Geothermal energy saving?

LizEstelle

Haven't I read somewhere recently that:

1. the ground in your garden acts as a gigantic solar collector

2. the temperature a few feet below the surface stays at a fairly constant 50 degrees celsius all year round, irrespective of surface conditions

and

3. there's some company already out there producing some kind of loop system to pre-heat water for home heating/hot water purposes

??????????????????

pboae

Have a google for Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP).

tigerlily

I live in a council property and as the village does not have mains gas they are installing ground source heating for us in the next few months. I will report back once underway!!

Cardew

tigerlily wrote:

I live in a council property and as the village does not have mains gas they are installing ground source heating for us in the next few months. I will report back once underway!!

It will be interesting to get your feedback.

Presumably it will be one central installation supplying several properties, rather than individual installations? Do you live in Flats?

talksalot81

That actually sounds interesting. I had heard of it but didnt think it was big here at all. I have had a quick google but typically dont find costings for these systems... has anyone found any real prices (I know I can get a big grant... but that doesnt tell me how much it costs!)

Thanks!

glosman555

Found some case studies on this website.
https://www.kensaengineering.com/html/casestudies.html

Ken68

Often see farmers in my area drilling boreholes (for water or drainage ).
The augers , from a distance ,look about 12ft long.
So would have thought this could be done even in small front gardens

ariba10

Having been down a few Coal Mines I cant say I have noticed it.

talksalot81

ariba10 wrote:

Having been down a few Coal Mines I cant say I have noticed it.

That is because coal mines are cooled by the air from ground level. If you were in a mine and burried alive, assuming you didnt suffocate, the heat would become apparent.

tigerlily

Cardew wrote:

It will be interesting to get your feedback.

Presumably it will be one central installation supplying several properties, rather than individual installations? Do you live in Flats?

I live in a house which has been turned into 2 flats, the upstairs people bought theirs so its just me getting the system. All properties which have chosen to accept this heating system will have their own borehole drilled somewhere on each property, mine is going to be round the back of my shed and the unit will go inside the shed which is ok by me as then the hum of the system working (sounds like a fridge working) will be outside aswell.

Cardew

tigerlily wrote:

I live in a house which has been turned into 2 flats, the upstairs people bought theirs so its just me getting the system. All properties which have chosen to accept this heating system will have their own borehole drilled somewhere on each property, mine is going to be round the back of my shed and the unit will go inside the shed which is ok by me as then the hum of the system working (sounds like a fridge working) will be outside aswell.

It would be interesting to know how much(per property) the council are paying for the installation, as well as the actual savings made on the bills for each property.

I would hope the council have negotiated a good price for a batch of these devices; also the tenants will be able to give an unbiased appraisal of savings made.