Andrew Chiasson

Geo-Heat Center
Oregon Institute of Technology
Geothermal Retrofit
of HVAC Systems
Absorption Chiller
(Yazaki Energy Systems)
Water-air
heat exchanger
Water-water
plate heat exchanger
Retrofit Possibilities
Space heating
Domestic hot water
Suitability depends mainly on flow
requirements and need for storage
Space cooling
Newer absorption chillers rated at 192
o
F

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 (<150
o
F)
Single-zone, multi-zone, dual duct 8-10
Terminal reheat, VAV 6-8
Standard Temperature water (180-200
o
F)
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