Outfalling rainwater drainage over horizontal GSHP collector loop

grumps · 2008-08-07 12:16:08

Just wondering does anyone have any opinions (adverse or not) as to the benefits/problems of constructing a system to run some/all roof rainwater drainage to be outfalled via perforated pipes to the ground area in the vicinty of a collector loop for a horizontal ground source heat pump system. The idea being that the…

07-08-2008 01:16PM

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grumps

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Just wondering does anyone have any opinions (adverse or not) as to the benefits/problems of constructing a system to run some/all roof rainwater drainage to be outfalled via perforated pipes to the ground area in the vicinty of a collector loop for a horizontal ground source heat pump system.

The idea being that the increased moisture in the soil surrounding the collector might enhance the transfer of heat to the loop, thus improving efficieny.

sustainable maybe, but practical?

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#2 07-08-2008 01:53PM

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The only real issues you may have is that the ground could freeze if you have a prolonged cold spell, a risk of the rainwater freezing in the pipes and backing up.

I believe that in certain parts of the US it's illegal to place geothermal pipes under a percolation area for that reason.

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