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The District Heating System
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Plastic, insulated, underground pipe is used to distribute heated water from the community’s Energy Centre back to the homes. The hot water circulating through these pipes will typically be 37 - 50°C (100-120 °F). The distribution temperature will vary through the year based on the outside air temperature and the flow regulated to match demands by the homeowners.
This lower hot water distribution temperature reduces losses from the pipes and is more compatible with the solar energy source and seasonal energy storage. Keeping the system operating temperature as low as possible causes the solar collectors to operate in a more efficient manner, thus increasing the total quantity of heat available for delivery to the homes. It also increases the effective energy capacity of the borehole thermal energy system.
Because of a lower water temperature used in the district heating system, each home is equipped with a specially designed air-handler unit for adequate heat distribution.
Drake Landing Solar Community Site Plan
