Horizontal air-to-earth heat exchangers in Northern Italy: testing, design, and monitoring

Earth heat exchange (EHX) through buried horizontal air ducts (EHXair-hor) can be an effective passive/hybrid system to reduce heating and cooling loads in temperate climate zones. This paper shows the results of field testing, by the authors, of a buried pipe system for a single family dwelling and the design development of a large EHXair-hor system for a High School building. The monitoring plan for the latter is also described. Considerations on critical aspects, such as the terrain warming effect of EHXair-hor systems are also outlined.