Earth Products: Overview
Geothermal technology can provide energy efficient and renewable energy based central heating and cooling systems that can cut up to 70% from your energy bill, whilst reducing your carbon footprint by minimising pollution.
Geothermal energy is extracted from a reasonably constant earth core temperature of 12.2° to 13.3°C. Running a thermal loop to this constant core temperature by drilling wells vertically or horizontally allows this heat to transfer to a medium in pipes. These pipes contain fluid from which either cooling or heating is extracted. In cooling mode a compressor works less hard when it is exposed to 22°C from the ground instead of 38°C from the outside air; in heating it will work easier when exposed to a ground temperature of 18°C instead of a cold night air temperature of 2°C.
Geothermal energy is a type of renewable energy that encourages conservation of natural resources. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, geo-exchange systems save homeowners 30-70 percent in heating costs, and 20-50 percent in cooling costs, compared to conventional systems. Geo-exchange systems also save money because they require much less maintenance. In addition to being highly reliable they are built to last for decades.
At Planet Power, we know that this technology is not only viable but is set to become a major player in Australia with both domestic and commercial applications.
Government Rebates
Government rebates for the installation of Geothermal Heating & Cooling are available in regional Victoria through the Four Seasons Energy Pilot Program.
- Feasibility studies: Funding will be provided for community groups, councils and businesses for feasibility studies into using these new energy technologies in comparison to other combined heating and cooling options.
- Capital costs: The Victorian Government will support the full capital cost of installing GeoExchange systems at public sites such as secondary schools, community centres, police stations, retirement housing, hospitals, fire stations and libraries, and 50% of the capital cost of installing the system at private demonstration sites.
Proposed projects will be initiated by a public or private organisation that would support the project up to a period of five years after its completion by allowing the energy use to be monitored.
For more information about Government Rebates for Geothermal Heating and Cooling, Please contact us to find out more.
Geothermal Heating and Cooling
Geothermal Heating and cooling systems provide a highly cost-competitive and environmentally friendly alternative for supply of:
- Radiant Hydronic in-floor heating
- Hydronic radiant panel heating
- Chilled water cooling
- Forced air central heating and cooling
- Heating for swimming pools and spas
- Hot water for domestic and commercial use.
Geothermal Hydronic In-floor heating
Combining radiant hydronic floor heating with our Geothermal heating system will provide a high level of comfort at low cost.
As an alternative to forced air heating and cooling via an air handler, a geothermal heat pump can also provide the most efficient heating and cooling source for any radiant hydronic heating system and chilled water for a fan coil cooling system. This feature can be incorporated without the need to ‘oversize’ the equipment.
- Geothermal In-floor Hydronic heating provides warmth the way nature does by natural convection and radiation and does not dry out the air
- There is no danger of a burn or scald as the system is fully enclosed with radiator temperatures well below boiling point. The surface temperature of natural convectors is pleasantly warm to the touch.
- Anyone used to the noise of wall heaters, space heaters and some fan forced ducted units will be amazed and delighted by the silence of hydronic heating
- Drawing heat from the earth itself, the system delivers renewable geothermal energy with higher efficiency than any other powered water or associated heating system. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has rated it the most environmentally clean and efficient air-conditioning system available
For more information about Geothermal Hydronic In-floor Heating, Please contact us to find out more.
Hydronic Radiant Panel Heating
Radiant panel heating requires a smaller initial investment than a full in-floor system and has the advantage of being able to be specifically targeted to one or more areas of the home, thus minimising the energy usage to where it is actually needed at the time.
There are many types of radiant heating panels: modular panels, corner panels, perimeter panels, electric tiles and even floor panel. They can be wall and ceiling-mounted panels and are usually made from aluminium or steel. They have a quick response time (much quicker than other radiant systems), allowing comfortable temperatures within minutes.
For more information about Geothermal Radiant Panel Heating, Please contact us to find out more
For more information about Geothermal Hydronic In-floor Heating, Please contact us to find out more
Geothermal air-conditioning systems can now be combined with water fan-cooled systems to provide perfect atmospheric comfort in hot or cold weather conditions.
Geothermal systems can now be configured as air-cooled chiller systems designed to satisfy the requirements of both the residential and commercial markets. They are available for new construction, retrofit, hydronic and DIY markets.
For more information about Geothermal Air-Conditioning, Please contact us to find out more
Geothermal Pool and Spa Heating
Suited for spas or swimming pools (domestic or commercial), geothermal systems have an equalled water heating efficiency when compared to traditional methods.
The studies show that geothermal heating of swimming pools is achieved at one quarter of the cost of water heated by normal electric means. No matter the size of the pool, the geothermal heating system will reduce the heating cost AND the greenhouse gas emission as there is no use of fossil fuels. Because its energy source is the infinite renewable solar energy stored in the earth, it can operate efficiently in any climate, every hour of the year.
For more information about Geothermal Pool and Spa Heating, Please contact us to find out more
Hot water for Commercial and Domestic Use
Geothermal renewable energy water heating reduces the cost of heating large volumes of water by up to 75%.
These systems deliver up to 400% electrical efficiency. For every Watt of electricity consumed by the compressor, the system delivers three to four times that amount of heat energy to the water storage tank.
Whether in commercial or domestic applications, the monthly energy savings can be so large that the payback period becomes very attractively short.
For more information about Geothermal Water Heating, Please contact us to find out more
