Geothermal HVAC Project Implementation; A Primer

Ready to do that Geothermal Heating and Cooling Project?

Assemble Your Geothermal Team From Local Professionals

Implementation of geothermal sourced cooling and heating systems can reduce energy consumption up to 40% compared with other high efficiency HVAC technologies. But first, a good geothermal team needs to be assembled. A geothermal team consists of all the parts to make a geothermal heating and cooling project come to fruition; and they’re likely right in your locale.  You may want to install a geothermal system in your office building, or have it deigned for a whole community, and the parts will be much the same.  Like a library full of books, the knowledge is there.  What makes knowledge powerful is when it is assimilated for a great purpose like earth coupled HVAC.

Scores of queries come in to me asking for help to do ground coupled HVAC projects. I assist by guiding their efforts toward professionals in their area that are ready and able to do the project.  Depending on the project’s scope, the geothermal buyer will need one or more local professionals to assist them.  Every geothermal heating and cooling project needs the following information and components assembled properly to be successful:

1. A geothermal design [template]
2. Geological conditions information
3. Construction knowledge
4. Execution of project

With these four components assembled, the project will be successful.  Let’s expand on these four steps.

1. Once you’ve identified a structure/complex/development/process that you’d like to heat and cool, you’ll need to find a design professional.  This may be the same entity that can perform the installation, but not necessarily.  The best resources for geothermal HVAC professionals can be found at the Geothermal Exchange Organization (GEO), and the International GroundSource Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) and the European Ground Source Heat Pump Association (EGSHPA).  Always consult a few professionals so that you may consider the best fit for your needs.
2. The geological component is important, because you’ll be working with the earth through ground coupling, and there are many good design options available, but one of them will favor your conditions more than others. [earth coupling types].  It may be that the designer you’ve identified has competent data, which can be a bonus.
3. Construction knowledge for geothermal heating and cooling is important.  We want someone who has experience and good credentials.  Even if they have not put it a geothermal heating and cooling system before, a good reference list of completed construction projects similar to yours along with an open mind may be enough qualify them.
   
4. Execution of the project will be easiest when you have ready reference guide or a consultant to which you may refer for guidance. Just as important as a map, a comprehensive text book with a good index such as Modern Geothermal HVAC Engineering and Controls Applications McGraw-Hill Education 2013 will prove essential.

Geo implementation
is simply perfect.

With this pattern in place, you will have assembled your own personal “Geothermal Dream Team”, even if it’s just you and one competent contractor that has comprehensive experience in geothermal HVAC design, geological conditions, construction, and follow through. Illustrations do a great job of guiding us through a set of instructions so here are a seriesof slides here to share the process in pictures at this link.

– Jay Egg is a geothermal consultant, writer, and the owner of EggGeothermal. He has co-authored two textbooks on geothermal HVAC systems published by McGraw-Hill Professional. He can be reached at jayegg.geo@gmail.com .