With today’s high petrol prices it is time to look for new alternative ways for our heating. Geothermia or Geothermal heating is one of those new ways to explore because there is unlimited energy into the earth or the air which we can use for our heating.
Sweden after 30-35 years in experimenting with the direct heat absorption (DX) system, now changes all the old ones (Oil & diesel) systems to the new Geothermal ones, based on the known Heat pump which is used by the air conditions and refrigerators with the only difference that it is more economical that the air conditions by 30-60%.
The initial purchase cost & installation might seen at first look a little higher than the conventional system of diesel burner but the running economy and cleanliness in the use and without the yearly maintenance which is required on the diesel burner will be recovered in 5-6 years.
The geothermic or geothermal systems of heating are:
- Ecological
- Economical in use
- Without yearly maintenance
- Return of initial extra capital from the difference in price of diesel/oil in 5-6 years
- Tried & tested in Sweden for more than 30 years
- One (1) year guarantee
WHAT IS GEOTHERMAL ENERGY?
The pumping of energy from the earth or the air and the use of it for the production of heating.
An alternative way for the heating of houses is the use of the heat pump and the exploitation of the pumped energy from the constant temperature of the earth or the air.
By average the ground temperature at a depth of 60-70 cm is +7 degrees C when the surface temperature is 0 degrees C.
There are many ways to pump this energy and change it to heating but the cheapest and more practical way is the use of the heat pump which is used in Sweden and the rest of Scandinavian countries with great success now for the last 30 years.
Heat Emission:
The heat is supplied through a stainless steel heat exchanger by the warm cycle of the heat pump. On the one side of the heat exchanger flows the hot compressed refrigerant and on the other side water or refrigerant (depending on the system DX or Brine).
The heating system is supplied with energy by for example, the water coming from the cold end of the accumulator tank being thus heated and then pumped back to the warm end of the tank (Brine system) or by the hot refrigerant (DX system).
Such a tried and tested system we brought to Greece and after two years with success in Corfu we are now ready to offer it with guarantee to the rest of Greece.
We are starting now to look for representatives in different areas and we hope to have soon a very good network with experienced technicians.
The advantage of this system DX or Air is that it requires no other maintenance, it is clean and environmentally friendly.
Home Heating Alternatives
#1 Geothermal Heat Pumps
These usually rely on constant underground temperatures to effectively heat a home during the cold weather. Depending on the location of your house, the underground temperature is between 7 Degrees Celsius C and 21 Degrees Celsius all through the whole year – typically warmer than the winter surface temperature. The higher underground temperature makes cause the geothermal pumps to be more efficient as compared to the air source heat pumps, which need to warm the cold air from the exterior first.
Geothermal heating systems usually cost more as compared to an air source system since the process of installation includes digging a hole on the ground or positioning heat-transferring coils in a water body which is close to home. Although the Energy Department claims that these systems will cover the difference in costs within 5 to 10 years. They usually have 25 years lifespan.
#2 Heating Oil
Among the familiar sources of energy for central heating systems is natural gas. For remote regions with restrained access to natural gas, oil-fired furnaces and boilers are an option.
Oil furnaces are inexpensive as compared to other natural-gas sources, although the gas models are relatively more productive on average. Oil furnaces have an AFUE of about 80 to 90 percent while on the other hand, gas furnaces have a 90 or more AFUE. Oil needs an onsite tank for storage, although they have several significant pros besides their reduced initial price tag.
You can burn a combination of biofuels in your oil heating systems, which reduced pollution as well as cost. In addition, oil offers more heat per BTU as compared to other sources. BTU is a unit which regularly measures the energy required to produce heat.
#3 Pellet Stoves
The trend for using wood stoves is making a comeback due to its high-efficiency pellet stoves, which are cleaner-burning. Some stoves are efficient enough to heat the whole house. The pellets which offer this device its name are generally made of a wood-based compound which is inclusive of other organic materials like nut shells or corn husks.
According to the Energy Department, these stoves are the cleanest solid fuel heating pick in the industry. They are also easier to fit as compared to the customary wood-burning stoves or fireplaces. When purchasing one, it is essential to pick the appropriate size of stove for your home.
Pellet stoves are usually designed in various sizes, which will produce heat at rates of 8 000 to 90 000 BTU each hour, which is sufficient to heat a whole house. The disadvantage of pellet stoves is their maintenance; you may require to fill it every day, clean it every week, and have it cleaned professionally every year.
#4 Solar Heating
There are two kinds of solar heating – active & passive. The passive type depends on solar gain, where solar heat goes through windows and or skylights and offers heat for the house. It can be retained using an absorber and thermal mass. In a house, the absorber usually is a covering of the floor like tiles, and the floor underneath or walls is the thermal mass which retains the heat.
Passive solar heating can function as a supplement for regular heating systems. Fitting the skylights as well as the windows facing south can enhance solar gain and sequentially reduce heating cost.
The active kind is less common and is typically utilized as a supplement to conventional central heating. The solar collector utilizes the heat from the sun to warm liquid, or at times air. The heated material is stored or transmitted directly to the living pavilion either using a radiant heat system or blower.
#5 Under-Floor Heating
Solar power is not necessarily required for radiant heat. Boiler or electric-powered under-floor radiant heat systems can help you to save on energy costs by getting rid of the heat loss that frequently happens when warm air passes via ductwork. In addition, scientific American approximates the under-floor systems are about 15% more effective as compared to a regular boiler-powered radiator.
They may also beneficial for persons who have allergies since it does not blow the air via the house as a forced-air system does. The major disadvantage of under-floor heating is that fitting it requires removing or at times replacing floor coverings like hardwood or tiles. This is why it is a better choice for newly constructed houses or ones undergoing significant remodeling.
