Is direct-exchange better than water-based geothermal system in hot or cold climates?
Direct-Exchange is better than water-source anywhere it is used. Two exceptions where water-source has a better application is (1) in large commercial jobs where many tons of heating or cooling are required. The heat can be captured from very far away and then transported back to the building while the direct-exchange in-ground heat exchanger must remain close to the building. (2) is where many smaller heat pumps utilize one large circulating header that shares cooling and heating loads throughout a large building. Heat rejected from one zone is absorbed into another zone via the header circulating water. If the header becomes too cold or too hot, the water is sent into the earth for heat rejection/absorption. Sometimes a boiler and cooling tower is used for non-geothermal systems.
Related Questions
- How does the DHW system in Endurance protect against differential pressures between hot & cold supplies to valves such as T/S valves?
- Do I really need to have a temperature controlled system in place in order to transport hot, cold and/or frozen foods?
- Do more people die in cold climates or hot climates?
