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Geothermal probe

Vaillant geoTHERM/geoCOMPACT geothermal heat pump

Geothermal probes (GTP), like geothermal collectors, are heat exchangers that utilise the thermal energy of the earth. The geothermal probes are used with a brine-water heat pump (geothermal heat pump) to produce heat for the heating system and hot water.

Unlike the geothermal heat collectors, which are laid flat but only just below the frost line, geothermal probes take up very little space on the property. They use geothermal energy from the depths, which are constantly between 5 and 10 degrees on average throughout the year. The geothermal probe pipe system is laid vertically at a depth of between 30 and 200 metres, for which drilling permits are required.

Brine, a water-antifreeze mixture with a very low boiling point, circulates inside the geothermal probe. The brine-water heat pump compresses the steam, increases the temperature and transfers it to the heat storage tanks for heating and service water. Brine-water heat pumps with geothermal probes have an excellent efficiency, but are more expensive than geothermal heat collectors due to the drilling work involved.

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