re: confused about geothermal SOLAR.KnowledgePublications.com

re: confused about geothermal
20 feb 1997
>> wlparker@postoffice.ptd.net wrote:

>> > ...i am considering geothermal.  my builder wants to put in an open
>> > system with 2 wells...

how about a simpler form of geothermal heat: air condition the basement in
winter, and use the warm side of the ac to heat the house. with the main
thermal resistance being a still air film, a 1000 ft^2 basement floor might
provide about (55-35)1000x1.5 = 30k btu/hr of ground-coupled heat for a house.
is this consistent with waterfurnace sizing specs?

the earth is not a great conductor of heat for downwards heatflow, especially
if it is dry, according to figure 6 on page 22.13 of the 1993 ashrae hof, but
according to norman saunders, pe, the main direction for ground heatflow is
up, as water evaporates from lower layers and condenses above. does it make
sense to add some water to a dry basement floor with a solenoid valve and
humidistat to help ensure a damp basement in the winter, ie to increase the 
soil conductivity and raise the latent cooling load in the winter?

nick