Les conditions requises

In order for the geothermal system to be effective, the surface area for installing the loops must be between 100 and 150% of the area to be heated (this may vary depending on the region, orientation, type of terrain, construction techniques and technology used).

A preliminary study is conducted to define the specific outdoor area for each installation.
The loops are buried about 60 cm below ground, preferably in loose soil (the optimum ground type for heat transfer), no less than 40 cm apart so as to maximise heat transfer. When the available surface area is not large enough to install horizontal coils, it is sometimes possible to use vertical heat-absorbers, a couple of geothermal probes filled with water, generally sunk 60 to 100 meters deep in the ground.
This type of installation is more difficult to implement and requires not only a preliminary geological study but must also comply with regulations on subsoil conservation.

Certain steps must of course be taken whenever burying ground loops: the ground can be covered by lawns, flowerbeds, or shrubbery.
If there are trees in the designated area, the loops must be distanced from them. Any trees planted after installation of the loops are to be placed in pre-defined areas.


There is a minimum distance to be respected between loops and all other objects: loops must be at least 2 meters from trees, 1.5 meters from non-hydraulic buried networks, and 3 meters from foundations, wells, septic tanks, sewage pipes, etc. In addition, the ground must not be covered by hard surfaces or building structures that might keep rainwater from soaking into the ground. They must also not be placed near water inlets or output or other installations that could cause problems with freezing.
The nature of the soil and the terrain may dictate installation procedures: for example, land on a steep slope may require costly levelling.
Moreover, heat transfer is inefficient in rocky soils, a situation rectified by placing a layer of sand around the loop.