Description

The Canadian Geothermal Well uses the concept of thermal inertia to provide heat and cooling to a building. Thermal inertia refers to the ability of a material to conduct and store heat. In this particular case, it takes advantage of the fact that the ground temperature just beneath the Earth’s surface is warmer than the air above during the winter and cooler in summer.

How the canadian geothermal well operates

The well apparatus must be attached to either a natural or a mechanically controlled ventilation system. ADEME does not recommend connecting it to a dual-flow controlled mechanical ventilation system. View data sheet (in French).

Air is pumped through a pipe buried approximately two metres below the surface and recirculated into the buildings ventilation system. A fan facilitates airflow through the system. See Figure 1.

Dimensions

The following factors need to be considered:

• Latitude
• Soil type
• Surface terrain
• Building type
• Budget
• Heating and cooling needs

In order to properly plan and configure installation, a thermal analysis of the site must be conducted. This will help determine the system requirements:

• length of the pipe being installed (approximately OR an average of 30 to 50 metres with a slope of 1%, 2% or 3%)
• diameter of the tube according to volumetric output (m³/h) required
• dimensions and placement of the air intake
• type of condensation discharge system
• type of ventilation system
• type of control device based on the premise that the ground temperature just beneath the Earth’s surface is warmer than the air above during the winter and cooler in summer

Installation

For a detailed schematic view LeRoy Merlin

(this is not a sponsored link)

Translated from French by : Mabelle Ortiz.

Seen at

Name		Type of facility	Environment	Country	Swap?
	Le Nid des Anges	Cottages & furnished rentals	rural	France	No

Provider

Currently there are no local manufacturers, however, installation kits can be purchased for €1,000 to €3,000. Additional expenses include engineering, excavation and grading, as well as ventilation costs. Set-up costs are higher than for conventional heating and cooling systems but the difference is recovered in energy savings.

Download the ADEME (Environment and Energy Management Agency) data sheet (in French).