Thermal and economic impact of geothermal passive cooling for eco-house applications in the maritime desert climate

Creating comfortable indoor conditions to avoid heat-related health problems is associated with high power consumption, forcing countries with hot climates to seek alternative solutions. In this study, a geothermal passive cooling system was implemented in the maritime desert climate region in Muscat, Oman. The system consisted of multiple path tube configurations, each 5 m long of 10 cm × 10 cm in cross-section, and was buried 2 m underground. Fins were attached to three tube sides in one path to enhance the heat transfer rate. The path of the finned tube significantly reduced the air outlet temperature. The fins increased the temperature drop by a substantial percentage, often exceeding 100% and sometimes even reaching 300%. Installing the geothermal passive cooling system secured an average temperature drop of 7°C. This drop led to a reduction in electricity bills by 4.58% for finned tubes and 4.17% for unfinned tubes. The overall energy savings achieved by the system was 12.91%, demonstrating its potential for reducing energy consumption in desert climates. Future research should focus on identifying the optimal size for geothermal systems to enhance their thermal performance and economic benefits, developing advanced materials, and integrating the system with renewable technologies to maximize their advantages.