Integrated Design Process 20101

Integrated design process

Three factors influence the cost of building a ground heat exchanger (GHX). They are the energy loads to and from the GHX, the site and the geology. The designer has little or no control over the site and the geology.

The designer can, however, influence the loads to the GHX. By working with the building designer and owner while modeling the building, the designer may find that by a different type of window may reduce the cooling loads, or that a more efficient ventilation system can have an impact on the heating loads.

To balance the annual heating and cooling loads, it may sometimes be advantageous to add the domestic water heating load to the GHX, or add snow melt to the front entrance or the loading dock rather than adding a cooling tower to the system.

By working closely with your design team, your contractor, your suppliers and the future building users it is often possible to reduce both the capital cost of building a GeoExchange™ system for your building, the maintenance costs and your energy consumption / cost