system functions, as well as learn more about who benefits from this type of heating and why.

We invite you to watch a short video in which the owner of a horizontal subsoil collector will talk about his impressions of its operation. Additionally, by watching this video, you will learn about the ongoing costs associated with operating a geothermal heating system.

Each owner of a private home chooses for himself whether to buy the services of resource supply organizations or rely only on himself. In doing so, he is guided by a whole list of considerations.

Do you have anything to add or have questions about geothermal heating of a private home? You can leave comments on the publication. The contact form is located in the lower block.

Most of us understand that using coal, gas and wood as fuel does not leave its mark on the environment. However, the introduction of alternative energy sources is hampered by their high cost and efficiency, which are still inferior to traditional ones. But recently, manufacturers have increasingly begun to pay attention to such products, so we hope that soon they will be easier to install and not so expensive.

Today we’ll look at geothermal heating, which you can install for a private home with your own hands. You will learn about the principle of its operation, types, features and self-installation.

It is worth saying that in European countries and the USA, ground heating is gradually becoming the main source of heating at home, but in our country such systems are still only an alternative to more traditional ones.

Appearance and distribution

Earth energy for heating began to spread in the United States towards the end of the 80s of the last century in cities that were heavily experiencing the crisis. Wealthy people immediately became interested in the system, for whom it gave the opportunity to save on heating their homes. Then it began to become cheaper, and the poorer class of the population began to use it.

After some time, the warmth of the earth for heating became the prerogative of most owners of private houses. In Europe, every year the number of households using ground heat to heat their homes is only increasing.

This trend in the spread of geothermal heating is quite understandable. Using the heat of the earth for heating can significantly save the family budget, it is safe and economical.

Functioning of geothermal heating

Its operating principle can be compared to a conventional refrigerator, only in reverse. The earth retains heat constantly, so it can heat objects located on its surface.

The idea behind this method is that the planet is heated from the inside by hot magma, and the soil on top prevents it from freezing. The resulting thermal energy is used by a geothermal heating system based on a special heat pump.

The following process occurs:

1. The heat pump is installed on the surface.
2. A hole is drilled in the ground into which the heat exchanger is lowered.
3. The groundwater passing through the pump is heated and then used for domestic and industrial purposes..

The main advantage of the system is the ratio of electrical energy and received power - 1 to 4-6 kW. For example, when using a conventional air conditioner, the result is 1 to 1. Therefore, the installation will be able to pay for itself in a short time.

Peculiarities

Self-heating a house from the ground has certain difficulties, which we will discuss below:

1. They begin with the manufacture of a mine shaft.
   Its calculation is carried out separately for each specific case, taking into account:

• climate in the area;
• soil type;
• characteristics of the structure of the earth's crust in this region;
• heating area.

Typically the depth varies between 25-100 m.

1. At the next stage, pipes are lowered into the shaft, which should absorb heat from the depths and supply it to the pump, which increases the temperature of the coolant in the heating system.

Advice: it is better to carry out the work with an assistant, since the pipes are often quite heavy.

In summer, heating using earth energy can be used as an air conditioner. Why is the reverse mechanism activated? During operation, the heat exchanger will begin to take cooling energy.

Kinds

For environmentally friendly and efficient operation of the system, there are three main options:

Benefits of Geothermal Heating

Now let’s find out what advantages such systems have, and whether they can satisfy our needs:

1. The thermal energy released is several times greater than the electricity consumption for operating the pump.
2. There are no harmful emissions, so heating a country house from the ground is an environmentally friendly way.
3. The system requires only electricity to operate. No chemicals or fuel required.
4. There is no danger of explosion or fire during operation.
5. Correct installation of the heating system guarantees operation without technical support for approximately 30 years.

Self-installation of geothermal heating

It must be said right away that heating a house with earth’s energy will require a large investment of funds at once. The lion's share of which will go to the construction of the mine shaft.

Tip: The most expensive part in a heat pump is the compressor. If you don't want problems, don't buy it from a Chinese factory.
It is better to use Danfoss or Copeland (preferably not from China).

We also recommend using a heated floor system instead of heating radiators. This way you can reduce the payback on equipment significantly. The annual increase in tariffs for traditional energy resources should also be taken into account, at the same time it will avoid price jumps.

There will be nothing inside the house to remind you that you are using earth heating. The main part of the scheme - the well and the heat exchanger - will be hidden underground. It is only necessary to allocate a small space for a device, for example, in the basement, that generates heat energy.

The device allows you to adjust the temperature and supply heat energy. The instructions for installing a heating system in a house do not differ from the traditional method, so there are no special features in it.

Conclusion

The use of heat pumps allows you to get rid of traditional fuels that become more expensive every year, although the initial costs will be quite large. It is quite possible to install geothermal heating yourself, only when installing pipes in a mine shaft it is advisable to have an assistant.

The payback of the project depends on the insulation of the housing, as well as the heating method - radiator or heated floors. The video in the article will provide an opportunity to find additional information on the above topic.

Many owners of private houses 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.

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 a geothermal project with a developed adjacent territory; it allows you to preserve the landscape almost in its original form.

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 pay off 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.

A geothermal heat pump is the most economical heating and cooling system for a country home. The pump uses free, renewable solar energy stored in the Earth's interior. With the expenditure of 1 kW of energy, it produces up to 5 kW.

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What is geothermal energy?

Geothermal energy is the result of solar radiation. It accumulates in the ground. This low-grade heat can be used to heat residential buildings. The following can be used as a source of such energy:

• natural and technical reservoirs;
• waste heat;
• geothermal probes.

As you can see, geothermal heating of a house uses the natural heat of the planet.

The first systems of this type began to be used in the 70s of the last century. Now they are common in Western Europe, the USA, and Canada. For example, in Sweden the heat from the Baltic Sea is used to heat apartment buildings. Geothermal energy in our country is considered unconventional. The heat of the globe is considered to be an alternative source.

Composition of systems

A geothermal home heating system consists of a heat pump and a heat exchanger. In addition to them, this also includes a harmless and non-freezing liquid (antifreeze). It circulates through the circuit pipeline and collects the thermal energy accumulated in the ground. In heat pump evaporators, the energy of antifreeze is transferred to the refrigerant. As a result, it cools down by approximately 3 degrees.

Next, the temperature of the refrigerant is increased using a compressor. Thermal energy from this substance is transferred through a condenser to water circulating in the heating system of the house. It can also be used to heat domestic water in heat storage tanks.

The efficiency of such a system largely depends on the climate of the area. More precisely, it depends on the degree of warming of the earth. If the heat content in it is low, the building will not be able to heat. The soil temperature should not be lower than +5-+7 degrees. The most effective way is to connect to the “Warm Floor” system.

Principle of operation

The operating principle of geothermal heating is to collect heat from water or soil and transfer it to the building's heating system. Due to rising tariffs on traditional energy sources, this type of energy production is becoming popular in the Moscow region. During its arrangement, the surface of the earth performs the functions of an air conditioner in the summer and a heating source in the winter.

Thermal energy of the earth is collected using a special circuit or heat exchanger to collect heat. It is created from a pipeline and installed underground, in reservoirs or rocks. Installation methods may vary. The most common solution is vertically drilled wells. They are called geothermal. This option is possible even for small plots of land. It is considered more energy efficient compared to the horizontal circuit.

It is used in houses with a large plot. To install the collector, an excavator digs several trenches 2-2.5 meters deep. HDPE pipes are placed in the trench. The area of ​​such a collector must be no less than the area of ​​the house.

from 550,000 rub.

Used in small areas. Two wells, each 90 meters deep, are being drilled near the house. Geothermal probes are lowered into the well. Has high durability and greater efficiency.

from 650,000 rub.

Bottom of the reservoir

If there is a reservoir of sufficient depth and size near your site, you can lower a horizontal collector to its bottom. This is the most energy efficient method of geothermal heating.

from 650,000 rub.

Benefits of Geothermal Heating

This type of system is an excellent way to supply heat to buildings. This is an opportunity to save money and energy. The main advantages of geothermal heating include:

Energy efficiency

A geothermal heating system generates 5 units of energy from 1 unit. The efficiency of such a system is 530%. The efficiency indicator of a modern gas boiler is 98%.

Economic efficiency

Due to the large difference in energy efficiency of such a system, on average, investments in it pay off in several years.

Environmental Safety

Geothermal energy sources are recognized as the most environmentally friendly. They minimize the threat of air pollution. Installing one geothermal pump is the environmental equivalent of planting 750 trees.

Fire safety

Since the heat pump does not use natural gas to operate, there is no source of flame or carbon monoxide.

Everywhere Availability

The equipment can be installed anywhere. The main condition is the availability of electricity in the house.

High reliability

The geothermal circuit is located underground at a constant temperature. It is not exposed to thermal loads during fuel combustion. The declared service life of heat pumps is 25-30 years.

Features and installation procedure

The installation of geothermal heating in a private home should be entrusted to specialists. The main difficulties arise when installing the heat exchanger circuit in the ground. The main stages are the following:

Departure of engineers to the site. At the same time, they find out the features of the area and choose the most effective installation method.

Conclusion of a contract and purchase of equipment.

Installation work. Heat exchangers are being installed in the ground. Then the geothermal installation is connected to the heating circuit of the building.

Commissioning works. After their completion, a certificate of delivery is signed.

The efficiency of the installation is influenced by the type of heat source. The most effective option is to install the heat exchanger circuit near a thermal source or at the bottom of a reservoir. The company installing the equipment may provide the customer with additional warranties. In accordance with current legislation, this is permitted subject to payment for such services. This will cost the customer an additional fee.

The implementation of a system of this type is only possible with special equipment. It accumulates heat from soil or water and transfers it to the coolant of the building’s heating system. It includes:

• Heat pump;
• compressor;
• buffer tank;
• heat exchanger

The compressor helps bring the antifreeze to the required temperature. The buffer tank accumulates it after heating and transfers its heat to the coolant. The composition includes an internal tank, coolant water and a coil through which antifreeze circulates. This element is also necessary for the reason that the temperature of antifreeze can vary from -5 to +20 degrees. At the same time, it expands and a container is needed to accommodate the increased volume.

Heat pumps

The main equipment of geothermal heating is a heat pump. It circulates antifreeze in the geothermal system. The heat pump controls the operation of the entire installation.

Spending 1 kW of electricity, it produces from 2.5 to 5 kW of thermal energy.

When heating residential buildings, cottages, municipal baths, and industrial facilities, pumps of different capacities are used.

In the case of using such systems for cottages, such a device completely solves the problems of hot water supply and heating. At industrial facilities, modular designs of heat pumps are used. In this case, standard modules with a heating capacity of 100 kW combine up to 25 units together.

Comparison of the cost of geothermal and gas heating

When analyzing the payback of switching from gas to geothermal heating, they compare already established gas costs without capital investments with the cost of a completely new system. The high costs of installing a heat pump are associated with the need to lay a horizontal soil collector or drill a vertical well.

Installation of geothermal heating systems in private and country houses is an expensive pleasure. They are characterized by initially high capital investments compared to traditional gas systems. But their payback period is relatively short. It occurs by 18-20 years of operation.

If we compare the cost of gas and geothermal heating, the operation of the latter is cheaper. Such systems consume 3-5 times less electricity. Automation of heat pumps makes it possible to make maximum use of the preferential night tariff for electricity. The equipment allows you to heat buildings to a comfortable temperature of 22-24 degrees.

Therefore, installing a heat pump system represents an investment in your own comfort, safety, independence and prestige.