Geothermal Retrofit

of HVAC Systems

Absorption Chiller
Water-water (Yazaki Energy Systems)
Water-air
plate heat exchanger heat exchanger

Andrew Chiasson
Geo-Heat Center
Oregon Institute of Technology
 Retrofit Possibilities

Space heating

Domestic hot water

Suitability depends mainly on flow
requirements and need for storage

Space cooling

Newer absorption chillers rated at 192oF
 HVAC Systems
Types

Several types of configurations for space

heating

HVAC systems are categorized by the
method used to convey energy

All-air systems

Air-and-water systems

All-water systems
 HVAC Systems
All-Air Systems

All heating, cooling, and humidification is

supplied to a space by the air

Single-duct systems

Constant volume

Multi-zone, variable-air volume (VAV)

Multi-zone with re-heat

Dual-duct systems
 HVAC Systems
All-Air Systems

Single duct systems

Fossil-fuel furnace with direct-expansion (DX) cooling
 HVAC Systems
All-Air Systems

Single duct systems

Commercial system with central heating and cooling coils
 HVAC Systems
All-Air Systems

Single duct systems

Commercial roof-top units
 HVAC Systems
All-Air Systems

Single duct systems

Commercial system with central heating and cooling coils
 HVAC Systems
All-Air Systems

Single duct systems

Multi-zone commercial system with variable-air volume (VAV) fan
 HVAC Systems
All-Air Systems

Geothermal Retrofit Suitability (Rafferty, 1998)

Low Temperature water (<150oF)

Single-zone, multi-zone, dual duct 8-10

Terminal reheat, VAV 6-8

Standard Temperature water (180-200oF)

Single-zone, multi-zone, dual duct 7-8

Terminal reheat, VAV 6-7

Steam

Single-zone, multi-zone, dual duct 6

Terminal reheat, VAV 4-5

Electric resistance furnace 5-6

Air-air split heat pump 3-4

Fossil-fuel furnace 4-5

Packaged roof-top unit 3-4

Fossil-fuel fired unit heaters 3-4
 HVAC Systems
All-Water Systems

Hot and chilled water are distributed to

terminal units and equipment

Free-standing radiators

Baseboard radiators

Wall, floor, ceiling panels

Fan coil units
 HVAC Systems
All-Water Systems

Fan coil unit Unit ventilator (4-pipe)

 HVAC Systems
All-Water Systems

Fin tube radiator Cast iron radiator

 HVAC Systems
All-Water Systems

Water loop heat pump (California loop)

 HVAC Systems
All-Water Systems

Geothermal Retrofit Suitability (Rafferty, 1998)

Loop heat pump 10

Radiant panel 10

Fan coil/unit ventilator 7-9

Unit heaters 7

Finned tube convector 6

Steam systems 1-3

 HVAC Systems
Perimeter Electric Systems

Geothermal Retrofit Suitability (Rafferty, 1998)

Electric baseboard 2

Through-the-wall units 1