ᐅ Experience with spiral collectors / ground heat exchangers

Created on: 15 May 2016 14:49
E
expose
E
expose
15 May 2016 14:49
Hello,

Does anyone have experience with geothermal baskets, or perhaps has installed and operated them themselves?

Thank you in advance
S
Stinson
19 Dec 2016 08:42
Hello Nordmann,

Are there any experiences by now?

Regards
S
Stinson
22 Feb 2017 10:31
Correct, it’s about the baskets (spiral collectors) as shown in the link from King Song or, for example, from the company IWS in Celle. There are quite a few suppliers.
M
mading
22 Feb 2017 10:37
Hi,

I would be cautious about this. If I understand correctly, it’s similar to ground coils, which are usually installed over a large area about 2-3 meters (6.5-10 feet) deep. From what I’ve read as a non-expert, there really aren’t long-term experiences available. If something doesn’t work, you might have to excavate a large area.

Excavation work is expensive and complex, not to mention that you need the space and might damage your garden or outdoor areas.

I also looked into the ice storage solution, which doesn’t seem too complicated, but I eventually decided against it.

In the end, I would go for proven solutions that are easy to maintain. Either gas heating, an air-source heat pump, or even a ground-source heat pump. Both can be combined with photovoltaic panels and in a few years, paired with an electricity storage system. We will be installing a ground-source heat pump. Of course, there is always some risk involved, such as needing to drill new boreholes.

Best regards,
Mading
F
Flose89
22 Feb 2017 12:14
My acquaintance has had 5 baskets in his garden for 8 years and is satisfied. However, he didn’t have space for a surface installation of the collector.

I chose the ground collector because, first, I have enough space (700m² (7,535 sq ft) collector on a 1600m² (17,222 sq ft) plot), and second, four heating engineers said it is less efficient than a surface system because it would have to be completely filled with sand, which does not store heat as well as normal soil. It regenerates more slowly and was significantly more expensive than the surface collector. I think it was about twice the cost.

Regards
KingSong22 Feb 2017 13:53
Then the four heating installers are probably somewhat misinformed... the baskets are usually filled with soil and compacted.

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