Earth to Air Heat Exchanger and Its Applications in Arid Regions - An Updated Review

Abstract

Earth to Air Heat Exchanger ETAHE or Air Ground Heat Exchanger (AGHE) is a renewable technique based on geothermal source used for many centuries in arid and desert regions and considered as a principal element of vernacular and traditional architecture. Arid regions are characterized by a severe winter and summer weather conditions leads to a large thermal discomfort for the big part of the year. Many researchers studied the potentials of this technique to ensure thermal comfort inside buildings for summer and winter seasons. The present study is a review of numerical, experimental, parametric and economic studies of an earth to air heat exchanger with a focus on its application in semi-arid and arid regions. Using an air-to-ground heat exchanger for thermal comfort requires a deep understanding of geothermal deposits and these natural potentials and particularly in desert and arid regions.