Geothermal and solar with external heat sink?
Last Post 03 Feb 2015 11:18 AM by hansca04. 8 Replies.
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hansca04User is Offline
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29 Jan 2015 10:54 AM

Looking for some input on a design that I am kicking around. Tried finding some detailed information from other similar installed systems but no luck so far. Hoping someone here has some insight on something like this.

House:
Located in Southern Maine, 1700 sqft ranch which includes the soon to be finished basement. Retrofitted sub floor radiant heating system for basement and first floor. R-19 walls and R-60 attic. House has attached garage on south side, no south facing roof as ridge line is almost due north - south. House was constructed in 1996. Have 108' well.

Current heating system is a 2004 oil fired boiler, also get my hot water from the boiler. Efficiency of boiler is 86% based on the last service done fall 2014. I will be completing the radiant retrofit in time for next winter.

System I am trying to find more info on:
 - 3 ton Geothermal system also provides hot water
- Evacuated tube solar collectors plumbed into hot water storage tank and heat sink. With temp regulating valves on hot water tank to properly divert water from collectors to heat sink when it hits 120F Heat sink is constructed out of Concrete with loops through out. One loop for the solar hot water system and another loop for the geothermal system.
- Heat sink would be buried 12' deep, ground temp is about 45 F at this point.

Also will install thermocouples in various locations in the system to monitor and troubleshoot with the whole system tied to PLC and HMI for house monitoring and zone temp control.

Questions I have:

- Will this system work? Would like to have enough heat in the heat sink to provide 75% of the heating needs at night and also be big enough to dump the heat from the evacuated tube collectors in the summer when I don't need as much heating.
- How big would the heat sink have to be? Was doing calculations based on 25'x25'x3' for the heat sink but realize that this is probably overkill? Foot print isn't an issue.
- Would an electric hot water tank with the solar collectors be better than using the geothermal for hot water?
- How many 30 tube evacuated tube collectors would be needed for the appropriately sized heat sink?

I have gotten quotes for drilling my well deeper and going with a standard geothermal system but it was way to expensive for the well and no guarantees my well water would still be potable when it was completed. Issues with brackish water in our area.

Thanks for any help and info!

hansca04User is Offline
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31 Jan 2015 07:04 PM
Is there a better sub to post this in?
jonrUser is Offline
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01 Feb 2015 08:07 AM
If you want to store heat, use a large (say 5000 gallon) insulated water tank.
ChrisJUser is Offline
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01 Feb 2015 10:31 AM
I am a homeowner with geo... I really don't know if your cement heat sink will work.

When it comes to a huge investment of Geo and Solar Using 2 expensive systems with a basically unknown loop system is a scary way to spend money.

This company, http://thermalbatterysystems.com, has been working on a storage system that might be interesting to you.

You mention geo that produces hot water and radiant at subfloor. Are you thinking of water to water geo to supply water for radiant?

Chris

hansca04User is Offline
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03 Feb 2015 07:22 AM
Yes I was leaning heavily toward water to water. Or glycol/water to water in my case. My thinking is if a ground loop works why wouldn't a heated concrete system. It will still transmit the energy from the ground into the loops being 12 feet down and have the added benefit of getting a little extra from the sun once my potable hot water needs are filled. Will definitely check out the web site above as well.
hansca04User is Offline
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03 Feb 2015 08:32 AM
Contacted the company that you linked. It looks exactly like what I am interested in! Thanks!!
ChrisJUser is Offline
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03 Feb 2015 09:30 AM
That's good. Good luck!

If your going to dig a big pit anyway you are better off using water then concrete for storage.

Try to use the KISS principle when ever possible. I think being sure the ground loop is enough to support the heat pump without solar is important. As you know the sun doesn't shine that much in early winter in Maine.

Chris
Bob IUser is Offline
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03 Feb 2015 09:47 AM
Contact Kim at the Energy Emporium in Enfield, NH (energyemp.com/). She installed a buried thermal (water) storage tank at her home/store several years ago and can tell you how well it works and probably give you some guidance.
Bob Irving<br>RH Irving Homebuilders<br>Certified Passive House Consultant
hansca04User is Offline
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03 Feb 2015 11:18 AM
Thanks Bob I will do that as well!
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