The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) provides resources, expertise, and objective information so that residents of New York, USA, can make confident and informed energy decisions.  

After learning about Kilfrost GEO antifreeze for ground-source heat pumps (GSHP), NYSERDA contracted Kilfrost to undertake a study to evaluate GEO's performance.

In this article we have summarised the findings, but the full report can be reviewed upon request.

The study investigated GEO’s potential to improve the performance of GSHP systems while reducing installation and operating costs for New York State residents.

The investigation involved an experimental study, with apparatus designed and built at the Hudson Valley Community College TEC-SMART facility. This led to the successful design, construction, and operation of experimental equipment that mimicked a GSHP system.

This was then used to quantify performance differences between GEO and a standard antifreeze, propylene glycol, the pumping power required to move the Kilfrost fluid through the system decreased, resulting in better performance and lower energy costs.

The study found that GEO maintains a wider operating window of flow rates over a range of freeze protections and fluid temperatures compared to propylene glycol.

When Kilfrost GEO was compared with propylene glycol at -6°C freeze point, electricity savings ranged from 11% to 15%. The energy saving would be even higher for lower freeze point protection.

The investigation also found a potential opportunity to reduce drilling depths by as much as 27% when using Kilfrost GEO, as the fluid is better able to perform in colder temperatures with lower freeze protection.

A further consideration for using Kilfrost GEO is that it is likely to maintain fluid turbulence, which better supports heat transfer and freeze protection. This leads to greater system reliability and provides less risk to system owners, designers, installers, and investors.

Ready to learn more about how GEO can make your systems run better? Get in touch.

Discover more about Kilfrost GEO: www.kilfrost.com/kilfrost-geo