Thermal Response Test - TRT

From the British Geological Survey we can get a good general impression of the geology of the site for your building. However, a much more accurate reading of the thermal conductivity of the ground can be gained from conducting a Thermal Response Test on site.

If vertical ThermalBanks are to be used, it is strongly recommended that a Thermal Response Test is undertaken on the first test borehole to give an accurate measure of the local geology, so that the borehole array can then be correctly sized for your location and the anticipated heating and cooling loads of your building over the seasons.

A TRT is usually undertaken on the first borehole installed in a borehole field to assess the capacity of the ground to store and deliver heat energy. The objective is to match the needs of a building over a long life cycle. Thermal Response Test is used to assess the ground conditions and measure the reaction of flows through ground loops inserted in the bore hole. This is done as a continuous process over three days using a purpose built Thermal Response Test rig. Data is collected on site and then analysed to arrive at the average thermal conductivity for the borehole.

Ground Source Drilling

For an Interseasonal Heat Transfer installation the data from the thermal response test is fed into the Thermal Model to establish the optimum number and depth of boreholes required to service the heating and cooling demands of the building.

See Ground Source Heating       See Ground Source Cooling      See Ground Source Energy