Case Study: Exploiting Lake Energy for Efficient Heating in Main Ridge

SóGeo was engaged by Grant in Main Ridge, VIC to upgrade an existing heating system on his residential property. While underfloor heating already existed in this home, we wanted to further increase efficiency by taking advantage of an exceptional resource on his land: a spring fed lake. SóGeo installed a 15kW geothermal heat pump (GSHP) using this lake as its heat source - significantly lowering installation costs while simultaneously increasing system performance (SCOP).

Innovative Geothermal Solution

To maximize efficiency and reduce costs, we implemented a lake loop connected to our Geothermal Source Heat Pump (GSHP). Its consistent temperature maintained by an underground spring provided a consistent source of heat for our system - helping us achieve an impressive Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP), all while keeping installation costs significantly lower than traditional geo-exchange systems.

Not only did we harness the lake’s energy, we also upgraded their underfloor heating heat pumps with modern EC units to maximize performance and control. Now the system provides optimal heating throughout their home for greater comfort during colder months.

Overcoming Challenges

Our project presented us with one key challenge - limited plant room space. The existing plant room was small, filled with outdated and energy-intensive pumps which made the upgrade process complex. To overcome these spatial restrictions, we installed a custom wall-mounted buffer tank from Germany which enabled us to more effectively utilize available space; additionally, we switched out old equipment with brushless high efficiency pumps which reduced energy usage significantly while guaranteeing long term viability of heating system.

Efficient Installation

This project was handled entirely by SóGeo without using external contractors, taking just one week to install. The innovative wall-mounted buffer tank created additional storage space while still offering functionality to Grant.

Remarkable Results

This new heating system achieved an SCOP of 5.1, an impressive achievement given local conditions. Lake temperatures averaged 8 degrees C during winter, providing a strong source of warmth. Due to an existing underfloor heating system installed with 200-250mm pipe spacings on concrete slab, we needed to increase flow temperature from 8degC up to 50-55degC for heat loss requirements of the home. Regardless of this higher flow temperature requirement, system performance remained strong thanks to Lake aiding the efficiency.

Client Feedback
Grant was delighted with the results of his project. His electricity bills saw significant reductions and he expressed great pleasure with his new geothermal heating system’s performance. Thanks to advanced equipment and efficient lake energy use, he found exactly what he was searching for: an energy-efficient solution with optimal comfort levels. 

Key Takeaways

• Sustainable Heating: Employing natural resources such as lakes to enhance heating system efficiency. 
• Innovative Solutions: Bespoke solutions such as wall-mounted buffer tanks can overcome spatial limitations in existing infrastructure.

Upgrading to modern inverter-driven units can significantly enhance control and performance in heating systems.

Conclusion: This project illustrates SóGeo’s dedication to innovative geothermal heating solutions. By taking advantage of natural resources like lakes, we created an energy efficient heating system that not only exceeded space limitations but also reduced energy consumption. If you are an engineer, architect, or homeowner looking for sustainable heating and cooling solutions SóGeo offers tailored approaches tailored specifically to their unique needs.