Information for the prospective geothermal home buyer

Journal Article · Wed Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1999 · Geo-Heat Center Quarterly Bulletin

OSTI ID:691515

Rafferty, K ^[1]

---

1. Oregon Inst. of Tech., Klamath Falls, OR (United States). Geo-Heat Center

This paper was written to assist new homeowners with geothermal heat in Klamath Falls. For anyone not from the area, a geothermally-heated home may be something unfamiliar. This paper is intended to provide some background information to guide one through the purchase of a home equipped with a geothermal system. One aspect of geothermal that is somewhat unique to Klamath Falls is the use of the Downhole Heat Exchanger (also known as a DHE or a loop). This is simply a loop of pipe which is installed in the well and connected to the home`s heating system. Water passes through the DHE, is heated and then passes through the home`s heating system giving up its heat to the space. It is then returned to the DHE to repeat the process. This arrangement eliminates the need to pump water from the well (only heat is removed) and simplifies the system. The paper offers some detailed comments on the systems and some suggestions for questions to ask of one`s agent or the existing homeowner.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: FG01-99EE35098
• OSTI ID: 691515
• Journal Information: Geo-Heat Center Quarterly Bulletin, Journal Name: Geo-Heat Center Quarterly Bulletin Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 20; ISSN GCQBDW; ISSN 0276-1084
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
GEOTHERMAL HEATING SYSTEMS
GEOTHERMAL SPACE HEATING
GEOTHERMAL WATER HEATING
GEOTHERMAL WELLS
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HOUSES
INFORMATION DISSEMINATION
OREGON