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Groundsource

Geothermal aka Groundsource
Geothermal also goes by the name Groundsource, which in fact is a more accurate and less confusing name. For accuracy sake Opensourcegreen will use the term “Groundsource” in the place of “Geothermal”.

If you can sink a full sized swimming pool into your yard you can take advantage of groundsource – unless you are literally sitting on bedrock

The basis of groundsource is simple. In most areas, the temperature several feet below ground surface stays at 45-55 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year. All one needs is sufficient space to sink a piping system into the ground and set up an indoor heat pump system to take advantage of this temperature average. In the summer this 45-55 degree constant cools the house, in winter the process is reversed and the heat is pulled out of the earth and concentrated by the heat pump. As a bonus - excess heat from this process can be used all year long in the place of a normal water heater.
Cost savings on heating and air conditioning can be as high as 70%.

Residential and commercial systems have been in use for years in regions as far north as Canada and as far south as Texas.

Two different piping approaches are presently used.

Shallow Horizontal Piping. An excavation up to 10 feet deep is made and a looped piping system is sunk in the ground. The trenches are then filled and an external pumping system is installed. Due to its relatively low expense this system is mainly used for residential geothermal sites.

Deep Vertical Piping. A series of deep wide holes are drilled to between 50 and 600 feet and looped piping is sunk into the holes. The holes are again filled and heat pump is installed. Although more expensive, Deep Vertical piping is used mainly for larger installations like buildings where surface space availability is generally at a premium and weight on the surface (i.e. trucks, heavy machinery etc) is a significant factor. This system can be installed under a structure during construction.

Where to begin

Unlike Photovoltaics, where information on installation is easily available, a Groundsource/Geothermal installation starts with groundsource certified architects and engineers.

A list, by geographic region, may be found on this site under “Groundsource/Geothermal engineers and architects".

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