Plastic Piping Materials
for Geothermal Applications
It's important to understand the piping materials used for geothermal jobs.
By Lance MacNevin, P.Eng.
L
et's begin with revisiting the definition of geothermal
heating and cooling systems, also referred to as "ground
source" or "earth energy" heat pump systems.
Geothermal heating and cooling systems are defined as:
"self-contained, electrically-powered systems that take advan-
tage of the Earth's relatively constant, moderate ground tem-
perature to provide heating, cooling, and domestic hot water
more efficiently and less expensively than would be possible
through other conventional heating and cooling technologies,"
according to the International Ground Source Heat Pump As-
sociation (IGSHPA).
The heart of a ground source heat pump system is the elec-
tric heat pump or pumps located within a house or building.
(COVER STORY)
HDPE pipe being installed in a borehole at Vancouver
International Airport. Image courtesy Versaprofiles.
20 n July 2022 WWJ
waterwelljournal.com
PIPE FOR GEO
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