How to achieve low-consumption heating thanks to geothermal energy

Do you know how a geothermal heat pump works? In this article, we will explain the advantages of its installation.

Currently, one of the main standards of energy policy in general, and the construction sector in particular, is energy efficiency. To protect the environment, it is of utmost importance that together we commit to minimizing greenhouse gas emissions. This requires reflecting on the implementation of improvements in our buildings that help reduce their energy demand. It is about integrating a series of passive solutions, so that high energy efficiency is achieved without giving up the comfort and well-being that you and yours deserve.

Advantages of geothermal energy

• The cost of its exploitation is low and its extraction is environmentally friendly.

• Since it can be obtained at any point in the Earth's crust, dependencies on countries that produce current energy sources are minimized.

• The waste resulting from its exploitation, compared to the waste generated by oil or coal, is minimal.

How to save energy

One way to be more efficient is by installing a mechanical ventilation system with a ground/air exchanger in our home. These ground/air exchangers use the subsoil to cool and heat the airflow circulating through a network of ducts running through the ground. In this way, it reduces the temperature of the air being blown into the building during summer and increases it during winter. It is estimated that the energy demand of buildings that have a mechanical ventilation system with a ground/air exchanger decreases by 45%.

Another way to recover energy is through a heat pump. A heat pump is a thermal device that works on the principle that heat, naturally and spontaneously, moves from a hot source to one that is not, until the temperatures of both sources equalize. It is a system that, by obtaining energy from the air, consumes very little energy. Its main uses are for heating and hot water.

To increase the efficiency of a conventional heat pump, a good solution is to use geothermal energy. This involves harnessing the energy from the earth, its stable temperature, and its ability to assimilate and transfer large amounts of thermal energy.

How does a geothermal heat pump work?

First, the ground is drilled to bury the ducts (in case there are groundwater sources, their heat can also be used). A fluid flows through the ducts, exchanging heat with the ground. If the goal is to heat the interior of a room, the fluid will be colder than the earth and will heat up as it absorbs the heat stored by it. Subsequently, it will transfer it to the heat pump. Conversely, if the aim is to cool the environment, the fluid will flow with the thermal energy from inside and will cool down, transferring the heat to the ground and returning it to the pump cooler.

Remember that if we take advantage of resources that nature provides us, particularly geothermal energy, we will not only reduce the energy demand of our building (and, consequently, the cost of our bills), but we will also help minimize harmful greenhouse gas emissions.