The earth a few meters below the surface stays near constant temperature all year. That stable thermal mass can be used to pre-condition ventilation air before it reaches a building, cutting heating and cooling loads.
How Ground Coupling Works
Outdoor air is passed through a buried pipe loop (ground heat exchanger) or across a ground-coupled coil. In winter the ground warms the incoming air; in summer it cools it. The air-to-air exchanger then fine-tunes the temperature using building exhaust.
Two Common Approaches
- Earth-air heat exchanger (EAHX): A network of buried pipes that tempers fresh air directly. Simple, no refrigerant.
- Ground-source heat pump (GSHP) + recovery: A heat pump upgrades ground energy; an air-to-air core recovers exhaust heat for additional savings.
Where It Pays Off
- Extreme climates with large seasonal swings
- Buildings with high fresh-air requirements (schools, labs)
- Passive or near-zero-energy building projects
- Greenhouses and agricultural facilities
Design Cautions
- Pipe depth and length must match airflow and soil type.
- Avoid placing intakes near contaminant sources (septic, fuel tanks).
- Condensation in the buried pipe needs a drain or slope.
- Combine with a plate or heat-pipe core for best year-round performance.
よくある質問
Does the ground freeze in winter?
Below ~2 m the temperature is stable and rarely freezes; the top few meters provide the seasonal buffering.
Is it worth the excavation cost?
For large, continuous ventilation loads it often pays back in 3-6 years; for small buildings the air-to-air core alone is usually enough.
よくある質問
Does the ground freeze in winter?
Below ~2 m the temperature is stable and rarely freezes; the top few meters provide the seasonal buffering.
Is it worth the excavation cost?
For large, continuous ventilation loads it often pays back in 3-6 years; for small buildings the air-to-air core alone is usually enough.
適切な熱交換器を選定
当社のエンジニアが風量、温度、圧力損失の予算に合わせてコアを設計し、用途に応じて板式・回転式・ヒートパイプ回収を選定します。以下をお読みください: 熱交換器ガイド 、または仕様についてお問い合わせください。
関連製品
HVAC および換気向けの板式・回転式・ヒートパイプ回収。
空気と液体用の大表面積固定コア。
大風量向け高効率エネルギー回収。
清浄用途向けの受動的・完全分離流。