Geothermal Solutions
Alternative Energy Associates, offers optimum geothermal design and installation solutions for commercial and residential buildings. Alternative Energy Associates has NABSEP certified installers to make sure your project is done right the first time. Alternative Energy Associates Specializes in state of the art geothermal systems and we serve NJ, NY, PA and MD.
Our geothermal experts will help you design a cost effective solution to meet your current and future needs. We will also help you get qualified and aware of all Federal and State Energy Programs that will help pay the up front costs of your move to the " The Only Alternative to the Solution"
What is Geothermal or Geo-exchange?
Geothermal or Geo-exchange is a renewable, green technology that harnesses
solar energy stored within the Earth. It is comprised of three main components:
an earth connection, a heat pump, and a distribution system. There are a few
options for distribution.
Geothermal Earth Connection:
The geothermal earth connection is a series of closed-loop, polyethylene pipes, commonly referred to as the earth coil or loop field, These coils or straight loop are installed vertically or horizontally depending on your property. The pipe is typically 5’ to 500’ below the earth’s surface.
The earth’s outer lithosphere acts like a large solar blanket wherein the sun’s radiation is absorbed and stored as heat. Depending on your geographical location, topography and geology, this energy is stored in the earth's crust at a constant temperature of 58 °F.
Geothermal Heat Pump
The geothermal heat pump is a high efficiency heat exchanger, whereby heat is transferred to and from the earth coil water as it circulates around a refrigerant coil. During the heating cycle or winter months, heat from the warmer water in the earth coil is transferred to the refrigerant coil increasing the temperature of the refrigerant and reducing the amount of energy needed to produce the desired air temperature. This process is reversed in the cooling cycle or during the summer, where heat from warmer air is transferred to the refrigerant coil then transferred to the water before circulating back to the ground.
Unlike conventional technologies that heat and cool ambient air to a desired room temperature, a geo-exchange system relies on a relatively constant soil temperature, and because it operates on a much smaller temperature differential or DT, typically 10 °F, it uses 20 - 50% less energy than conventional systems.
Geothermal Distribution System
The geothermal distribution system basically pumps water or
an environmentally safe antifreeze solution from the earth coil to a single
heat pump or a series of heat pumps. This system can be centralized with an
internal building loop or de-centralized with dedicated earth coils to
dedicated heat pumps.
Larger projects with diverse loading can benefit from a centralized system
design, whereas retrofits and smaller buildings can benefit by installing
dedicated units. In either case, quality air conditioning and heating can be
realized in any season.
