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Geothermal Heating
Heat can be extracted from the ground and used to produce hot water, heat buildings and is ideal for heating swimming pools. The heat is free and the heat pump required to extract the heat uses electricity. The net result is generally 4 kilowatt of heat from each kilowatt of electricity consumed.
The technology employed is well proven, is used extensively on the continent and now, with increasing oil and gas prices, is becoming popular in the UK. It utilises refrigeration technology to take low temperature heat energy from the ground and turn it into higher temperature heat energy.
Heat can be extracted from the ground by laying of pipes in trenches, or more efficiently by drilling boreholes and pumping water from the ground or passing a fluid through looped pipes in the borehole to be warmed by the rock. In each case the water or fluid is cooled by a heat pump to extract warmth for heating and is then warmed again by the ground in a continuous cycle.
The upper surface of the earths crust maintains a nearly constant temperature of 10 to 16 degrees Centigrade and geothermal systems tap into this heat source to heat and cool buildings.
Ashton Bennett are geotechnical engineers well qualified to recommend the optimal system based upon the building or process requirements and the geology and hydrogeology underlying the site.
Installation of geothermal ground source heating need not be disruptive and requires little space. A borehole installation can be positioned under a footpath, in a courtyard or even under a building.
There is a capital outlay for the initial installation, but thereafter reliable low cost heat is available continuously. Additionally it is possible, if required, to reverse the cycle in summer to remove the unwanted heat from the building and return it into the ground ready for next winter, thus increasing the efficiency and value of the system.
Generally the installation of a geothermal system is part of a project to increase the energy efficiency of a building or process. Installation of underfloor heating, heat recovery from extracted air or expelled water, measures to reduce unwanted air infiltration, and improved insulation are often also part of the brief.
An initial free consultation is provided to discuss clients specific requirements and suggest the most economic and suitable complete solution. Thereafter a detailed estimate is produced for all the work necessary and for project management the installation.
Geothermal heat is a clean, economic, safe and environmentally friendly way to heat buildings which is sustainable and which reduces carbon footprints. It is a cost effective and long term alternative to oil and gas.
Geothermal installations are undertaken through our sister company earthtest energy whose engineers install the heat pumps and heating system which connect to ground source heat installations supervised by Ashton Bennett geotechnical engineers. Following installation, the system is commissioned to ensure efficiency levels are being attained for the client.
For more information regarding Geothermal heating, please visit our sister company earthtestenergy.