Darcy Solutions Inc. is developing a new way to complete geothermal heating and cooling projects that could create even more demand for today's water well contractors. Based in Excelsior, Minnesota, Darcy Solutions alleviates two common hurdles that often sidetrack geothermal heating and cooling from being pursued: the upfront expense and amount of space the system requires. The company's technology magnifies what each borehole can do, with capacities of up to 40 to 80-plus tons per borehole, whereas the industry average is about one to two tons of heating and cooling capacity per borehole. Its closed-loop system uses a heat exchanger to transfer heat with groundwater rather than sediment and rock but without using any of that groundwater or risking its contamination in the process. Therefore, the system requires fewer holes drilled to meet heating or cooling demand, reducing the surface-level space required by as much as 95. A smaller footprint allows existing buildings-not just new construction-to take advantage of the benefits of geothermal systems without extensive remodeling or disruption.
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